heat and hemoglobin

Do any of the thal patients (or parents) find that hg drops faster during the hotter months? 

Sharmin

Hi Sharmin,

I don't have any technical proof to that but i have noticed that hot weather causes dehydration (as zainab sweats a lot)and dehydration causes hb drop,so i always urge my daughter to drink more and more water in hot weather,some juices,and try my best not to send her out much,other then the school.Try to keep her clothing light and make her take shower at least twice a day.

Love,

ZAINI.

Hi,

Zaini, Hb doesn't go down with dehydration; in fact it goes up as the blood thickens and the red cells pack up more closer thus resulting in elevated Hb results.

I've experienced it few weeks ago when I was getting my Platelets checked daily. One day my Hb was 12.7 and the other day it went up to 13. My doctor asked me if I had not drunk water that morning, and she was right; I had been out in the heat for a while and was feeling a bit thirsty.

I don't know if heat can be damaging to the blood if we stay hot.

Take Care, Peace!

I've noticed that my son's transfusion requirements increase in the summer, and I had also read something indicating that transfusions last longer during the winter than the summer months.  I was wondering if anyone had experienced this.  My son is also very active - all year long - but especially in the summer. 

You're right Zaini, I should ensure that he is well hydrated and that he keeps cool.  You're also right Sajid, dehydration makes the hg appear higher than it is. 

  Sharmin

Thanx for correcting me sajid

Take care,

ZAINI.