HGB levels

I just recently had a baby and had blood work done about three weeks post pardum.   Im a little concerened because my hgb levels were 4.01 grams/dl and HCT was 11.5%.  Should I be concerned and what could have caused my levels to be so low?  Should I also get retested and look into it further?  


Thanks

Jen

[Enoch Choi, MD]

it needs to be rechecked, if it really is this low, it's possibly life threateningly low and you may need a transfusion

[vic_m]

are you having any symptoms? with that kind of a blood profile you should be having palpitations, maybe chest pain, shortness of breath from climbing stairs etc...

normal hemoglobin is 12-16 g/dl for women, and crit is 36-46%

your values are real low. were the results discussed with you now that you have them? what did your doc say?

if you're not having symptoms and feel fine, and doc didn't call you in for followup, you can call in and make sure it's been seen.

[lulu728]

I actually feel good.  no palpitations or anything just tired due to late night feedings.  im planning for a full physical in about a week with my primary health doctor.  What could my results be a cause of and is it anything to cause concern?   What can be a possible diagnoses with that kind of test result?

[vic_m]

possible causes could be many. blood loss could cause it... you recently delivered. still seems low. you may or may not have symptoms based on your fitness level and age. young people in good cardiovascular health can compensate for a fairly large amount of blood loss before being symptomatic. still... it's pretty low.

maybe a lab error.

like i said, it can mean a lot of things and without knowing more about your history and current health it would be hard to pin it down.

see what the primary care doc says and post back.