Hemoglobin 8.5 g/dl & rhinoplasty. Should I be concerned?

Normal hemaglobin levels start at 11, and a transfusion of 1 unit of packed red blood cells would raise hemaglobin by 1. You are 2 and 1/2 units low, and this should be worked up to determine why you are quite anemic. This should be done BEFORE your rhinoplasty for many reasons. If you are anemic from heavy menses, iron supplements and a consultation with your GYN may be helpful. If you do not have excessive uterine bleeding as a cause for your anemia, you may need to consult with a hematologist (blood specialist) for a workup. If a hematology workup is inconclusive, please make sure a test of your stool for is performed to ensure you have no internal bleeding - the screening test for occult blood in stool is called a Guiac test, and if it's positive, GI endoscopy may be necessary. I hope this helps you. Dr Joseph

Dear Cheerful900480,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

If you want to play it safe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go on iron supplements and recheck the labs. On the other hand most surgeons would think it’s okay to proceed with rhinoplasty.