Re: HELP! End of rope with doctors..

May 8, 2004

Hi Roma,

Wow! What an informative response! I'm definitely printing this out.

Yes, my MCV was still low as of my 2/27 blood check. On 2/3 my MCV

was 73 (normals 82.7-96.8) and on 2/27 was 78.6. I'm only guessing

until I get my lab print-out, but perhaps the MCV is still low if the

doctor said on the message that I was " still certainly iron

deficient. " Platelets were 388 on 2/3 (normals 149-375). I don't

see a platelet count on 2/27 and don't have the reading from 5/6 if

taken for platelets. Every other red blood cell value and iron value

is there, though. The doc's note on 2/27 was " reticulocytes are

newly produced red cells and you are making them abundantly. " My

retic count was 0.1035 on 2/27 (normals 0.035-0.092). I didn't know

the difference between iron-lacking (stores) and iron deficiency

(MCV).

My thyroid was not tested on 2/3. My sensitive TSH on 1/30 was 2.79,

and back in 8/01 it was 1.08 and 8/00 2.04, and 3/99 1.71. Does the

2/3 reading as 2.79 (normals 0.30-5.0) sound normal enough not to

need more investigation? I've heard even a sensitive TSH reading can

be misleading in terms of " normal. " What do you think?

Thanks for your great response!

Meg

> If you have not done so already, perhaps you should be tested for

> HYPOTHYROIDISM. Some of your symptoms (fatigue, bleeding

irregularities, AND persistently low ferritin) could be suggestive of a poorly

functioning thyroid.

>And... could your hormonal migraines be influenced by possible

thyroid problems?

> The only way to correct the deficit is with supplementation.--AND

by adopting strategies to improve your ABSORPTION of the iron you are taking

in.

> Perhaps a consult with a hematologist can assist you in getting

your ferritin levels up, and if necessary, administer more sophisticated iron

tests.

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