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Hi Donna,
I feel it's necessary to transfuse to a level where you have a good quality of life. If you feel good below 8, then that level works for you. Most don't though so goal is to transfuse with the intent to get above 8. Low HGB is a strain on the heart. So if someone is below 8, one unit is not going to bump them up high enough. Once you get someone up to 9 or 10, then manage transfusions with a goal to transfuse at 8, you may be able to get away with doing just one unit. When John was getting red cells every two week, he would get two units. When his interval went to 3 weeks, we backed down to one unit. This shortened his transfusion interval but in the long run, limited the number of red cell units until he became completely transfusion independent.
Again, red cells, even transfused ones live longer than two week. Some do die off soon after being transfused.
All blood products should be irradiated and leukocyte reduced especially for those who may get a transplant.
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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