Hemoglobin level?

Hello. This question is for those knowlegable in the medical field. My husband was in the hospital in ICU for 8 days during the past two weeks. He fainted in the bathroom (hitting his head and body hard on our marble tub). Come to find out he had two bleeding ulcers. He has been given 8 pints of blood. He has had 3 endoscopy (where they found 2 ulcers and carterized them), 1 colonoscopy, 1 bloodscan, 1 CATscan and 1 small intestine endoscopy camera capsule. He had his blood level checked last night at the doc and it was 11. When he left the hosp. last week it was 10.3. Does it sound like he is still loosing blood? He is still week and a little dizzy at times. He doesn't have a black, tarry stool anymore. He is also pretty tired. Two naps yesterday. We just started an iron and C therapy yesterday. The GI doc hadn't suggested one. Here's my ? If he isn't bleeding anymore, how fast should his blood build up. By the way, he has had gastric bypass surgery before.

FYI his gastric bypass ruy n y (sp) was in 2004 with no complications. I just found out last week that since 2006, they have been requiring patients to take pepcid AC twice a day. My husband has never taken this.

Unfortunately, as stated above, stomach ulcers can be a complication after gastric bypass. Many people do not realize that there is a difference between "normal" and "acceptable" hemoglobin (Hb) levels. While standard labs arbitrarily define normal Hb as 15, in reality, this number can be as low as 13.5 in men, and 12 in women (due to menstruation).

That he required 8 units of blood which brought his Hb level to 11 indicates that he had a severe GI bleed. All patients with serious bleeding should transfused. However, the ideal target Hb level is not well established. There is evidence that normalizing Hb levels can actually harm patients. Most doctors would agree that no transfusion is needed if the Hb is >10, provided there is no more bleeding. In fact, current guidelines recommend a target Hb of 7 (or 8, if >65 years or high risk of heart/lung disease).

If his bleeding has stopped, his Hb levels should return to normal in 2-4 weeks. If he is iron deficient, iron will help. Vitamin C has not been shown to help anemia.

It is difficult to tell if your husband may still be losing blood. Short of blood or stool tests, if you notice black or red stools, or if he has similar symptoms, seek medical attention.

The 'normal' hemoglobin level for an average adult is about 15. You've stated that he received 8 pints of blood while in hospital and under going various procedures. To tell you the truth the doctor and the hospital should not have let him out unless his levels were at the very least approaching normal. Say, around 13-14. He is going to be very tired and easily exhausted with a level of 11 as hemoglobin is what carries the oxygen around the body and give us energy. The lower the level the less oxygen your carrying. He should have been rebuilding the blood store back up by now. Call you doctor back and let him/her know in no uncertain terms that you are concerned about your husbands condition. Demand answers, wasn't the doctor even the littlest bit worried about how low the level was. Did the doctor ask about his stamina or functionabilty. Remember you and your husband are the boss, the doctor works for you. If you don't get a good answer, fire him/her and hire a better one. Keep a watch for a change in your husbands stools. If he starts to vomit (especially if it looks like coffee grounds because thats blood) call 911. Also keep an eye on how the shape of his stomach looks and feels. If should not be distended, hard or hot to the touch. Again if this happens call 911 because he will have either bleeding somewhere in the abdomen and/or infection as well.
My personal opinion is write down all of your questions and demand answers. If you dont' get them, fire the doctor. Write down everything the doctor says and does. You may need it in court some day. In todays health care climate you need to have a strong backbone and attitude to go with it. I wish you and your husband a speedy recovery.

unfortunately, this can all be caused from the gastric bypass surgery. it doesn't sound like he's still losing blood since you said his hemoglobin level has went up a little bit in the past week and he's not having the black stool any longer. being tired is going to be a normal reaction after all he's been through. his body will need time to rest and rejuvenate. he should feel pretty normal within the next couple of weeks. his hgb levels will continue to rise throughout that time.

Well they released me form the hospital with a Hgb of 12 - twice! [ postpartum hemorrhage, and brain surgery ].
He will feel like crap the next few weeks, because of the blood count. [ At least he doesn't have to get up every three hours to breastfeed! Sorry - not that funny. ]
Feed him well, give him the iron and the C. Careful of constiapation though, because of the iron.
Have him walk up and down stairs once a day, and to the mailbow [ dif time ]. Each day, go one mailbox furthur [ what my mom made me do after brain surgery - with a little 3 and 7 year old boys' helping'. ]
Let him sleep as much as he wants - long period at night, one or two naps or 'lie downs' in the daytime. [ unless starts to affect night sleep .
Good luck!