Extremely low blood count?

absolutelymaybe · September 2014

My doctor just called me and said he was worried about my extremely low blood count from my 28 week labs. He is having me meet with a high risk nurse tomorrow to discuss, but I'm kind of panicking now.

Has anyone dealt with this? Any advice?

Rynleigh · September 2014

Low platelet counts can be a symptom of pre eclampsia. Have you had any protein/sugar in your urine samples? Any changes in blood pressure? Regardless, a big platelet drop is never a good sign, and you may want to prepare for the possibility of being asked to go on bed rest - that could be very basic home bed rest, or it could be "stay in the hospital until you deliver" bed rest. Don't panic, but it would probably be helpful to become comfortable with the idea and make plans for how to bring it up with your employer and make arrangements for your responsibilities there and at home.

absolutelymaybe · September 2014

They check my urine for protein/sugar at every appointment (last one was the day before I had the bloodwork was done) and they have been all great. I have normally pretty low BP and it's slightly higher than it normally is, but not in the "above normal" range. Everything has been going really well, actually, so I'm just kind of taken by surprise.

Rynleigh · September 2014

Pre-E comes out of no where, with very little obvious warning. I had very subtle increases in my blood pressure, then single strip positive for trace proteins, then had a blood draw that came back with low platelets. The platelets started plummeting, BP kept rising, and 9 days from that trace protein, I was put on hospital bed rest. It was still another week after that before I felt any symptoms (namely, I started having sporadic nose bleeds and started to feel weak).... so just take it into consideration and don't stress too much.

It is also totally possible that you just have severe anemia for other reasons, which would still require treatment, but less likely to result in bed rest.

absolutelymaybe · September 2014

@rynleigh thank you for all your information! Crossing my fingers it does not involve bed rest.

Rynleigh · September 2014

Please try not to worry too much - it's still early and could be nothing serious. I just wish that someone had been more direct with me about the early medical signs and been more blunt about the reality of ending up in the hospital - it would have been much easier to transition if I hadn't spent months being convinced it wasn't going to happen. I intended to work up until my scheduled induction at 38 weeks... but when I went in for an appointment at 35w, I was told I could not go back to work at all. I went back any way (desk job), and was in the hospital less than 48hrs later. The people I encountered during my pregnancy were very kind and considerate of my emotions, but not very considerate of my need to plan and prepare.

ktibbits1 · September 2014

@absolutelymaybe T&P for you! Keep us updated!

BabyKsMommy · September 2014

I'm really sorry to hear this but I'm glad your drs are being proactive and getting you the care you need.

I just got diagnosed with anemia and have been having some heart issues that I'm following up with a cardiologist for more info. I think at this point in our pregnancies is when our bodies are starting to have more trouble.

I hope your BP doesn't continue to rise and be sure to update us after your appointment.

rlk2 · September 2014

Hoping everything is okay!!!

absolutelymaybe · September 2014

So, I just got done with my appointment and it looks like the doctor was referring to my iron being extremely low. I'm not totally sure why it took another appointment with a high-risk doctor to explain things to me, but whatever...

Basically, the doctor said my iron is absolutely at the lowest it can be. If it gets any lower, they may need to do an IV injection (which they would like to avoid) and they are concerned because, if I have a C-section, there is the possibility of having to do a blood transfusion if I lose too much blood. Obviously, things we'd like to avoid.

So, now we are trying to figure out how to get my body to absorb as much iron as possible.

Rynleigh · September 2014

If they do recommend that you get a transfusion, it would be a good idea. One of the things the doctors failed to really explain to me after my blood loss (I was two points off from where they would have performed an "emergency" transfusion) is that it takes your body THREE MONTHS to replace blood blood cells... you can be dizzy, pass out, and feel insanely weak for those months until your blood stores are sufficient. I passed out several times and had heart palpitations for the first two months after delivery.

Do you have dietary restrictions? Drinking orange juice with your supplements and when you consume proteins helps you absorb the iron. You want to avoid fiber and coffee for a couple of hours after the supplements, because they can inhibit absorption. The meats, eggs, spinach, and any fortified foods you can get should probably be top priority foods for a while. You also want to try to include a steady consumption of B12 and Folic Acid (especially if they didn't confirm for you that your anemia is specifically "iron deficiency anemia" - anemia isn't always related to iron alone).

Did they suggest what may be causing the hyperanemia? To be in the lowest end of the levels possible, you would have to be severely anemic, which often is the result of your body destroying or losing red blood cells.

BabyKsMommy · September 2014

I'm glad you got some answers quickly. I'd read about pairing iron with vitamin c for better absorption too. If you are going to take iron pills IDE make sure to get plenty of fiber too so it doesn't back things up. Keep us updated on how it goes!

ktibbits1 · September 2014

@Rynleigh has good advice as far as what/ what not to take the supplements with. Hope things turn around soon so you can avoid IVs and transfusions! Glad your doc is on top of it!

absolutelymaybe · September 2014

@Rynleigh - Good to know about the transfusion. The high risk doctor made it sound like it would be terrible and they want to avoid having to put "unnatural" things in my body. Hmm okay. (She also sat there and told me that IVF pregnancies aren't "natural" and therefore have more problems -- which I've had very very few problems, actually. I'm so glad she is NOT my regular doctor and does not deliver babies.)

No dietary restrictions here. I have started taking my iron in the morning (on an empty stomach) with OJ. I don't drink coffee, so not worried there.

They didn't know what was causing the anemia and, while I have always been "slightly anemic" prepregnancy, I never really had other symptoms (i.e. my periods have always been really light).

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