Diagnosed with PV: Anyone used a home hemoglobin testing kit?

Posted by rmegg @rmegg, Dec 9, 2022

Has anyone found a way to test at home for low hemoglobin with reliable reading?

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I turned 60 in May, welcome to the club! Each decade gets better, it's the truth. I'm blessed with 2 teenage grandkids and will have more someday since my youngest is 26, oldest is 40 with one in between.
I have been a water drinker for many years now and also used to donate blood every 2-3 months since I had the good baby blood. It's a sin they have to throw our blood out.
All the donations and hydration kept the PV in check and went undetected. When it crept up to 17.8, by that time I was so miserable. Hemo/onc wants it down to 11 and we go from there. It was 12.4 last phlebotomy and it was also the day of the terrible smoke from Canadian fires, I was completely wiped, couldn't breath or barely handle one flight of stairs for about 3 days. I live in a 3 floor townhouse so it was a tad challenging. It also likely put me into an anemic state. Catch 22 since iron rich foods produce more blood, trying to find the right balance is tricky but I'm determined.

Good luck with your journey, this forum is really helping me.

Have a wonderful day!

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@wendy517

I am very interested if anyone has purchased a home hemoglobin test kit? I have SIBO and allergies which cause fatigue & headaches. Once I get on a regular routine of phlebotomies (recently diagnosed with PV in April, hemo was 17.8 and I was miserable), I'm hoping to get to every couple/few months.

If no feedback, I'll purchase one from Amazon, test before I get my next CBC to see if its correct or very close and let everyone know if you have any interest.

Stay strong everyone 🙏💪❤️

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That’s a good hgb I stay in 6 to 8 range

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@tyson1221

That’s a good hgb I stay in 6 to 8 range

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Your hemoglobin is between 6-8? I thought normal range for a woman was 12-15? I'm intrigued now, do you feel good at that number and you're not anemic?

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Hi an I am pancytopenic all my counts are low an usually need blood transfusions weekly an wen I’m under 7-8 yes I’m tired but goinnfor SCT if I wualify

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@tyson1221

Hi an I am pancytopenic all my counts are low an usually need blood transfusions weekly an wen I’m under 7-8 yes I’m tired but goinnfor SCT if I wualify

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I'm opposite, too much blood with PV. Too bad I can't give you some of mine! Lol
I feel so fatigued and my count is probably around 11 now. I thought it might be because I'm down too low for me. Now I'm not so sure. I can't wait to get to my "new norm" and hoping for monthly blood drains (Vampire Visits as I call them) or even every couple months would be awesome.

Stay strong 💪 ✨️ 🙏

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