Blood levels after trauma

[SueBas]

Hi all. I have Jak2 polycythaemia. I had a nose accident in April and lost lots of blood. Since then my haematrocrit (.29) and haemoglobin (91) are low and not recovering to their usual levels (.44 and 135). Had few mixed messages whether levels will stabilise and how quickly. Other investigations happening too. Anyone got experience of level rate rise after blood loss. Thanks. Appreciate all your posts. Sue

[cabinetmaker]

Hi Sue. I have JAK2, iron deficient polycythaemia and was hospitalised 3 times between the end of November and January, with internal bleeding. I lost a lot of blood, about 4 units the first time and 3 or so both times after that. My HB got down to 60 and even after multiple blood transfusions, it only got up to 83. It has now very slowly risen to 113, but only with the help of iron supplements and careful monitoring. My iron level at its lowest was 2 and still remains very low, but my specialist says in a normal, healthy person, it would be in excess of 12.

Do you know your blood iron level? Haematologists hate to give us iron, but sometimes, in a controlled way, it is necessary.

I seem to have stabilised at an HB of about 110-113 for the time being. So still fairly anaemic, but it’ll do.

Wishing you all the very best,

Joe.

[SueBas in reply to cabinetmaker]

Thank you so much for replying. Gives me lots of questions to ask when I have a phone appointment next week. I have a blood test next week so I will be prepared. Good to know that your levels have risen after being much lower than mine!! Will ask about iron level and iron supplements.

Thank you again.

Sue

[Ebot]

My iron levels spent some time around the 5 / 6 mark I recall (felt a bit rubbish!) In fact I did take very carefully managed doses of iron. Over time my iron levels have sorted themselves out and are back to within normal range. I’m not sure that the lower haematocrit is necessarily undesirable. At .44 I would have been venesected. Wishing you well.

[SueBas in reply to Ebot]

Thank you. Will wait to see how things settle.

[SueBas in reply to SueBas]

Just a quick update. Was so helpful to have your replies. Requested extra blood test and found out iron level is 4. After checks that not bleeding anywhere else, they will be addressing that. Thanks again. Sue