Hb rate

[masakhwe]

Iam just wondering about my child coz his Hb is always 7-8. it means it cant go higher than that because of sickle cell disease. it drops and then goes up what might be the poblem. pls advice

[SCSZoe Partner Sickle Cell Society]

Hello. Sickle cell is often also known as "sickle cell anaemia" because it causes anaemia. Your child's Hb level is low because of the sickle cell. You mention that it drops and goes up--do you mean between 7 and 8? If so, that's not a problem--iron levels fluctuate, and it's not a big discrepancy. Even two different labs testing the exact same sample of blood might return results that different, because at the end of the day it's a small difference and there is a margin of error in tests. 

To possibly increase your child's Hb, make sure they take folic acid every day, which helps make new red blood cells. You can buy supplements in any health shop. Vegetables that are dark green in colour such as kale, collard greens, spinach or broccoli will also help. 

[NikiA]

That's about normal for a child with SCD. My son's has been about the same for over 10 years. 

Don't worry about it, their bodies learn to adjust to it and it becomes their normal. 

Remember the anaemia in sickle cell anaemia means they are permanently anaemic. 

[BristolOne]

With Sickle Cell, the HB will go down when you are tired, fighting an infection or sickling. A natural HB rate of 7-8 for a sickler is in the upper scales. If you are thinking of boosting your child's HB then discuss HydroxyUrea with your child's hematologist.

[DMBBMS]

Hi Mas,

As the others have mentioned the reported results can differ even within the same Full blood count analyser in the same day and the results your child are getting are probably within "normal range" for their condition.

SCD also occurs across a spectrum dependent on both genetic and environmental factors, and some will present with more severe anaemia than others under different stresses such as infection and exercise.

The main points to focus on are if there are few or no sickling events/crisis', a High enough Hb F level and they are relatively healthy and vigorous I would say the underlying treatment is successful. I can undertsand the distress such a "low" Hb would cause in an individual without SCD but as mentioned above and here 7 - 6 g/dL is likely "normal range" for SCD.

However if you're child is presenting with increased sickling events, is suffering from the anaemia or even if you are concerned about your treatment try to discuss it with either the lead clinician dealing with the treatment or the genetic counselling team who will be able to go through your child's condition and treatment program and either adjust if required and hopefully alleviate your concerns.

Keep well

Dan B 

[Meeshie81]

I echo all the advice given above.  Just to let you know that I am an adult with Sickle Cell Anaemia and my Hb levels fluctuate between 7.5-8.5 g/dL. So please don't worry 

[masakhwe]

thank you so much for the replies coz they atleast i have a peace of mind