Low hemoglobin level
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 13
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From: England
Low hemoglobin level
Good afternoon guys,
I have been flying since 2017 and got my Initial Class 1 Medical in 2016. I have always had low hemoglobin (around 13) and my hematocrit levels are situated in the 38-40 % spam. Last year when I renewed my medical license the doctor noticed that I had low hemoglobin and made me feel pretty uncomfortable saying that my levels were a bit short of the red line- Anyway she passed me and gave me my license and next month im going there again which has made me increasingly nervous and not knowing what to expect. I have always had low hemobglobin and she was the first doctor of the 3 that I had seen that raised the issue, not even the first AME that saw me in the inital Class 1 raised any questions. There is no way I can increase my hemoglobin since I have always had it like that and eventhough my numbers are in, what i think. the "reasonable line" I feel a bit stressed on what to expect.
Best Regards and looking forward to hearing your opinion or advices!
I have been flying since 2017 and got my Initial Class 1 Medical in 2016. I have always had low hemoglobin (around 13) and my hematocrit levels are situated in the 38-40 % spam. Last year when I renewed my medical license the doctor noticed that I had low hemoglobin and made me feel pretty uncomfortable saying that my levels were a bit short of the red line- Anyway she passed me and gave me my license and next month im going there again which has made me increasingly nervous and not knowing what to expect. I have always had low hemobglobin and she was the first doctor of the 3 that I had seen that raised the issue, not even the first AME that saw me in the inital Class 1 raised any questions. There is no way I can increase my hemoglobin since I have always had it like that and eventhough my numbers are in, what i think. the "reasonable line" I feel a bit stressed on what to expect.
Best Regards and looking forward to hearing your opinion or advices!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 845
Likes: 106
From: Kiwiland
We have moved the decimal point so your hemoglobin is now 130. Hope that makes you feel better 
Seriously though I dont consider 130 low and it certainly wont fail you according to my AME. Equally the crit levels are normal. Were you told the reading at your renewal? If not ring the doctor and ask for it. Over 120 I would not do anything unless you were very tired, losing weight or bruising easily, and that sort of thing would stop your renewal well before any blood test.....
If the doctor says it is under 120, the first thing is to check it is an accurate reading. The old red box machines can be inaccurate - called Haemacue. We now use a blue machine called Prospect, but if in doubt you need a proper laboratory test. If the laboratory reading is low we then run a series of tests to identify which system is causing it - PM me and I can send it to you but your GP can investigate it.
Seriously though I dont consider 130 low and it certainly wont fail you according to my AME. Equally the crit levels are normal. Were you told the reading at your renewal? If not ring the doctor and ask for it. Over 120 I would not do anything unless you were very tired, losing weight or bruising easily, and that sort of thing would stop your renewal well before any blood test.....
If the doctor says it is under 120, the first thing is to check it is an accurate reading. The old red box machines can be inaccurate - called Haemacue. We now use a blue machine called Prospect, but if in doubt you need a proper laboratory test. If the laboratory reading is low we then run a series of tests to identify which system is causing it - PM me and I can send it to you but your GP can investigate it.
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
The reading is unlikely to be significant.
It sounds like Doc 3 is a bit uncertain as to how to handle the results tbh. They may wish to repeat to look for a "trend." Which, I expect, will be unchanged,
"Near the red line" sounds like a flippant comment.
It sounds like Doc 3 is a bit uncertain as to how to handle the results tbh. They may wish to repeat to look for a "trend." Which, I expect, will be unchanged,
"Near the red line" sounds like a flippant comment.
