HB

[flipperfun]

Hi everyone, my HB count has now gone down to 10, I am back on EPO but not Venofer.  How low will my count get before I am prescribed Venofer again?  Is there a set standard?  Does this depend on gender and body weight?  I am female and very small.  My bloods went so low earlier this year I required a blood transfusion.  I do not want to feel like that again.

Thanks

[jeannea]

I think that you're confusing 2 different results. When your hemoglobin goes too low, you get epo. But to get venofer or a similar iron product, your levels of iron have to be low enough. They can't just give you iron all the time because too high iron is dangerous also. Low hemoglobin does not necessarily mean your iron levels are low enough for an infusion. You'll need to ask your nurse to test iron also and tell you the result.

[flipperfun]

Thank you jeanna.  Sorry I did not know that.  I thought they were linked.  I rarely have Venofer and only seem to have a couple of doses before they stop it again.  I have had my monthly bloods taken recently but do not know what my iron levels are.

Many thanks.

[jeannea]

No need to be sorry. You're learning this disease like the rest of us.

[ESRD Survivor]

My wonderful unit let my HB got from 12 to 9 to 8.1, they blamed it on me having the flu.  Why they let it go to 8.1 before giving me epo is beyond me.  They have been giving me iron too, so it must of gotten low.  I think it takes a few weeks for the epo to start bring your levels back up.

[sullidog]

I thought epo didn't work without iron?

[sullidog]

I didn't think epo worked without iron?

[lmunchkin]

EPO works better with iron!  If your iron is too low, the EPO is useless!  Whenever they put you on EPO, always ask about your iron levels or request your iron levels be shown to you.  Red Blood cells work more efficiently with iron, otherwise they have nothing to build on!

lmunchkin