Chemo induced anemia

[Vsahay]

My father has had 2 cycles of docetaxel chemo and his Hb is 8.2 g/dl while RBC is 2.96 mcL.

Due to this, the next chemo has been postponed by a week

The MO says the only way anemia can be dealt is blood transfusion if Hb goes below 8 g/dl.

Should we go ahead with next cycle or wait till Hb level gets better.

Is there no alternative to blood transfusion for treating anemia.

*Iron ,TIBC are in normal range while ferritin above normal limits.

Kindly let me know if anyone here has had a similar experience.

Thanks

[Danielgreer]

Hi Vsahay, I suggest listening to your MO and waiting a week and then checking labs again. I have a similar issue where my platelets are low and I’m waiting a week for them to recover. I’m receiving Docetaxel and Carboplatin. My MO said it’s normal to have a one week delay to let blood counts recover while on chemo.

[Tall_Allen]

Think of the low red blood cells as a symptom of bone marrow suppression and not the disease itself. It is best to give some time for the bone marrow to recover. The problem is not low iron or lack of proteins to transport iron, so supplements are useless, and iron supplements may be toxic (the last thing he needs now!). A transfusion is a short-term solution that may be useful if his bone marrow doesn't recover soon. Best to wait.