Hello doctor, My husband's hemoglobin is 3.7 g/dL, but the hemoglobin level was 5 g/dL when we checked it two days back. His RBC and WBC are also going down. What can be the reason?
Hi. Your husband's hemoglobin and WBC count are going down very fast, it is not normal. For such low hemoglobin levels, blood transfusion is needed immediately. A peripheral smear examination should be done, to look for schistocytes like fragmented RBC and normoblast count. Reticulocyte count, serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), serum bilirubin, etc., need to be checked. These reports will rule out hemolytic anemia, which causes hemolysis, leading to a rapid decrease in hemoglobin. Hypersplenism and blood septicemia (blood infection), can suppress the bone marrow, which can also be presented like this. A blood DCT (direct Coombs test) has to be done, to look for autoimmune hemolytic anemia. For hemoglobinopathy induced low hemoglobin, Folic acid and Hydroxyurea are given. So, consult a nearby physician as soon as possible, to identify the cause, clinical and physical examinations need to be done. For more information consult a hematologist online -->