Anemia with ET

[Artemide]

I start to have anemia with normal ferritin I have ET CALR type 2 since 17 years what does that mean progression?

[hunter5582]

Anemia (deficiency in erythrocytes - RBC/HGB) is not the same thing as iron deficiency, though iron deficiency can cause it. It could mean a number of things. It does not necessarily mean progression into MF. Suggest you review all of your iron levels along with all of the erythrocyte levels with your care team. This will tell you more about what is going on.

• Serum iron. This test measures the amount of iron in your blood.

• Serum ferritin. This test measures how much iron is stored in your body. When your iron level is low, your body will pull iron out of “storage” to use.

• Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This test tells how much transferrin (a protein) is free to carry iron through your blood. If your TIBC level is high, it means more transferrin is free because you have low iron.

• Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC). This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron.

• Transferrin saturation. This test measures the percentage of transferrin that is attached to iron.

• Red blood cell count (RBC or erythrocyte count)

• Hematocrit (Hct)

• Hemoglobin (Hbg)

• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)

• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

• Red Cell Width Distribution (RDW)

The doc will likely want to do a CMP (Complete Metabolic Profile) as well as a repeat of the CBC. You may also need to take a broader look at other nutritional deficiencies to see the whole picture.

Hope that helps. Do let us know how you get on.

[Artemide in reply to hunter5582]

My hemoglobin is abnormal since two months 117 in March 114 in April usually I was around 130-132

[hunter5582 in reply to Artemide]

I think your lab must be reporting HGB differently. My lab reports in units of g/dL with a reference range of 11.20 - 17.50 as "normal." RBCs show in units of 10^6 /uL with a reference range of 3.93 - 6.08. Interpreting the numbers on your CBC is always in relation to the reference range that lab uses.

Note that there are different reference ranges. "The normal range for hemoglobin is: For men, 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter. For women, 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter."

mayoclinic.org/tests-proced...

Assuming that the 117/114 translates to 11.7/11.4 that could be considered mildly low on HGB. There are multiple potential causes. (see this link)

If your hemoglobin level is lower than normal, you have anemia. There are many forms of anemia, each with different causes, which can include:

Iron deficiency

Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Folate deficiency

Bleeding

Cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukemia This includes MPNs

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Hypothyroidism

Thalassemia

Please do be sure to bring your concern to the attention of your care team. Hope you get answers soon. Do please let us know what you learn.

[Artemide in reply to hunter5582]

Yes we report it differently I am I’m Montreal Canada your 12 is our 120 so that’s why my hemoglobin is low and that I have anemia My hematologist told me that next month he is going to check if my anemia ( with normal ferritin ) is cause by folate b12 or inflammatory related

I’m just scared I am progressing to post -ET myeofibrosis

I am on Pegasys since 10 years.

[hunter5582 in reply to Artemide]

The worry is understandable. We all have it. I would note that you may also be having some anemia as a side effect of the Pegasys amongst the other possible reasons.

Hope you get it sorted out ASAP.

[Johan2021]

Hi! How are you? Did you get any answers? My red blood cell count is dropping as well. Diagnosed with ET CALR type one. I am also scared :/ i am doing another blood test in a month.