Anemia (cont.)
What does a low hemoglobin level mean?
Low hemoglobin is called anemia. When there is a low
hemoglobin level, there is often a low red blood cell count and a low
hematocrit, too. Reference ranges are slightly different from one source to
another, but typically hemoglobin of less than 13.5 is abnormal in men less than 12.0 in women.
What is the hematocrit?
The hematocrit is specifically a measure of how much of the blood is made of red cells. The hematocrit is a very convenient way to determine whether the red blood cell count is too high, too low, or normal. The hematocrit is a measure of the proportion of blood that is composed of the red blood cells.
How is hematocrit determined?
The RBCs in the sample of blood are packed down by spinning the tube in a centrifuge under prescribed conditions. The proportion of the tube that consists of RBCs is then measured. Let's say that it is 45%. The hematocrit is 45.
How is anemia treated?
The treatment of the anemia varies greatly. First, the
underlying cause of the anemia should be identified and corrected. For example,
anemia as a result of blood loss from a stomach ulcer should begin with
medications to heal the ulcer. Likewise, surgery is often necessary to remove a
colon cancer that is causing chronic blood loss and anemia.
Sometimes iron supplements will also be needed to correct iron deficiency. In severe anemia, blood transfusions may be necessary. Vitamin B12 injections will be necessary for patients suffering from pernicious anemia or other causes of B12 deficiency.
In certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure,
epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production.
If a medication is thought to be the culprit, then it should be discontinued under the direction of the prescribing doctor.
Next: What are the complications of anemia? »
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