USING HEMOGLOBIN COUNT IN IBD

Your hemoglobin count can be used to decide if you need extra iron because of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).

If you have a hemoglobin of less than 8, you have a severe anemia and probably need intravenous (IV) iron or a transfusion. If your hemoglobin is under 11, you have a moderate anemia and often you need IV iron, not just an iron pill, to feel better, especially if you keep losing blood or have active IBD. 

Women and kids 12-14 years old should have a hemoglobin over 12. Once boys are 15 years old, their hemoglobin should be at least 14; while kids 5-12 years old should be at least 11.5. If someone is lower than  that and they don't have moderate or severe anemia, they have a mild anemia that can generally be treated with an iron pill, as long as the pills don't cause more symptoms of pain or diarrhea.

Hemoglobins should be rechecked in 4 and 8 weeks, and adjustments may need to be made if they aren't improving and feeling better.

Fortunately, low iron can usually be  detected by blood tests before it causes symptoms. 

WARNING: Do not take iron supplements without a diagnosis or instructions from your doctor since extra can be dangerous when unsupervised.