I’m diabetic. My hgb is 7. What’s going on?

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing.

Your blood count is very low.

The WBCs are the main cells we think of when we think white cells or immune cells, and they help fight infection. They also can be instigators in attacking your body. The HgB and HCT are related to the red cell counts. The red cells help transport oxygen. When these cells are low, you are anemic. This will make you feel extremely tired, depending on how low they are. The A/G ratio has to do with the amount of proteins in your blood.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your levels may be low due to:

Iron deficiency
Vitamin B-12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Bleeding
Cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukemia
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Hypothyroidism
Thalassemia — a genetic disorder that causes low levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells

We cannot say if your levels are so low due to your diabetes but a level of 7 often requires a transfusion - your anemia is very severe.

Anon, please talk to your doctor immediately about how to raise your levels and why they are so low.
Best,
Susan