Low Iron / Blood Transfusions

Good Morning BAF,
Has anyone had to have blood transfusions for low hemoglobin levels?  My hemoglobin is 6.8 and my doctor wants me to get a blood transfusion. 

Hey Carol !

No I've never had one but my doctor warned me as well of  the possibility of one in the near future if I dont get my Iron right.

I hope you are able to get it up so you wont have to.  I hear liver is a good source of Iron. The thought of a transfusion is  kinda scarey to me.

Hope everything turns out ok for you.

Thanks Plum!  The thought of putting someone else's blood in my body is VERY scary!  I've been doing a lot of research.  I am going to ask my doctor to refer me to a hemotologist to discuss my options.

hi carol...i had several infusions...2x monthly for three months....get hooked up to iv...sit a couple hours...i felt better after bout a month...also took vits faithfully...

My last set of blood work ( June) showed iron-deficiency anemia.  My hemoglobin was 11.5 (normal is 11.7-15.5).  It came as no real surprise due to heavy periods since my teens; been monitoring for it for years & this is the first actual low reading.  Thankfully, everything else is in check; I'm one to take my supplements like clockwork.

I was put on 325mg Ferrous Sulfate tablet (once daily) for 90 days when it is to be re-checked.  Doc said infusion could be in the future if the tablets don't bring it back to normal range.  She suggested I add iron-rich foods to my diet (we already eat spinach-based salad with almost every dinner).

I hope you can get your levels corrected.  Were you given specific foods to add or supplements to take first, then recheck?

I've never had a blood transfusion, but my hemoglobin was 7.5 before, I need to have surg, for a miscarriage, but since then it has also hunted me , and this was three years ago, so I only take multivitamins with iron, once a day, but since I've had this lap band , I take them twice a day, I think you will be fine, go ahead and get the transfusion, right now your red blood cells are calling for oxygen!!!!!   I bet you feel weak don't you, It's very safe, they will cross match your blood type, and before they even start the blood, the blood labels are checked about five times, and signed off that all numbers/letters match ........

Low Iron....this is my life. I recommend that you make an appt with a hemotologist. They have better drugs. I have had infusions and drugs...but not transfusions....those are usually after everything else.