Ups and Downs

Greyson’s biliruben level is down so he’s out of the tanning bed. 

Something we’ve been keeping an eye on is his anemia. One of the ways this is measured is by monitoring his hemoglobin level, which has continued to drop. It’s now at 9. If you followed Trish’s hemoglobin level prior to her C-section you know may remember that 9 is about as low as you want it before you start discussing blood transfusions. The current plan for dealing with the anemia is to give him iron to help him develop his own red blood cells. He won’t receive any iron until the volume of milk he is receiving is enough to offset ill effects of the iron. It’s been a little bit of a race between how much food he can tolerate and how low his hemoglobin level goes. The doctors believe he’s probably ready for iron and should start receiving that today or tomorrow.

The much less desirable ‘plan B’ would be a blood transfusion. This could occur as early as next week if he starts developing more anemia symptoms.