LDH and FATIGUE

[loveRicky]

Should our heart doctors put us on a statin IF our LDH is 280? I have CLL. I also had congestive heart failure in 2016. I had my aortic valve replaced with an Edwards Sapien Pig Valve via TAVR. I began the statin and several times during the day, for a brief moment, I feel like I could pass out. I am on 20mg of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets (20mg).

Also, how low should your rbc and hemoglobin should be to perhaps need transfusions? Some of my last labs revealed: rbc 3.45 (L) Hemoglobin 3.45 (L), MCV 99(H), platelets 129(L) and kappa light chain 31.5(H). I, too, experience fatigue, but am being told....it's your age...accept it. I just turned 79, but I am a very determined person. When I want to accomplish something, I push and push, but here of late, there isn't anything left to push with. I still feel young in heart and do not consider myself to be an old, decrepit lady....lol!

Exercising for me is a bit difficult due to the lymphedema/ulcers. In the Winter, I have barely any swelling, but from the rounds of chemo I had for Waldenstroms in 2012 I do have bad neuropathy. Again, I try and make the best out of my situation. It is just me and my cat, Ricky, so I have no choice but to get things done. I lost the love of my life in 2010 to cancer.

Enjoy your day!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

LDH is the abbreviation for Lactate Dehydrogenase not high density lipoprotein (HDL), so is not statin related.

Haemoglobin is a more accurate measure than red blood cell count for anaemia, but you do appear to be anaemic, as noted by the (L)s and feeling like you might pass out could also indicate this. What's the reference range for your haemoglobin measurement? I expect it is measuring in moles not grams?

Please use your determination to look into and address causes of your low red blood cell and haemoglobin with your regular doctor and CLL specialist. You don't want to pass out and risk a fall, particularly given you only have your cat as a companion.

Neil

[loveRicky in reply to AussieNeil]

Neil.....thank you! I will address my low counts. As for the statin, the sum of 274 is the total sum of LDL (187), HDL (15) and VLDL (12). The LDL is labelled high. So again, if CLL could cause high cholesterol, since I eat a healthy diet, still a statin? I want to mention, when I have a CBC done, it always states my blood must be pre-warmed to 37 degrees. They are suspecting it is cryoglobulin...monoclonal proteins may clump together at a body temp below 98.6 degrees. The clumping blocks blood flow. I ALWAYS test negative for cold agglutinin disease. Neil, should I be pursuing this further with my doctors? They have me so focused on "old age," that I am almost afraid to open my mouth, which I know is not a good thing.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to loveRicky]

You can find discussions on cholesterol and CLL here: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

With respect to cyroglobulin and cold agglutinin disease, a few members do have this. See: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Don't be fobbed off by doctors discounting concerns about your quality of life due to your chronological age. CLL specialists certainly recognise that when it comes to treatment options influenced by patient age, it's not a simple matter of chronological age, but how 'fit' the person is for their age. There are 'old' people in their 40s and 'young' people in their 80s.

Neil

[loveRicky in reply to AussieNeil]

Once again, Neil, thank you very much for the provided sites. As for age, I agree with you totally. I do NOT consider myself old. What is that saying....You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. Thanks again.