Anemia after a crash: making sense of a low blood count
A trauma surgeon and a hematology specialist on symptoms and follow up
After a serious injury or surgery, you may hear that your blood count is low. Anemia means you have too few healthy red blood cells or too little hemoglobin to carry oxygen well. Losing blood is one possible cause. A trauma surgeon first wants to know whether the bleeding has stopped. A hematology specialist, a doctor who treats blood problems, helps figure out what your blood count needs to recover. [1, 2]
Find out what your number means
Ask the name of the test, your result and whether it is holding steady, improving or falling. Find out when it will be repeated and who will look at it. Anemia can bring tiredness, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and feeling cold. Those same symptoms can also come from other causes. A blood test and an exam by your doctor point to the answer. [1, 2]
Watch for signs of new bleeding
After an injury, get urgent care for fainting, serious weakness, chest pain, trouble breathing or a racing pulse. The same goes for new swelling or pain in your belly or blood in your vomit, urine or stool. Pale or clammy skin and confusion can be signs of shock. If you might be bleeding again, don’t wait for your next scheduled blood test. [3]
How treatment is chosen
Treatment depends on what’s causing the anemia and how severe it is. Some people need only monitoring. Others may need treatment for low iron, another nutrient problem or ongoing blood loss. A transfusion may be used to replace blood lost through an injury or surgery. Don’t start high dose iron on your own. Iron can cause side effects and helps only when it fits the diagnosis. [2, 4]
Ask if you should change your activity while your count is low. If dizziness makes it unsafe to walk or shower, ask for a plan to get help at home. Keep track of how far you can walk before symptoms start and whether that distance grows. Tracking helps you catch a change early. Don’t push through feeling out of breath. [1, 2]
- Has the bleeding stopped, and is my blood count holding steady?
- When will my count be checked again, and who will call me?
- Do I need a supplement, another treatment or just monitoring?
Check your discharge papers for your last count
Sources and further reading
- 1MedlinePlus anemia overview
- 2NHLBI anemia and treatment
- 3MedlinePlus bleeding and shock signs
- 4NHLBI causes of anemia
For general education, from the viewpoints of trauma surgery and hematology. After an injury, get prompt medical care for new bleeding, fainting, severe weakness or shortness of breath.
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