Hemaglobin! How do I raise, naturally.

[Grace]

My hemoglobin is going up very slowly. Before cancer it was 14+ and this week was 12.3. I've been off chemotherapy since November 1 so I had hoped it would be back to normal by now. Oncology nurse said today that some people never go back to previous number. Any one else out there with this problem--is it a problem! Thanks.

[RhondaH]

after my last chemo I landed in the hospital and my hemoglobin was down to 8.1. The nurses wanted to give me a blood transfusion but, I didn't feel comfortable about it. I asked if I could see if it came back up on its own and they agreed (reluctantly), but said that at 8.0, that was the cut off and that I would get a MANDATORY transfusion. When I came home my mom started feeding me liver and onions and by the time I saw my onc a few days later to get a procrit shot (now reading that THESE aren't a good thing), my blood was over the limit of what they could give it and I never got the shot. My mom is slightly anemic right now so, I made liver and onions a couple of nights last week and when I take her to the doc tommorrow will see how she does. Hey, my 6 yo son likes liver and onions (he's not normal though:). Good luck and take care.

Rhonda

[Lolly]

The liver and onions IS a good old fashioned remedy, and another one is to get blackstrap molasses (organic please, and be sure it's blackstrap, not regular), and mix a tablespoon in a glass of milk, and drink.

<3 Lolly

Oh, just read Becky's post below about dairy products impairing iron absorption, oops, forgot about that

[Becky]

You can go the dark, green leafy vegetable route as well BUT, in order to absorb the iron better you have to not have dairy for 4-6 hours afterwards and have a source of vitamin C (couple of ounces of orange juice or tomatoes/juice). Another is fortied cereal. Most boxed cereals have iron and so do nuts (particularly almonds). Wheat germ too (and its also a good source of natural folate and vitamin E).

Also moderate to rigorous exercise as you need red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the body and it does help build up the blood.

Or - go visit Mel Gordon in Denver because living in higher altitudes (thinner air) makes you build more red cells:)

Also, your reading is a good reading. Anyone with 11 or better can give blood so yours is good.

[RhondaH]

your a hoot!!!! :)

Rhonda

[tousled1]

I've had problems with my hemoglobin dropping since day number one of chemo. It has dropped as low as 8.1. I've been getting procrit shots just about every three weeks since December 05. I started Herceptin only in June 06 and thought that this problem would go away -- wrong! My hemoglobin still drops and I'm still getting Procrit shots. I go this Thursday for my Herceptin and I already know that my counts are low. I can tell by the way I feel - very fatigued. Now with all the bad press that Procrit has gotten I'm not sure what to do. I've been eating more protein, taking a multivitamin, multiB vitamin, B12 and eating a lot of fresh fruit and veggies. My body just seems to be extremely slow in getting back to normal. I can tell you I'm tired of feeling fatigued all the time and sure wish there was a magic wand I could wave and have my blood counts come up to normal and stay there.

[Bev]

If you'd rather not do liver and onions, Feosol or Vitron C are OTC options. If you're feeling well, I think you're within normal levels, I'd skip the supplements. For me, I irrationally worry that too much iron may make it too comfortable for future cancer cells. BB

[Grace]

Thanks all,

I think we should dub this the "Answer Board." So much faster than doing internet research or even asking my doctors/nurses.

Bev and Becky--I didn't know anything over 11 was okay for giving blood, so that makes me feel better already. I suppose because I was 14+ when I started I wanted to be 14+ when I finish. Now I'll relax, at least about this one.

Rhonda--I knew about the liver, but my mother, a wonderful lady, was the worse cook in the world. She had great ideas about nutrition just didn't know how to execute them, so I learned to hate all the good foods in life: she made us eat liver every Thursday night, but it really was like the proverbial shoe leather. I won't mention what she did to spinach!

Kate--Sorry you're so tired. That happened to me yesterday after my herceptin infusion. I could barely get from Third Avenue to my apartment as the walk is on an incline. And then last night I was really sick. I wonder if herceptin accumulates in our blood to the point it becomes very difficult to tolerate.

Lolly--I will try the molasses, perhaps in orange juice.

Thanks again all of you. Much appreciated.

[Sandy H]

I have a friend who has ovarian cancer and is having a terrible time with her hemoglobin. She was telling me her sister who is a nurse did some research and has her cook marrow bones(can get them in the meat section) let the broth cool and skim off the fat. She then makes a soup by adding vergies she likes with some brown rice. She says this brings her hemoglobin right up and she says it works better than the shots. Just another option. hugs, Sandy

[Grace]

Sandy--excellent idea and one my husband will like very much. I'll give it a try when I'm feeling human again, probably in two or three days. Thanks much.