Splenectomies are also performed for patients whose persistently enlarged spleens cause significant discomfort or in patients whose persistently low platelet counts suggest idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Bone marrow transplants are usually shunned in this highly treatable disease because of the inherent risks in the procedure. They may be considered for refractory cases in younger, otherwise healthy individuals. "Minitransplants" are possible. People with low numbers of red blood cells or platelets may also receive red blood cells and platelets through blood transfusions. Blood transfusions are always irradiated to remove white blood cells and thereby reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Affected people may also receive a hormone to stimulate production of red blood cells. These treatments may be medically necessary, but do not kill the hairy cells. People with low neutrophil counts may be given filgrastim or a similar hormone to stimulate production of white blood cells. However, a 1999 study indicates that routine administration of this expensive injected drug has no practical value for HCL patients after cladribine administration. In this study, patients who received filgrastim were just as likely to experience a high fever and to be admitted to the hospital as those who did not, even though the drug artificially inflated their white blood cell counts. This study leaves open the possibility that filgrastim may still be appropriate for patients who have symptoms of infection, or at times other than shortly after cladribine treatment.
13.5 and 18 g/dl are the lower and upper limits of the acceptable range. For women, 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter 12 and 16 g/dl are the lower and upper limits of the acceptable range. Treatment
High hemoglobin levels are a rare occurrence but is usually treated as a symptom for an underlying disease. Consulting a doctor is the best treatment, so they can diagnose your illness and give a recommended treatment plan to lower hemoglobin levels back to normal. See also
Coagulation
Blood diseases
Methemoglobinemia, an abnormal amount of methemoglobin which is carrying oxygen but unable to release it effectively to body tissues, is produced. References
"Hemolytic Anemia". University of Virginia Health System. Retrieved 2009-05-01.