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What exatly happens to you when your blood count gets too low?
At week 44 now and have to go and have an extra blood test next week because my blood count(?) levels are too low, this is about the third time this has happened during treatment and each time I pick up again by the next blood test but I never did ask what happens if they fall below the lowest 'safe' level. Can anyone tell me what happens please?
Jane, red blood cells carry a molecule called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin latches onto inspired oxygen via the lungs and delivers it to the cellular level where processes occur promoting life. Too low of hemoglobin and you don't have enough oxygen carrying capacity. Depending on other co-morbid conditions one may have (cardiovascular disease, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers, several other respiratory diseases) adding an insult of low oxygen carrying capacity may compound things. One may tolerate a low blood count where another (different age, co-morbid conditions) may run into problems. Shortness of breath is a big issue. Increased chest pain in a person with coronary artery disease may occur.
As an ER nurse I've seen people come in with hemoglobins as low as 4 and be alive. This is almost always a process that occurs over weeks and the body has a chance to compensate. They are by no means doing well though and in fact are in trouble.
While on combo therapy my hemoglobin dropped to 8.5. Combo therapy causes the red cells to destruct. It is call a hemolytic anemia. I felt like ****. Poor exercise tolerance and shortness of breath were the main symtoms.
Believe me when I say this. There are many, many things/conditions that can cause a low blood count. Again with combo therapy it is hemolysis or bursting of the cells that cause the issue.
Hope that isn't too complicated for you. It is nice to be in the normal range when having a blood count done. IMHO one cannot really appreciate it until they have acutally taken care of people with anemia or experienced it themself.
Dale
As an ER nurse I've seen people come in with hemoglobins as low as 4 and be alive. This is almost always a process that occurs over weeks and the body has a chance to compensate. They are by no means doing well though and in fact are in trouble.
While on combo therapy my hemoglobin dropped to 8.5. Combo therapy causes the red cells to destruct. It is call a hemolytic anemia. I felt like ****. Poor exercise tolerance and shortness of breath were the main symtoms.
Believe me when I say this. There are many, many things/conditions that can cause a low blood count. Again with combo therapy it is hemolysis or bursting of the cells that cause the issue.
Hope that isn't too complicated for you. It is nice to be in the normal range when having a blood count done. IMHO one cannot really appreciate it until they have acutally taken care of people with anemia or experienced it themself.
Dale
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