For serious people only: My grandfather has a low blood count what does that mea!
Question:
For serious people only: My grandfather has a low blood count what does that mean?
The doctor didn't say if it was white or red blood cells he said it was lower than the average for a person his age (he's 77 the normal count is 13.5 and his is 11.). The doctor was a blood doctor that worked with Cancer patients...Could he have cancer? The doctor skipped around the subject alot and ask lots of questions about cancer like smoking and stuff...What could this mean? While I was in the waiting room I noticed lots of people that were hairless and wore wigs...is this a sign? They took more blood today and he's going back in 2 wks for results...should I brace myself for anything?
Answers:
It means that his bone marrow is not making enough red blood cells, his hemoglobin is low. A low hemoglobin is referred to as being anemic. There are many reasons for anemia. Some of the more common reasons are loss of blood (traumatic injury, surgery, bleeding colon cancer), nutritional deficiency (iron, vitamin B12, folate), bone marrow problems (replacement of bone marrow by cancer, suppression by chemotherapy drugs, kidney failure), and abnormal hemoglobin (sickle cell anemia). I wouldn't worry too much until there is a diagnosis made, could be something as simple as bleeding from hemorrhoids. Does he have any other symptoms?