Weight loss, mild fever, anemia

[Rk2727]

My friend, age 58, retired few months back, started loosing weight two months back without apparent reason. He lost 9kg in 2mths now at 83kg. He has also soar throat and cough for last 2 months  for which he was taking Ayurvedic medicine Septilin which used to be effective in past but not this time. He went to Doctor MD Medicine, who found that he has fever of 100.8 degree but patient has no feeling of fever but has feeling of weakness. He also has Piles and had bleeding 2mnths back for 5days. Dr. advised blood test and X-ray and sputum test. Tests revealed low haemoglobin of 7mg and high ESR 80. X-ray is clear. Sputum shown no TB bacteria, no thyroid imbalance, no jaundice, no diabitis. Dr. gave him Cifran first for 5 days and then Azithrol for 3 days with cetrizine and Orofer tabs and GRD powder. He also advised him to keep records of temperature and weight. Temperature  in morng remains between 99 & 99.6 and in the evening between 100 & 100.8. No relief till now except little throat recovery. What may be the cause. please suggest.
RK

[grannymac08]

RK,

You said your friend's hemoglobin is 7 and he didn't get transfused?  That's half of what it should be!!!!!  Seriously, an hgb of 7 is dangerously low, and he should get a second opinion on that, unless it's risen since you posted.  No wonder you're friend is very, very weak!  Just think...if he's having a low hgb (hemoglobin) - which carries oxygen, plus breathing problems...he not only doesn't have enough oxygen carrying capacity, but not enough oxygen itself to carry around!  The low hgb could be from the piles, but they'd be having to be bleeding quite a bit!  

I am anemic too, but it's the 'anemia of chronic illness' and usually strikes when I have a flare (COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or mixed bag, depending on which doc you talk to); I've had to be transfused 6 times in 4 years due to this.  Here in the United States, you are usually transfused when your hgb reaches 8.5 or below.  I walked around with hgb's of 9 and 10 for a long time, and now, they usually hover at around 10-11 (12-14 is normal).  When I get below 9, I KNOW it...I'm extremely SOB (um...might be that too!); weak and pale.

Take care!

GrannyMac