<s>[INST] I am a male, 63 years old. I just had a lab test two weeks ago and the result shows that my hemoglobin and my hematocrit are both low. How can I get them at a normal level? What vitamin supplement can I take that I can buy over the counter? I can go to my doctor to get medicines but If I can just buy one, I will. (I had prostatectomy five months ago.) [/INST] Hello, This means you have anemia. If there has been a Chat Doctor.  A man who it's a wide variety of normal foods usually does not become anemic.  Do you have any abdominal pain, irregular bowels or do you pass black colored stools? Have you lost weight? If any of these is present, you would require to be investigated. If you only have been a poor eater or on a restricted vegetarian diet, then it is probably iron deficiency due to food deficient in iron. In such a case you can take a supplement which is rich in iron and vitamin C as vitamin C promotes absorption of iron. You had a prostatectomy. Have you checked your kidney functions? If they are abnormal, that can also be a cause of anemia in which case iron supplements would not help. If you were my patient, I would advise a kidney function test, serum Iron and a stool examination for occult blood as primary investigations. You are welcome to do these and get back to me and I shall be happy to be help. Have a good day! </s>