My hemoglobin was 7.8. A blood transfusion brought it up to 9.8. And now 2 weeks later its back down to 8.6.?

Question

My doctors thought I had Ulcerative Colitis but that was just ruled out? So what is it? The main symptom I have is bleeding from my colon. I've already had 2 transfusions. I have 2 doctors stumped! They took samples and still don't know.....I'm only 24 that rules out a lot right there, any thoughts?

Answer 1

Your age rules out nothing. Have you been checked for colon cancer?

Men, young and old can get Colon, Prostate, and Breast cancer.

It's something to talk to your Doctor about since it's more dangerous in young men.


I speak from exp. I had a friend who was 22 and found out he had Colon Cancer. Not trying to scare you, but it's never something to ignore.

Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

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RE:
My hemoglobin was 7.8. A blood transfusion brought it up to 9.8. And now 2 weeks later its back down to 8.6.?
My doctors thought I had Ulcerative Colitis but that was just ruled out? So what is it? The main symptom I have is bleeding from my colon. I've already had 2 transfusions. I have 2 doctors stumped! They took samples and still don't know.....I'm only 24 that rules out a lot right there,...

Answer 3

I am guessing you are in the US - we don't usually transfuse in the UK til haemoglobin is lower than that.

You mention rectal blood loss - what colour and what amount? How has UC been ruled out?

If a bright red then its likley to be the lower gastrointestinal tract (small or large bowel). Options include:
Diverticular disease / diverticulosis
Crohns disease
Coeliac disease
Colonic cancer IS a possibility but overwhelmingly rare unless you have a family history of it at a young age (due to an underlying genetic disease such as HNPCC)
Haemorrhoids are the commonest cause of rectal bleeding but they do not usually result in enough blood loss for anaemia.

If its a dark red or brownish colour then it has spent longer in the digestive system and is likley to be upper GI tract - options include:
Peptic ulcer
Oesophageal disease


Other possibilities:
It is possible that you have a clotting disorder such as haemophilia - a clotting screen (or INR/APT) would identify this
The bleeding may be slight and incidental - there may be another cause for your anaemia - a MCV (mean cell volume) is good to start distinguishing these so if you know what yours is then let me know.

What to do:
Look up the above conditions on a reputable site such as www.patient.co.uk or www.gpnotebook.co.uk/
If you are in the UK, ask to be referred to a rectal bleed clinic - most hospitals have them and it should be very quick. Sorry but I do not know if there is a US equivalent.

Good luck
Alan

Answer 4

Get your doctor to refer you to a specialist.

GPs are just TOO general to be able to have all of the answers.

You'll probably need to see a consultant gastro-enterologist who will no doubt order an rectal endoscopy and or double contrast barium enema to get good x-rays of your colon.

You may have to undergo exploratory surgery but your consultant will explain the procedures.

If there is a waiting list of more than a week (yes, one week) bite the bullet and contact the Consultant's secretary at the local hospital and arrange a private appointment. It might cost you in the region of ~£100 but the consultant can get you into the system faster than if you simply waited for a regular appointment. Bleeding is bad and you need to get it seen to immediately. Better you spend the money now than put yourself at risk further.

Answer 5

It could also be a bleed ulcer. Contact a gastroenterologist who can do an endoscopy that he puts down your throat into your upper intestines. Then he can do at the same time a colonscopy that he can view your colon and lower intestines.

Don't play around with any of this situation. Get help!!

Answer 6

did you see a gastroenterologist?
There are many tests they can do to locate your site of bleeding ( if you have one) and fix it.

Answer 7

have they ruled out cancer? colon or a marrow cancer? you are still bleeding internally?