Understanding your blood test results

[JP1952]

Hi,

Can anybody tell me the significance of high mean cell volume and high mean haemoglobin volume.

Thanks

[Tico]

MCV and MCH go hand in hand meaning if one is high the other nearly always is too. Have you had you B12 and Folate levels checked recently? Their can be several causes of your levels being high including certain Medications including Hydrea. When your MCV's and MCH's are high it means your red bloods cells are larger than normal and Drs, refer to it as Macrocytosis.

[JP1952 in reply to Tico]

I've just had a FBC and had the results emailed to me ahead of my consultation tomorrow. I noted high MCV and MCH, high platelets , but low RBC. No mention of B12 or folate so I guess they're. not done as part of a FBC. I am currently taking 13 hydrea capsules per week.Thanks for your explanation, wait and see what haemo says tomorrow.

[Tico in reply to JP1952]

That would make sense that you would have low RBC's as you would have fewer when then grow too large. Tina.🤗

[JP1952 in reply to Tico]

Ahh thank you. I never thought of that.

[Wyebird in reply to JP1952]

I have a copy of my blood results in front of me when I’m on the phone. I also compare with the previous ones. Some people say it’s a no no but for me it’s necessary. It’s my way of coping. The hydroxi will have an impact on all the blood cells and not just the ones that are being over produced. I admire our heamos. They are balancing numerous plates in the air. Constantly fine tuning in order for us to get the best results.

[JP1952 in reply to Wyebird]

Yes, I'm with you on being informed because I was asking for the relevant results anyway and it was a scrabble to write them down whilst processing what was being said. The alteration of meds then makes sense. Think I am only just getting any understanding of the number of things measured in the blood and how they can all be altered by meds, not just the ones targeted. Thank you for helping in my understanding. I'm sure it will help when I have my consultation that I get what's going on.

[Tico in reply to Wyebird]

Very good idea, to have previous blood results on hand then you can compare them to your latest results. I do this since we switched to telephone consultations. Tina.🤗