Can low hemoglobin cause fatigue, breathlessness, hair loss?

Question

Hi doctor,

I suffer from chronic debilitating fatigue, weakness, breathlessness, and extreme hair loss. My blood work is normal. However, I see my erythrocytes are always under the lowest range.

My thrombocytes and hemoglobin are also at their lowest. My vitamin B12 was too low, but now it is fine with injections. Can these low levels be causing my problems?

I am currently on Omeprazole for gastritis and Vortioxetine (burnout or agitated depression).

Kindly guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your attached report is not in the english language (attachment removed to protect patient identity). However, as I understand, hemoglobin and hematocrit values seem to be low.

Low hemoglobin level is called anemia, in which oxygenation to the organs can be affected, and so weakness and difficulty breathing could be due to that. Hence, the cause for low hemoglobin should be ruled out, for which you need to investigate with serum ferritin, TIBC (total iron-binding capacity), serum transferrin saturation, and HB electrophoresis.

According to the cause, specific treatment is to be done. An iron tablet, like Ferrous ascorbate, can be prescribed for that. You are having a depression problem as well, which can also be the cause of such a presentation. So revert with the above-suggested reports and repeat CBC after iron tablet intake. You can discuss all these with your treating doctor.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In anemia, hemoglobin level and red blood cell count can both be low. So in your reports, hemoglobin and RBC are both on the lower side.

Hope I have answered your question.

Thank you.