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What Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels When Diagnosed With Adenomyosis?

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Posted on Sat, 20 Aug 2016
Question: Due to severe blood loss from andenomyosis, my blood count went down to 7 when it shouldve been closer to 15. I was losing a unit of blood a day. When theh drew blood my glucose was 200 after a meal. But they said this was due to the anemia and was a false high bc my blood count was so low. I have never had a high blood sugar infact my hba1c 1.5 yrs ago was 4.2. Is this correct? They retested after 3 blood transfusions and it was 118. They said its all bc of the anemia. Is this true?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibly

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your anemia.

Indeed the HbA1c can be misleading and inaccurate in the setting of anemia and blood transfusions.

An alternative test in this situation is Glycated Albumin, also known as Fructosamine. However this test also has limitations. For example, if your blood albumin levels are low then this result will also appear falsely low.

So the best approach here would be to check your blood glucoses levels in the fasting state and 2 hours after a 75 gram glucose challenge, but after your anemia is reasonably corrected.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Can a false high on a random glucose test during anemia occur?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
The reading obtained in a laboratory sample where blood is taken form the veins is unlikely to be affected by anemia
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (5 hours later)
Before I was anemic, 1.5 years ago, my hba1c was 4.2. During that year i began suffering from insomnia and was given off lable 100 mg of seroquel/night for sleep. When I suddenly developed anemia due to excessive bleeding and went to hospital, two blood draws right after meals showed high blood sugar. Does the illness/anemia cause this or the seroquel? I have stopped the seroquel as the insomnia has resolved
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
Seroquel has been reported to raise blood glucoses. Stress of hospitalization itself can elevate blood glucoses too.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (23 minutes later)
Does it cause diabetes
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Third follow up

Detailed Answer:
There have been some reports of glucoses rising high enough in the diabetic range with this medicine
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Causes Low Hemoglobin Levels When Diagnosed With Adenomyosis?

Brief Answer: Possibly Detailed Answer: Sorry to learn about your anemia. Indeed the HbA1c can be misleading and inaccurate in the setting of anemia and blood transfusions. An alternative test in this situation is Glycated Albumin, also known as Fructosamine. However this test also has limitations. For example, if your blood albumin levels are low then this result will also appear falsely low. So the best approach here would be to check your blood glucoses levels in the fasting state and 2 hours after a 75 gram glucose challenge, but after your anemia is reasonably corrected. When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination: CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts) Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular) HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase) Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine) TSH (checks your thyroid) 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter) None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day