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Anemia Center - Harlingen, TX

Harlingen Hematologist Doctors for Anemia

Type of Physician: Hematologist

What is a Hematologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine or Pathology; Hematologists treat diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands such as anemia, clotting disorders, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, leukemia, and lymphoma. They perform special types of transfusions and biopsy the bone marrow for analysis.

Specialty: Hematology

Common Name: Blood Doctor

Harlingen, Texas

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Anemia

What is anemia?

Anemia is a medical condition in which the red blood cell count or hemoglobin is less than normal. The normal level of hemoglobin is generally different in males and females. For men, anemia is typically defined as hemoglobin level of less than 13.5 gram/100ml and in women as hemoglobin of less than 12.0 gram/100ml. These definitions may vary slightly depending on the source and the laboratory reference used.

What causes anemia?

Any process that can disrupt the normal life span of a red blood cell may cause anemia. Normal life span of a red blood cell is typically around 120 days. Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

Anemia is caused essentially through two basic pathways. Anemia is either caused:

  1. by a decrease in production of red blood cell or hemoglobin, or
  2. by a loss or destruction of blood.

As more common classifications of anemia (low hemoglobin) is based on the MCV, or the volume of individual red blood cells.

  1. If the MCV is low (less than 80), the anemia is categorized as microcytic anemia (low cell volume).
  2. If the MCV is in the normal range (80-100), it is called a normocytic anemia (normal cell volume).
  3. If the MCV is high, then it is called a macrocytic anemia (large cell volume).

Looking at each of the components of a complete blood count (CBC), especially the MCV, a physician can gather clues as what may be the most common reason for anemia.

Can not enough iron cause anemia?

Absolutely! This is because iron is major component of hemoglobin and essential for its proper function. Chronic blood loss due to any reason is the main cause of low iron level in the body as it depletes the body's iron stores to compensate for the ongoing loss of iron. Anemia that is due to l...

Recommended Reading Related to Anemia

Orthostatic Hypotension »

What is orthostatic hypotension?

When a person stands up from sitting or lying down, the body must work to adjust to that change in position. It is especially important for the body to push blood upward and supply the brain with oxygen. If the body fails to do this adequately, blood pressure falls, and a person may feel lightheaded or even pass out. Orthostatic hypotension is the term used to describe the fall in blood pressure when a person stands (orthostatic= upright posture of the body; hypo= less + tension=pressure).

Adequate blood supply to the body's organs depends upon three factors:

  1. a heart strong enough to pump,
  2. arteries and veins that are able to constrict or squeeze, and
  3. enough blood and fluid within the vessels.

When the body changes position, a variety of actions occur involving all parts of the cardiovascular system as well as the autonomic nervous system that helps regulat...

Emergency Contact for Harlingen

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Harlingen Hospitals *

Valley Baptist Medical Center
2101 Pease St
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)389-1100

Harlingen Medical Center
5501 S Expressway 77
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956)365-1000

Brownsville Doctors Hospital
4750 N Expressway
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956)554-2000

Knapp Medical Center
1401 E 8th St
Weslaco, TX 78596
(956)968-8567

Valley Regional Medical Center
100 A Alton Gloor Blvd
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956)350-7000

Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville
1040 W Jefferson St
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956)544-1400

Cornerstone Regional Hospital
2302 Cornerstone Blvd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)618-4444

Edinburg Regional Medical Center
1102 W Trenton Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)388-6000

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus North
5101 N Jackson Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956)926-7000

Doctors Hospital At Renaissance
5501 S McColl Rd
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956)661-7100

McAllen Heart Hospital
1900 South D St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)994-2401

Rio Grande Regional Hospital
101 E Ridge Rd
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-6000

McAllen Medical Center
301 W Expressway 83
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)632-4000

LifeCare Hospitals of South Texas McAllen Campus South
2001 South M St
Mcallen, TX 78503
(956)688-4300

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