Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) All these are lower than 1 month ago. RBC 3.63 HGB 10.6 HCT 31.9 Iron, folate and B12 are ok. Dr. will repeat that lab in 1 month and may want me to see a hematologist. At this point I have undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I take plaquenil and recently seeing a rheumatologist. I don't see this as a significant problem. Comments or ideas please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 HI Betty, Your lab results show you a getting anemic. Since your Iron and B12 are ok, it must be from a different cause. When I worked in a hospital several years ago HBg & HCT were used to watch for internal bleeding. Since the doc who ordered the lab isn't concerned you shouldn't be either. The hematolgist can help find out if there is a problem. Debbie L retired nurse > > Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. > Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. > This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. > > RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) > HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) > HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) > > All these are lower than 1 month ago. RBC 3.63 HGB 10.6 HCT 31.9 > > Iron, folate and B12 are ok. > > Dr. will repeat that lab in 1 month and may want me to see a > hematologist. At this point I have undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I > take plaquenil and recently seeing a rheumatologist. > > I don't see this as a significant problem. Comments or ideas please. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Debbie, thanks for your response. But it is me that is not concerned and the doctor is. That's why he wants me to see a hematologist. I just feel like I am chasing too many illusive villains. I have been anemic for years, just not to this extent. Today I am so dragged out that I may be warming up to the idea of seeing a specialist. [ ] Re: Labs - Does anyone know? HI Betty, Your lab results show you a getting anemic. Since your Iron and B12 are ok, it must be from a different cause. When I worked in a hospital several years ago HBg & HCT were used to watch for internal bleeding. Since the doc who ordered the lab isn't concerned you shouldn't be either. The hematolgist can help find out if there is a problem. Debbie L retired nurse > > Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. > Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. > This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. > > RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) > HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) > HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) > > All these are lower than 1 month ago. RBC 3.63 HGB 10.6 HCT 31.9 > > Iron, folate and B12 are ok. > > Dr. will repeat that lab in 1 month and may want me to see a > hematologist. At this point I have undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I > take plaquenil and recently seeing a rheumatologist. > > I don't see this as a significant problem. Comments or ideas please. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Hi Betty, You are most welcome. I used to work for a hematologist/oncologist clinic. He may want to do a bone marrow biopsy to see if you have any serious problems. I am willing to help if you have any other questions. warm hugs, Debbie L > > Debbie, thanks for your response. But it is me that is not concerned and the doctor is. That's why he wants me to see a hematologist. I just feel like I am chasing too many illusive villains. > > I have been anemic for years, just not to this extent. Today I am so dragged out that I may be warming up to the idea of seeing a specialist. > [ ] Re: Labs - Does anyone know? > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Betty, A few years ago my RBC was low normal, but the other two were below normal. They were not as low as yours. My rheumy said it indicated that I was bleeding somewhere in my body. He said that I should go to another doctor and have it checked out. The doctor I went to just assumed that it was bleeding in my stomach from an ulcer from the double dose of Aleve I had been taking; he didn't actually do an endoscopy or anything. He prescribed Previcid or similar medication and prescription iron. (In fact, I think the iron helped me through my radiation treatments following a lumpectomy for breast cancer.) I took it until the blood work came back up to normal. I did have a blood test for h. pylori, which was negative. I've been okay ever since, but I'm afraid to take NSAID's. Sue On Friday, August 11, 2006, at 11:50 AM, Betty wrote: > Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. > Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. > This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. > > RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) > HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) > HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Debbie, I know those readings are low, but the question is are they low enough to cause concern. Some things have little tolerance, and some lots. I just hate going to yet another doctor unless what I am chasing is worth chasing. The doctor seems to want to check everything. I don't want to male a bad call and fail to do something important. compared to previous test the amount of change between the last 30 days is greater. I see the Hematologist next week so hopefully that will shed some more light on it. In other labs I have found the " what if it is too low/high " But not with these. The thing that pops up most frequently is lupus. Autoimmune studies look to me like lupus may be it. The plaquenil appears to be helping. Betty [ ] Re: Labs - Does anyone know? > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I am taking iron and think that is the reason it is within normal range. I really hate to take it because it constipates me terribly. My last exams for digestive track done 3 years ago covered the 3 areas, lower, middle and upper. He noted that by asking when I had those done last, then looked through the record until he found them. My reply to him to the how long question was that it was not long enough to do again. That maybe why he let that pass at this point. I would rather see a hematologist than do those test again. I won't be surprised if I end up doing both. Betty Re: [ ] Labs - Does anyone know? Betty, A few years ago my RBC was low normal, but the other two were below normal. They were not as low as yours. My rheumy said it indicated that I was bleeding somewhere in my body. He said that I should go to another doctor and have it checked out. The doctor I went to just assumed that it was bleeding in my stomach from an ulcer from the double dose of Aleve I had been taking; he didn't actually do an endoscopy or anything. He prescribed Previcid or similar medication and prescription iron. (In fact, I think the iron helped me through my radiation treatments following a lumpectomy for breast cancer.) I took it until the blood work came back up to normal. I did have a blood test for h. pylori, which was negative. I've been okay ever since, but I'm afraid to take NSAID's. Sue On Friday, August 11, 2006, at 11:50 AM, Betty wrote: > Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. > Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. > This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. > > RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) > HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) > HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 I became badly anemic a couple of years ago and finally went to the right doctor who found a hemorrhoidal pocket in my colon. I was somewhat surprised since it didn't show up in my stool. I had surgery for it and was on the mend, feeling comparatively great. One thing he put me on was Iron, and I've been taking it ever since. It seems to be working for me. Dennis in Eastexas " It's not Rocket Surgery " Re: [ ] Labs - Does anyone know? > Betty, > > A few years ago my RBC was low normal, but the other two were below > normal. They were not as low as yours. My rheumy said it indicated that > I was bleeding somewhere in my body. He said that I should go to > another doctor and have it checked out. > > The doctor I went to just assumed that it was bleeding in my stomach > from an ulcer from the double dose of Aleve I had been taking; he > didn't actually do an endoscopy or anything. He prescribed Previcid or > similar medication and prescription iron. (In fact, I think the iron > helped me through my radiation treatments following a lumpectomy for > breast cancer.) I took it until the blood work came back up to normal. > I did have a blood test for h. pylori, which was negative. I've been > okay ever since, but I'm afraid to take NSAID's. > > Sue > > On Friday, August 11, 2006, at 11:50 AM, Betty wrote: > >> Recently I have had more lab work done than I think is necessary. >> Usually I can find enough information that I think I get the basics. >> This time I didn't. Mainly it involves anemia. >> >> RBC Low @ 3.40 (3.7 - 5.4) >> HG low 9.6 (12 - 16) >> HCT Low @ 28.2 (28 - 35) >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Hi Betty, Sorry if I worried you. Your lab values aren't critical. Hct is <15 and Hbg is <5. The hematologist can help you. There is a med out called Procrit which helps improve RBC prodution. It is given by injection very slowly. Hct and Hbg are components of RBCs. posted some great articles about anemia. They are good and helpful. Good luck with your appt. Let me know how it goes. hugs, Debbie L > > Debbie, > I know those readings are low, but the question is are they low enough to cause concern. Some things have little tolerance, and some lots. I just hate going to yet another doctor unless what I am chasing is worth chasing. The doctor seems to want to check everything. I don't want to male a bad call and fail to do something important. compared to previous test the amount of change between the last 30 days is greater. I see the Hematologist next week so hopefully that will shed some more light on it. > > In other labs I have found the " what if it is too low/high " But not with these. The thing that pops up most frequently is lupus. Autoimmune studies look to me like lupus may be it. The plaquenil appears to be helping. > > Betty > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2006 Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Correction: I meant to say the Rheumatologist next week. It is a hematologist I don't see the need to see. (I guess I had my brain turned off) I see the Hematologist next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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