low hemoglobin: my dad has a hemoglobin... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,348 members28,110 posts

low hemoglobin

alysona828 profile image
20 Replies

my dad has a hemoglobin of 10. He has been dizzy, and had a rash(Unclear if the two are related- - PCP said possibly ). Also low appetite. Just completed radiation Jan 3 and started the Lupron end of November. Radiation was done to prostate and to met on hip bone.

Anyone have insight into what is this caused by (is it the cancer itself, the radiation or the Lupron??) and can he be treated? Oncologist will be calling today.

Written by
alysona828 profile image
alysona828
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
20 Replies
Nusch profile image
Nusch

I was also low on hemoglobin and red blood cells during cancer regimen and I received Aranesp injections weekly for six weeks. I was also low in iron and received a respective injection. My blood levels came almost back to normal. Please ask your oncologist about these options.

Purple-Bike profile image
Purple-Bike in reply toNusch

Did you experience any side effects from ARANESP?

Nusch profile image
Nusch in reply toPurple-Bike

No, none.

alysona828 profile image
alysona828 in reply toNusch

Thank you very much

timotur profile image
timotur

Basically, radiation can damage stem cells in bone marrow causing aplastic anemia.

cancernetwork.com/view/anem...

ndtv.com/health/9-foods-tha...

alysona828 profile image
alysona828 in reply totimotur

Thank you

SpencerBoy11 profile image
SpencerBoy11

My radiation caused me to develop myelodysplastic syndromes--MDS. My current hemoglobin is 10.2. A bone marrow biopsy would be necessary to confirm it. I get short dizzy spells. Unfortunately, the cure is a transplant and it only works about 40 % of the time.

alysona828 profile image
alysona828 in reply toSpencerBoy11

I’m sorry to hear this 😔 thank you for sharing your experience

Sailing-Todd profile image
Sailing-Todd

My husband’s haemoglobin went down to 10 at diagnosis. He had blood transfusions after surgery on his hip which kept it at around 10.

He then took iron tablets for around six months which brought it up to 13. This was 18 months ago and it has remained stable. He eats red meat approximately twice a week, other meals are vegetarian, fish or occasional cooked/processed meat (don’t judge, we have a local bakery that makes the most amazing sausages 😁).

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply toSailing-Todd

No judge........ just the address of the local bakery......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

Sailing-Todd profile image
Sailing-Todd in reply toj-o-h-n

birdsbakery.com/ the best cakes ever. Probably what got us into this mess!🤫

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply toSailing-Todd

Thanks for the info....... I'll stop by next time I sail across the pond....Stay Well

p.s. What got us all into this mess...... is we were born males........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

pe43 profile image
pe43 in reply toSailing-Todd

Did your husband get a blood test to measure total iron?

Sailing-Todd profile image
Sailing-Todd in reply tope43

Hi Pe43, just a straight Hb as far as I know.

pe43 profile image
pe43 in reply toSailing-Todd

Thanks. I was interested because I have low hemoglobin, and I learned it can be due to low testosterone after ADT and also to low iron.

alysona828 profile image
alysona828 in reply tope43

Thanks for this. Just curious are you on Lupron? How are you doing otherwise, are you responding to treatment? My dads iron went up to 10.2… wondering if the doc will take action at this point….

pe43 profile image
pe43 in reply toalysona828

Yes, I'm on lupron (Eligard) and also abiraterone (Zytiga). I'm doing well with these drugs, my testosterone and PSA are both basically undetectable. But my hemoglobin is down to 10 g/dL, probably caused by the low testosterone, which is needed to make hemoglobin. It could also be caused by low iron, which is also needed to make hemoglobin. My iron is now 47 ug/dL (normal is 49-181). Low iron can be caused by internal bleeding somewhere, or by diet. You wrote 'My dads iron went up to 10.2', I'm not sure what that means, is that for hemoglobin?

alysona828 profile image
alysona828 in reply tope43

Sorry I meant hemoglobin. He was at 9.9 -about 3 weeks ago (he was also dizzy and not feeling well at this time) and now he’s up to 10.1 but feeling much better. I am not happy with that hemoglobin level no matter how he feels but what do I know?

I actually don’t know his iron levels. Doctor hasn’t called yet to share if he’s going to take action. Doc had made a comment that he “waves the flag if “ hemoglobin goes down to 8 range. But not sure totally what that means.

Glad to hear you are doing well on Lupron. Dad has PSA test early April.

pe43 profile image
pe43 in reply toalysona828

I believe a hemoglobin value of 8 is seriously low, it may require a blood infusion. There are drugs that are used to stimulate red blood cell production, if necessary. You may want to request an iron test, it could be done at the same time as the PSA test, that's what I asked for.

Sailing-Todd profile image
Sailing-Todd

birdsbakery.com/ the best cakes ever. Probably what got us into this mess!🤫

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Xtandi/ UTI with Foley/ low hemoglobin

This is going to be too long! It my first attempt at connecting with this group. I have learned so...
Abigayle profile image

Low hemoglobin

Hi all, My husband Scott was recently taken off of Pluvicto after four treatments because his...

Chemo+ radiation+combo hormone therapy

Hi all, My father is on his third cycle of taxotere and recently switched doctors within the same...
anya6 profile image

Should PSA be checked during hormone treatment while waiting for radiation?

In August, my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer (Gleason 8; PSA 22). In October, he was...

One med or two??

Is it better to do the lupron shot alone? or is it better to take the lupron with xtandi? My...
Granica4818 profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.