What causes low hemoglobin levels?
Patient: My husband  has had low hemoglobin for about 6 mos.  No one can seem to find where he's bleeding inside..  Also has congestive heart failure.. I think the blood prob is making him so weak..  He 's been in  out of hospitals & rehabs for 6-7 mos.  Nothing is helping..  Any ideas of what to do   I'm really stressed & worried.. Doctor: HiLow haemoglobin levels are caused byA slightly low hemoglobin count isn't always a sign of illness — it may be normal for some people. Women who are pregnant commonly have low hemoglobin counts.Low hemoglobin counts associated with diseases and conditionsA low hemoglobin count can be associated with a disease or condition that causes your body to have too few red blood cells. This can occur if:Your body produces fewer red blood cells than usualYour body destroys red blood cells faster than they can be producedYou experience blood lossDiseases and conditions that cause your body to produce fewer red blood cells than normal include:Aplastic anemiaCancerCertain medications, such as anti-retroviral drugs for HIV infection and chemotherapy drugs for cancer and other conditionsChronic kidney diseaseCirrhosis (scarring of the liver)Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease)Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)Iron deficiency anemiaLead poisoningLeukemiaMultiple myelomaMyelodysplastic syndromesNon-Hodgkin's lymphomaVitamin deficiency anemiaDiseases and conditions that cause your body to destroy red blood cells faster than they can be made include:Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)HemolysisPorphyriaSickle cell anemiaThalassemiaVasculitis (blood vessel inflammation)A low hemoglobin count can also be due to blood loss, which can occur because of:Bleeding from a woundBleeding in your digestive tract, such as from ulcers, cancers or hemorrhoidsBleeding in your urinary tractFrequent blood donationMenorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom.The treatment of the anemia varies greatly. First, the underlying cause of the anemia needs to be identified and corrected. For example, anemia as a result of blood loss from a stomach ulcer should begin with medications to heal the ulcer. Likewise, surgery is often necessary to remove a colon cancer that is causing chronic blood loss and anemia.Sometimes iron supplements will also be needed to correct iron deficiency. In severe anemia, blood transfusions may be necessary. Vitamin B12 injections will be necessary for patients suffering from pernicious anemia or other causes of B12 deficiency.In certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure, epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production.In certain patients with bone marrow disease (or bone marrow damage from chemotherapy) or patients with kidney failure, epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) may be used to stimulate bone marrow red blood cell production.If a medication is thought to be the culprit, then it should be discontinued under the direction of the prescribing doctor.RegardsDR DE