Hemoglobin level

[Guest]

I have my appt. with a cardiac surgeon tomorrow to discuss surgery. Among other things, I am concerned about my hemoglobin level. My cardio drew blood 3 weeks ago when I had my stress echo....and was concerned that I might be slightly anemic with a reading of 11.3....
I consulted with my internist just in case this SOB etc, might be caused by something other than my leaky valves.....he said my hemoglobin in July was 12.6 and that sometimes red blood cells get broken in turbulent blood flow (i.e. regurgitation). He also checked to make sure that I was neither iron or B12 deficient (not)

Has anyone else had a concern with hemoglobin levels? Have you heard this explanation?
Since the red blood cells carry the oxygen....especially to the brain....and since that is a concern anyway with heart-lung machines....this will be on my list of questions to discuss!

Pat

 

[Lily]

This might be what is called hemolysis.

My uncle's doctors recently suspected his defective native aortic valve might have been causing hemolysis for him -- and I was under the impression that having a native valve cause it was an unusual situation and it is more frequently caused by a mechanical valve -- though I didn't hear the final diagnosis about Uncle's situation. But it was at least one reason he was recommended to get a porcine valve.

Hoping you'll get the answers you need and be okay .

 

[Guest]

Lily--
Thanks. You are right. When I consulted with a surgeon prior to scheduling the surgery he told me. I guess the worsening leakage is producing this. At any rate at least I don't have to eat liver!

Pat

 

[Lily]

Lily--
Thanks. You are right. When I consulted with a surgeon prior to scheduling the surgery he told me. I guess the worsening leakage is producing this. At any rate at least I don't have to eat liver!

Pat

Ugh, liver . On second thought, Trader Joe's has a really good liver and truffle mousse pate' .

Did the surgeon think you needed surgery soon?

[edit - I saw another of your posts regarding your upcoming surgery and replied to it.]

 

[ALCapshaw2]

This might be what is called hemolysis.

My uncle's doctors recently suspected his defective native aortic valve might have been causing hemolysis for him -- and I was under the impression that having a native valve cause it was an unusual situation and it is more frequently caused by a mechanical valve -- though I didn't hear the final diagnosis about Uncle's situation. But it was at least one reason he was recommended to get a porcine valve.

Hoping you'll get the answers you need and be okay .

One of the improvements designed into the On-X valves is to reduce damage to the Red Blood Cells. I have seen data showing hemolysis levels for the On-X mechanical valves being comparable to Tissue Valves.

 

[traveler]

I had a lot of trouble with hemoglobin levels getting ready for surgery. I was always 10.1, 10.2, 10.0, 9.9, ... you get the idea. It seemed like it was checked 1-2 times a week for a month or more. Part of the time I was having blood drawn for an autologous blood transfusion and the surgeon kept worrying about my blood chemistry. He told me it was the only thing he worried about in my case. I was healthy, active, etc. He told me the same thing after surgery.

He thought it was because I was generally a vegetarian and I was a bit thin (not skinny - just not heavy). After surgery he told to make sure to gain weight, or at least not to lose weight. Recommended gaining 10 pounds - I managed to gain 30-40, I blamed it on the beta blocker and am trying different beta blocker.

Anyway the surgeon recommended clams and I ate a lot of clams. A whole lot of clams. I don't know if it helped, but generally I stayed above 10 which seemed to be a critical level in everyone's mind. They wouldn't draw blood below 10.

So you might try clams.

traveler --