blood transfusions and UC

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 737

Posted 8/25/2007 12:56 PM (GMT -6)

Has anyone had a blood transfusion because of low levels of hameoglobin due to UC? If so what was your hameoglobin when you had the transfusion? Did it give you your energy back straightaway? Any side effects

Thanks

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 32663

Posted 8/25/2007 5:45 PM (GMT -6)

Never needed one. Curious why you're asking.

q

flchurchlady

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 2765

Posted 8/25/2007 6:07 PM (GMT -6)

I received blood once due to severe anemia. My hemoglobin was a 6, when it should have been 12. I started feeling better within a couple of days and had no bad side effects.

kav

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 63

Posted 8/25/2007 7:14 PM (GMT -6)

Hi - Yes, I had to have a transfussion about 2 1/2 years ago. My Hemoglobbin was 76. The normal range for a male of my age at the time was 135-190. I didn't notice much of a difference but I only got one unit. Probably should have had two.

Another UC wife

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2007

Posts : 2111

Posted 8/25/2007 9:09 PM (GMT -6)

Not sure what the count was (it was low...and they took a 2nd test to confirm the count) but my husband got 2 units and part of a 3rd one in May while admitted. It didn't seem to make a really big difference in the energy department. He is on 3 iron pills a day and just started B12 shots. Hemoglobin last set of labs was ok but the B12 is just below normal and they want to build it up.

His combination of meds and the UC itself just keeps you worn out it seems.

damo123

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 737

Posted 8/26/2007 3:06 AM (GMT -6)

Thanks for all those comments.

Quincy,

My H/globin was low when I got my severe attack in May. Family-history of low iron problems and I've struggled to get it back up. I find it very hard to take iron tablets - bad reaction on tummy. I was wondering whether there is other ways to get your iron levels up.

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 32663

Posted 8/26/2007 8:23 AM (GMT -6)

Oh, didn't realise. Hope you find a solution. You should also have your B12 level checked..can sometimes be a factor in iron levels.

q

Jjc2007

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 194

Posted 8/26/2007 9:18 AM (GMT -6)

When my UC came on, it was sudden, fast and furious. But it took them a while to diagnose it....
By the time I got to the hospital, my count was down to 2, and I needed six blood transfusions, even before they figured out it was UC. After that, I never needed another one, nor did I take iron.
One other time, my count dropped to 11 but I just ate well, rested and it came back to normal.

Also, since I have the characteristics of Thalassemia (a genetic disiorder of Mediterranean people), which means my red blood cells tend to be all small instead of varied in size, they do not like to prescribe iron. With this form of anemia, you have plenty of iron, it just is not carried efficiently. I have been told that it is not good to overdosed with iron.

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