my mother has been undergoing chemo.. 2 weeks her red blood count was at 8.6 and they recomended a procrit shot, which she consented to despite the possible side effects... Last week her blood count was at 8.3 and she decided not to do the shots anymore ... so thereflore she is doing a transfussion today... Will the count go up immediately and make her feel better and not as weak? Thank you
Hi, Thanks for writing in. The hemoglobin increases immediately with blood transfusion. With each unit of blood transfused the hemoglobin increases by 1 gm/ DL. It is better to give her fresh blood and that will rise her hemoglobin level. She will have more number of blood cells and this will increase oxygen supply which will make her feel better. She will slowly improve and if more transfusion is given over the next week then her hemoglobin level will be maintained at normal. However, she should continue with medicine to increase the hemoglobin because blood transfusion is temporary.