I have body pain. Is it because of the low Hb count?

Question

Hello doctor,

Today I checked my Hb count and it is only 11.8. For the past two months, I have been getting blood spots after the 10th day of my periods along with discharge. Is there any problem? I can also feel some body pain. Is it because of the low Hb count? My height is 5'9" and I weigh 76kg.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Hemoglobin (Hb) of 11.8 g/dL can be considered as not too low. Just occasional spotting after periods should not reduce your Hb (if it was higher than 12 g/dL previously). Regarding your symptoms of body pain, it depends on what was your Hb level previously. If it has reduced by 1.5 to 2 g/dL compared to past reports, then there is a possibility that your symptoms are due to reduced Hb.

In any case, you can either take iron supplements (with tablets containing elemental iron of >50mg, preferably 100mg) or increase dietary iron intake in the form of green leafy vegetables, dates etc., to improve Hb. This should also treat symptoms of body pain if it is due to low Hb.

Regarding intermenstrual spotting/bleeding, if it persists beyond 3 menstrual cycles, it needs evaluation by a gynecologist and needs local examination and probably one ultrasound. Kindly get it done if bleeding/spotting persists beyond three cycles. The doctor can also evaluate Hb and other tests.