Question:
what does it mean to have a low hgb and hct count.

I had my open bypass 3 years ago and am now having troblem with my bood count being to low and I need to know what that means because all my doc told me to do was take 2 slow fe twice a day.My hgb is 6.1 and my hct 27.1?    — diannehenry (posted on September 15, 2005)

September 15, 2005
This is your hemaglobin & hematacrit. It means you are becoming anemic. your blood cell count is low. Take the slow fe it is iron and will help. It will bring your cell count up. Iron is what binds oxygen to your blood and transports it all over. VERY IMPORTANT to keep your follow ups with your DR. Keep a close eye on this.
   — Kimberly C.

September 15, 2005
Dianne, what this means is exactly what the first poster said. I can't stress enough what this could possibly do to you as the same thing happened to me. I too am 3 years post-op and at the beginning of this year had to go thru a blood transfusion and a series of iron IV's because of it. I am now back on track, but it is VERY imparative that you keep in close contact with your doctor and keep having your blood work checked on. My hemoglobin was at 6 when my doctor decide to do the blood transfusion and my HCT was at 2! I was at a more serious state when this happened but I do have information on my site about this if you want to read up about it. Just keep taking care of yourself!
   — Carole M.

September 16, 2005
I work in a lab and this website has been beneficial to me. It explains the when and why of most lab tests. This link is for HCT, but if you go up to the tests drop down menu you will find hemoglobin. Good luck and God Bless~ Heather http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hematocrit/test.html
   — heatherevond

October 27, 2005
I just got my first iron infusion today. I go Monday to have a port put in and get more infusions on Monday and again on Wednesday. My feelings are so hurt. The Dr. has told me that iron supplements just will not work and iron rich foods just want do it either. my iron saturation is like 3 (20+ being normal). Hemoglobin is up from 7.8. Dr. says I'll contend with this the rest of my life. Today as the nurse was trying to get the I.V. in (7th stick) she ask if I would have this surgery all over again...I said yeah, I would. I'm almost 4 yrs out from open bypass, still down well over a hundred pounds but dealing with this, dyverticulitus and who knows what else that they haven't found yet...(I'm so sure I spelled that d word up there wrong). Good Luck.
   — connie R.