Does anyone understand full blood count results
Posted , 11 users are following.
My GP surgery have now made some of our records available on-line. I was looking at the results of the tests done in April this year when I was diagnosed with PMR..
Under Full Blood Count three of the results were flagged as abnormal but the GP hasn't said anything to me. I cannot get a telephone appointment with him until a week on Monday so I wonder if anyone understands these enough to tell me if I need to be doing anything eg taking iron or B12 or is it just a blimp I can ignore?
Ful B;ood Count
Haemoglobin estimation
Result Normal range
107 g/L 115 – 165 Abnormal
Red blood cell (RBC) count
Result Normal range
3.52 x10^12/L 3.90 - 5.40 Abnormal
Haematocrit
Result Normal range
0.312 L/L 0.360-0.470 Abnormal
Thanks
Kate
0 likes, 10 replies
MariGrace kate50809
Posted
After receiving a bad blood panel result ( highs and lows), I looked up each one, copied the definitions so I could understand it all.
After arming myself with information, then I asked the nurse. Too funny, last visit the doctor made sure to address some of the concerns. Inquiring minds need to know .
Consider giving the nurse a call.
MariGrace
karenjaninaz MariGrace
Posted
MariGrace,
are you taking Curcumin/turmeric by any chance? It cintraindicated in the anemia of chronic disease; it interferes with the body's iron storage needed for oxygen carrying red blood cells (hemoglobin).
kate50809 karenjaninaz
Posted
Thanks for this. Yes I am taking a turmeric supplement which I hoped would lower my cholesterol but I don't think it is doing that very well anyway. I don't know how we would get by without all the knowledge people are willing to share on this site. I will stop the turmeric.
Kate
celia14153 kate50809
Posted
jan21306 kate50809
Posted
good luck !
EileenH kate50809
Posted
They are all low and that means you have anaemia - that is very common in chronic illnesses and especially in autoimmune disorders. It doesn't mean you have pernicious anaemia which is what you would take B12 for.
Once the pred kicks in and the inflammation is reduced they should slowly get back to normal. There is no desperate hurry to do anything about it - asking him the next time you see him or a week Monday will be fine.He may suggest taking some iron - but he may not! It will probably be contributing to any fatigue you may have - but I had PMR fatigue even with seriously healthy Hb levels!!!!
kate50809 EileenH
Posted
Thanks Eileen. I wasn't really worried but did hope I had the solution to this awful fatigue, you know, just pop a few iron pills and it would go! Now that I am not in pain this tiredness is the hardest thing to deal with. I do try to pace myself but sometimes it is difficult.
Does anyone have any tips?
EileenH kate50809
Posted
https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/posts/135650532/fatigue-pacing-spoons-and-a-gorilla...
try this for size - a slightly light-hearted but realistic look at it all!
ptolemy kate50809
Posted
BettyE kate50809
Posted
I have six monthly U+ E's and BP. The procedure is always that " We will contact you if necessary. " I am not happy with this no news is good news approach so always ring and ask. Our surgery has a dedicated number for asking for blood test results and they are always very happy to read me the numbers. With the BP I just ask that the machine is turned toward me so I can see it.!
I can quite see that to put results on line with abnormal but no explanation would ring alarm bells with any of us who do not understand the numbers.