Lily
What happens more often than not?
I wanted my first post to be on a burning Anaemia topic, to interest everyone immediately. But endlessly going through those few CBC Test options for topics that I was asked to speak about, I realised that I couldn’t do it cool and exciting 🤦♀
It’s amazing.
Explaining Concepts with Ease at Work
At work, I can easily explain any process in the body to patients by finding the most unusual (or, on the contrary, ordinary and therefore very understandable) associations. For example, today, I talked about haemoglobin and oxygen using the example of suitcases and baggage handlers at the airport. And they told me that no one had explained it so clearly for a long time. (What does a smiley of pride in yourself look like?)
But for several days now, as soon as I sit down to write for my blog, it turns out dry and clever, and I understand that if I were a patient, I would not read such things. I subscribe to many medical blogs and often like to read only what is simple and fun without abstruse reasoning and links to articles. 🤦♀
After all, the CBC questions my test patients ask me daily are the same for everyone else. I want you, my dear readers, to tell me how much this is what is needed and what exactly needs to be changed in the format.
Starting with Haemoglobin
Let’s go ahead and get started. And since we have already mentioned haemoglobin and red blood cells, it is most logical to start with this and talk about anaemia.
Erythrocytes are often shown as red cells in pictures, but they aren’t actually red themselves. Their color comes from the divalent iron atom they contain. Understanding the valence is important because when iron supplements are prescribed (which can be either divalent or trivalent), the divalent form is absorbed more efficiently. This is because it resembles the native iron found in erythrocytes. While the body can also absorb trivalent iron, it typically absorbs it 3-4 times less efficiently.
Haemoglobin is a protein found in our erythrocytes and binds (attaches to itself) oxygen. One small protein can carry as many as 4! Oxygen molecules in its arms.
When Erythrocytes or Haemoglobin Is Low
Anaemia is actually when the amount of erythrocytes and haemoglobin in erythrocytes in the blood becomes lower than normal.
However, the most common type of anaemia occurs when there are enough cells but little haemoglobin (because if it is not in the red cell, it cannot be counted).
That is, for some reason, a person has few oxygen carriers. All tissues of the body stop receiving enough of this valuable gas, and the body first compensates for this as best it can – it makes the heart beat faster so that the blood runs faster in the hope of distributing oxygen to all those who suffer, but this cannot continue for long. The heart is a muscle, and muscles can get tired from excessive work💁♀Therefore, if you are concerned about constant weakness, fatigue, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, brittle nails and hair (the body saves on them first of all, when the body lacks something) and later shortness of breath is added to this, you should take a general CBC Complete blood test and consult a doctor.
What could be the reasons? Why does haemoglobin go away?
Common Causes
- Blood loss (e.g., haemorrhoids, heavy menstruation, surgery)
- Gastric ulcers and intestinal polyps that prevent iron absorption
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Bone marrow diseases
- Chemotherapy
- Kidney failure
- Atypical haemoglobin structures
What Is Important?
But why do Anaemia tested people take iron supplements? After all, we mentioned iron only once at the beginning, when we said it is in the red cell, which is why it is red.
Iron helps haemoglobin attach to the red cell and then attach oxygen to itself. This is such a complex structure.
Therefore, iron is most often lacking as an intermediary in this chain. Iron must be absorbed with food in the gastrointestinal tract, and the body does not produce iron alone!!! Only with food.
If more iron is needed for haemoglobin, it is stored in the liver and waits for its time. Also, when cells die of old age (they live 120 days), their iron goes to work for the next red cells.
Conclusion for CBC Full Count tests. Iron preparations should contain divalent iron. It is reasonable to evaluate the result of drug therapy after 3 months because this is the life cycle of the red cells.
Final Thoughts
It seems that it still did not turn out quite as I wanted, but that’s how the words and thoughts came together 😆
————
Alice
I need some help from a doctor
The situation is as follows: A relative (girl, 19 years old) has very low haemoglobin, in the last analysis from 25.01.24 – 53 g / l. A month ago, in December, when it was at the level of 70 g / l.
Attempts at Treatment and Challenges
She was admitted to the hospital. During the treatment, the idea of a transfusion was categorically rejected; talking about possible complications, they tried to drip iron in the hospital – hives began, they sent her to drink Forum Lek – without effect.
Medical History and Complications
The patient has a complex medical history that complicates treatment options:
- Interstitial nephritis, with frequent exacerbations
- Possible kidney tuberculosis
- Polyvalent drug allergy (including anaphylaxis and Quincke’s oedema)
- Bronchial asthma
- Hematuria
- Amenorrhea (elevated CA-125 levels, and a cyst)
Doctor’s Concerns Regarding Treatment
CBC Doctors have expressed concerns about the Anaemia risks of tests and treatment:
- Transfusion Risk: Due to her allergy history, doctors are reluctant to perform a transfusion, fearing potential reactions.
- Hematopoiesis: There is also concern that a transfusion might disrupt cell production.
- Iron Supplementation: The regional haematologist recommended iron supplementation, but the allergist is not willing to take responsibility for the treatment, given her complex allergy profile.
The result is that there is no treatment. Please help me figure out whether it is impossible or whether these are some kind of unfounded fears, like “maybe, maybe not”?