Low hemoglobin : I started hemodialysis in... - Kidney Dialysis

Kidney Dialysis

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Low hemoglobin

horsie63 profile image
6 Replies

I started hemodialysis in Aug with an emergency chest catheter. I had 2 units of blood as my hemoglobin was low while in hospital.

Then in hospital again in September and another 2 units of blood. Got my labs today and hemoglobin was 6.8 so they gave me Mircera and iron.

When I did PD I got Mircera and iron but never a transfusion. Does hemodialysis cause worse low hemoglobin? I’m concerned that when I’m able to get back on the transplant list my antibodies will be high.

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horsie63 profile image
horsie63
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6 Replies
Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer

HI, I had an iron infusion in August. Started dialysis in October. It took three months for my hemoglobin to increase and then it went down a bit. So yes, there is a correlation with iron being removed with dialysis. They will monitor it and administer it during dialysis. I asked about how do my numbers affect being on the transplant list and they said they understand that there is a period of adjustment not only for you but for them to write the correct prescription. Give it some time.

horsie63 profile image
horsie63 in reply to Bassetmommer

Last week it was Mircera and today they gave me iron. Both kind of gave me a bad taste while they administered it. I was hungry as all get out so I stopped and got a cheeseburger and fries at the local deli. It was delicious. Luckily my phos and potassium are well in range. I barely pass protein so any I can eat I do.

Bassetmommer profile image
Bassetmommer in reply to horsie63

Good little Horsie.... eat those calories. Thats great. Maybe you'll put the weight on you need. Interesting that the Mircea made you hungry. I had my first shot on Wednesday, and it made my BP go up.

horsie63 profile image
horsie63 in reply to Bassetmommer

I'm not sure it was the Mircera as I'm hungry all the time now. It's so different than the last couple of months on PD where I had no appetite at all and at the point where I went to the hospital the first time I was having trouble eating solid foods. I pretty much lived on Nepro and Kates Farms drinks.

Darlenia profile image
Darlenia

My hubby was on HD for awhile and then PD. He was given EPO injections and iron tablets, no transfusions, during both forms of dialysis. EPO is a great treatment in that it stimulates the body to make iron via the hormone named erythropoietin which is produced by the kidneys. As kidneys fail, hormone production falls leading to low iron and related issues. Ask for EPO infusions and see what they say. Insurance companies fought paying for it a couple of years ago since it was very expensive then. Somehow, my hubby's dialysis center found a way to get them to cover it. Generally speaking, women tend to have higher antibodies than men since most have had babies. I agree with you that keeping those antibodies as low as possible is a good thing to do.

horsie63 profile image
horsie63

They started iron on Thursday and I noticed today another iron infusion...I asked about it and was told every treatment I will get iron. Is this common?

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