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Can Anyone Help Please...

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Nomad:
Andy, I totally agree and I think the biggest problem to do so once a week would be the problem with finding new venes every time. Besides as a patients advocate for Germany I realized that we have a problem to define what's actually a correct transfusion "level". It depends from city to city. We have patients like me getting transfusions at Hb 8,5 -9 and other hospitals who transfusions at 11. Hb. with a post transfusion level of 14. !

Emby:
Hi everyone  :heartred

Can anyone help me to understand reasons why Hb can drop quickly between transfusions please.

 :heartred

Andy Battaglia:
Emby,

Antibody reactions to the blood which accelerate the destruction of red blood cells is a common reason. An overactive spleen can also be the cause. If that is the case, it may be necessary to transfuse more frequently, in order to keep the Hb above 10 at all times, as this will eventually resolve the problem in most patients, and then they can resume their normal transfusion program. Another is the age of the transfused blood. It's best if the blood is as fresh as possible when transfusing regularly.

Emby:
Thank you Andy.

Would a sign for an overactive spleen be an enlarged spleen?

My eldest son's Hb drops quite quickly between transfusions but no enlarged spleen. No antibodies...as far as we know.

Does exercising cause drop in Hb?

 :heartred

Andy Battaglia:
Hi Emby,

Exercise should not lower Hb. Yes, the spleen will enlarge if the blood turnover increases. I would suggest keeping an eye on the size and also any complaints from him about pain in his side.

The best thing to do is get his Hb up over 10, as this is the treatment that works best. He may need to transfuse more frequently at first, but this should resolve the issue. I think he needs to be back on his original transfusion program once this is resolved.

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