Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Hemoglobin Improved by Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are variations of bone marrow failure disorders that lead to insufficient production of healthy blood cells culminating in some combination of low red blood cells, low white cells, or both. This case report presents a case of increased hemoglobin levels following intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy. J.B. is a 74-year-old male who presented with a chief concern of MDS. He was experiencing extreme fatigue and exhaustion, episodes of shortness of breath and a decline in hemoglobin levels. He was being followed by a hematologist who monitored his complete blood count (CBC) at regular intervals, with primary focus on blood hemoglobin. His hemoglobin levels were significantly lower than the normal range, but never met the threshold for a blood transfusion (< 75 g/dL), his only treatment option. Beginning in November 2021, weekly to biweekly IV nutrient therapy treatments were initiated. In all, 39 IV treatments were given until August 2023. Intravenous nutrient formulas included Myer’s Cocktail, high-dose vitamin C (25 g), Hydrating Myer’s Cocktail and Hydrating Myer’s Cocktail + glutathione. As IV treatments were administered, a trend was observed showing a consistent improvement of hemoglobin levels over time, with the greatest degree of improvement observed after the series of Hydrating Myer’s Cocktails. The patient also reported decreased overall fatigue and reduced recovery time from activity. Delivering a series of IV infusions may have resulted in an improvement of hemoglobin levels in this patient. Further investigation is warranted to understand the potential effects IV nutrient therapy could have on MDS patients with a similar prognosis.