“What could be the reason for low hemoglobin after a bypass surgery?”
My mother underwent a bypass surgery 2 years back. Since then she has been constantly feeling weak and low on energy. The doctors have said her haemoglobin levels are low. What could be the reason behind this?
7 Answers
CardiothoracicSurgeonHemoglobinTest
Anemia after heart surgery is very common and there is nothing to worry about. However, if she is still anemic 2 years after surgery it is not related to surgery. She is losing blood from somewhere and needs to see a specialist for that reason.
It is unlikely that your mother's persistently low hemoglobin is related to heart surgery two years ago. One can be transiently anemic after surgery, but usually within a few months the body has replenished the hemoglobin to a normal level. There are many reasons for anemia, including bone marrow issues which might limit production, subtle bleeding from the intestines or bladder which cause persistent blood loss or breakdown of blood cells within the body. It would be helpful for her doctors to explore some of these etiologies to try to discover the reason for her low hemoglobin.
Acutely it could be the result of the surgery but she is far enough out from her surgery that the surgery should not be a factor now. She may have low grade esophagitis which could be evaluated by esophagoscope. If it continues, she may need to be evaluated with an upper and/or lower endoscopy.
Two years after CABG is quite a long time to blame this on the surgical procedure without evaluating the patient for other etiologies of anemia. It will also be important to determine whether the anemia is due to an iron deficiency, folate deficiency, etc., as this will help determine the cause.
Low hemoglobin, or anemia after heart surgery, is very common in the early postoperative period or even the first one to two months after heart surgery. However, two years after surgery should prompt a review of other causes of fatigue. There are many medications used after heart surgery which can contribute to fatigue, such as beta blockers, and others that can contribute to anemia, such as blood thinners.
Anemia is common following heart surgery and it’s advisable to take iron therapy
Blood loss. Most people lose about 4 points. Increase iron consumption. Lean red meat 4 oz is absorbed best- 24%. Do once or twice over a week. Spinach or broccoli both only 4% unless you eat protein or vitamin C- goes to 7% then. Either way, get a vitamin supplement.
