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Low hemoglobin: share out your energy

Hemoglobin carries oxygen around the body. When it is low (anaemia), you may feel tired, breathless, dizzy, have a pounding heart or feel cold. Shaping the day around this saves your strength.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A sunlit chair with a cushion and a soft blanket
Figure 1.A comfortable corner for rest

01Short answer

Put the most important tasks at the time of day when you have most energy, with short rests between them. Sit while you work, keep things within reach and accept help. Get up from bed or a chair slowly: sit first, then stand. Drink water and follow your team's advice on eating; do not take iron or other supplements on your own. Ask your team about driving. Call at once for breathlessness, chest pain, feeling faint or a very fast heartbeat.

02Simple explanation

Share out your energy.

Get up slowly.

Supplements: only with your team.

Chest pain: call.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: anaemia can cause tiredness, breathlessness and dizziness; treatment depends on the cause and sometimes needs a transfusion.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Oxygen

Less hemoglobin means less oxygen for the tissues.

The heart

The heart may beat faster to compensate.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
OxygenLess hemoglobin means less oxygen for the tissues.
The heartThe heart may beat faster to compensate.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Hemoglobin
The protein in red cells that carries oxygen.
Anaemia
A low level of hemoglobin or red cells.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Plan.
  • Rest.
  • Report.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Should I take iron?

Only if your team says so; in leukaemia, anaemia is usually not caused by a lack of iron.

I always feel cold.

This can be linked to anaemia; dress warmly and tell your team.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Should I take iron?

  2. I always feel cold.

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  5. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mold Course Chapter 2: Why and Where Mold Grows
  7. NHS. Cuts and grazes
  8. NHS. Nosebleed
  9. MedlinePlus. Nosebleed
  10. MedlinePlus. Bleeding into the skin
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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