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Has anyone else had blood tests like this?
I read internal bleeding, cancer, kidney disease. Although Kidney functions seem to be normal.
Dr hasn’t gotten back to me.
My hemoglobin was always around 15. 2 years ago it was 11.4 and now 9.2.
CBC WITH DIFFERENTIAL
WBC
5.5 10*3 /uL Reference Range 3.9 - 11.0
RBC
5.03 10*6 /uL Reference Range 3.85 - 5.12
MCV
65.8 fL Reference Range 79.9 - 98.4
RDW
18.6 % Reference Range 11.2 - 15.9
Hemoglobin
9.2 g/dL Reference Range 11.3 - 15.2
Hematocrit
33% Reference Range 35.0 - 44.8
MCH
18.3 pg Reference Range 26.9 - 32.2
The low MCV, high RDW and high Platelet count is suggestive if not pathognomonic of iron deficiency anemia. Medical history for bleeding is essential. Thalassemia and other inherited hemoglobin abnormalities are less likely but iron studies and hemoglobin electrophoresis if indicated.
Age is important as the more older the individual is then without overt signs and symptoms of hemorrhage occurring then colon cancer would need to be ruled out.
Those results are unremarkable along with the WBC count. The overall impression is that one cell line RBC is being impacted while the platelet count is reactive at this point. More information would be obtained if a blood smear review were done by a pathologist or hematologist. Additional tests and clinical information is needed for the proper interpretation of all tests. All tests have to be reviewed within a clinical context which is lacking at present.
Don't go too far down the road of concern here. Anemia is a common condition, and while there are some scary causes, the cause is much more frequently something benign. Your doctor's evaluation of these labs in the context of their clinical evaluation is much more useful than what we internet folks think.
You know how they say that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client? I extend that to those who try to diagnose themselves have the same for a patient.
You are waiting for the doctor to get back to you and yet you go on the internet to get non-medical people (for the most part) to diagnose you.
Consistent with iron deficiency anemia. That isn't a diagnosis but a symptom of either chronic blood loss or lack of iron absorption which is more rare.
A review of medical history is important. One locates the source of bleeding as either menses or gastrointestinal or urinary loss of iron. Testing and history are required. If one is over 50 years old or in some cases younger now one looks at colon or other sources of blood loss.
I haven’t had a heavy period in the last 2 months but last year and early this year I would sometimes have a period twice a month. In perimenopause.
Can past bleeding cause anemia?
I haven’t had a heavy period in the last 2 months but last year and early this year I would sometimes have a period twice a month. In perimenopause.
Can past bleeding cause anemia?
One needs to be evaluated and most doctors want to rule out the bad stuff first and then if everything is stable then one can fall back on other possibilities.
A medical history of possible genetic bleeding tendencies is important as it can deplete the iron stores. One can also have abnormal uterine bleeding taking place. Constitutional symptoms such as weight loss is important.
Based on the doctors testing and reaction over the past year, it seems they have some clinical suspicion that they are working on based on your medical history. They certainly aren't rushing into anything based on the timeline you mention. It's unclear whether they suggested iron pills or treatment or simply watched your hemoglobin levels drop.
To answer your question indirectly about past bleeding causing anemia, if one were to have one episode of bleeding resulting in a blood loss anemia the red blood cells would be normal size. You have very small red blood cells indicating a chronic loss that depleted the iron stores bleed by bleed over time. The vast majority of the iron in the body is stored in the red blood cells. If red blood cells are lost then the iron is lost. Past bleeding caused the loss of iron thus resulting in iron deficiency anemia. Not enough iron caused the red blood cells to be small. One looks at the net balance of iron ingested and iron being lost. One wants a positive balance rather than a negative balance. A negative balance maintains the deficiency. If bleeding stops then one can start gaining a positive balance.
That's about as far as one can go based on the testing so far presented.
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