Blood test queries

[Kittybaker]

Second bloods back from my GP. CRP levels raised. FBC raised. folic acid extremely low, low iron. I have been tested for pernicious anaemia and that wasn’t it. I am on B12 injections every 8 weeks and Vit D ampoules twice monthly. All GP prescribed

I don’t have the print out sorry for my bloods to give the levels

Have been on Riveroxoban for three years.

Today I have had a chest x ray but I do not know the outcome as yet.

Can anyone shed some ideas on why my bloods are raised and I seem to not retain vitamins?

My GP is baffled. I am just frustrated as I feel so tired all the time.

I have had a DVT and PE in the past seven years, but nothing since.

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Hello Kitty,

It’s quite common to have results that flag similar to yours.

An elevated CRP is a very general indication of active inflammation in your body.

In absent of any known viral or bacterial or other know inflammatory process other than auto immune disease, it’s very likely a result of ... your auto immune disease, or mix of your auto immune disease if you have more than one at play.

If it’s quite high due to AI, your Rheumatoligist will look at what’s changed and why, and what needs to be done about it.

At the pinned post section on this forum, please look for an article entitled vitamins and minerals. It will discuss what commonly low with us, and what levels we need. Follow the ensuing threads of conversation that ensues.

Additionally, please ask to be checked for hyper homocysteinemia. I have this- it’s just one more factor that makes you a little more prone to clot.

My Texan Hematologist ran the test and I was prescribed 1 mg methylated folic acid and got my folic acid level up. He told me it must be methylated to be absorbed correctly in the body.

My English Vascular surgeon in London ( Harley Street / ULCH Professor Toby Richards) said, “oh yes... American Doctors and their fixation on everything needing to be methylated...”

So see what your doctor suggests... my numbers are in range now!

Be sure to get that thyroid tip top! So easy, right!? 😉

[Kittybaker in reply to KellyInTexas]

Thank you for all this information.

My levels are always up and down. I did explain to the GP that APS will affect the ranges and that basically our bodies are like little war zones but inside, but he doesn’t have any understanding of APS so it didn’t change his view point.

Last year my thyroid fluctuated between over and under with different results in 13 blood tests. Nothing was done. It was a case of we don’t know why so there is nothing we can do

I don’t have a rheumatologist sadly just a haematologist

Thank you for the full response

[GinaD]

I was anemic with low B 12 , calcium, iron and D numbers until I found I had celiac/gluten sensitivity. It is called "celiac" disease because the cellia in your small intestine (site of most vitamin and mineral absorption) become inflamed and shrink. Your small intestine is supposed to look like a shag rug. Mine looked like a PVC pipe.

Note, I have never been officially diagnosed as "celiac," but that's what I tell restaurant waiters. But after going gluten free, all those vitamin and mineral blood numbers rose from low to normal; and my rheumatoid factors fell from high and sky high to normal or high normal. So every doc who has witnessed those changes has told me to regard myself as "celiac, or gluten senstive" and avoid gluten.

You might explore a food sensitivity induced gut malabsorption as a factor.

[Kittybaker in reply to GinaD]

Thank you for that. They go has requested Celiac bloods to see, as he thinks it’s my gut with lack of a absorption. Is this a APS related illness or just one of those things?

I wish somedays we could have run a diagnostic check on our body like a car to pin point everything!

Thanks for the response

[GinaD in reply to Kittybaker]

The standard gluten sensitivity test is not always accurate at identifying patients who would be healthier on a gluten free diet. If gut absorption is a probable factor you might explore going gluten free for a month or so and see what happens. Due to the rising numbers of gluten free customers, it is not that hard to find gluten free alternatives. Celiac.org has a lot of info on going gluten free.

You also might consider seeing a nutritionist as there may be other allergy/ sensitivities at play. Identifying which ones often requires an annoying elimination diet. I found I was also allergic to cashews and avoiding them resulted in another boost to my energy and cognitive levels. The annoying diet was worth the results.