What treatments are available to assist me?

There are various possible treatments:

• Medications that stimulate red blood cell production (EPO or erythropoietin) have been approved to correct anaemia prior to surgery and have been shown to be useful in reducing transfusions in anaemic patients whose surgery involves large amounts of blood loss.
• Iron, intravenous or oral. Depending on the patient’s haemoglobin level, the underlying condition and the procedure to be performed, one or the other will be prescribed.

In some cases, patients may be prescribed vitamin supplements (folic acid or vitamins B6 or B12) to provide additional amounts of these vitamins, which are necessary for the production of red blood cells. Likewise, an extra intake of vitamin C will contribute to greater absorption of the iron supplement administered.

These medicines are most effective when administered three or four weeks before surgery, so it is important to find out whether you have anaemia as soon as possible. Your doctor will help you find the most appropriate treatment for you, taking into account the causes of your anaemia and its severity.