I just finished a diet of 4 weeks where I lost just over 10 pounds. So 3 or 4 days after the diet I had blood work done - These are the changes in 4 weeks since the previous test.
White blood count went from 5 down to 2.2
Red blood count went from 3.5 down to 2.9
Hemoglobin down from 131 to 115
Hemocrit down from 0.4 to 0.34
Mean Corpuscular Volume up from 115 to 118
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin up from 37.4 to 39.8
Red cell Distribution Width up from 14.6% to 16%
Platelet Count up from 429 to 568
Neutrophils down from 2.5 to 1.0
I take 2 pills of Hydroxyurea each day and I actually have felt really well. I was anemic there 1.5 years ago and have been taking a prescription to help with that - Ferritin levels before were as low as 17 - now 160.
Anyways - I'm just wondering if anyone that has E.T. like myself has experienced anything similar. I have my next online appointment with Hematologist next Thursday so will get some input at that time! If the changes are due to dieting and taking Hydroxyurea I suspect I will get a bit of a lecture!
Have a good weekend everyone!
Written by
ET824
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
You definitely need to review these values with the hematologist. These numbers indicate anemia and neutropenia. Since most iron comes from recycled red blood cells, it seems unlikely that a month of dieting would have a significant impact. However, anemia and neutropenia can both be adverse effects associated with HU. I would be far more suspicious of a hydroxyurea adverse effect than from the dieting unless you were doing something very extreme. I would note that if you were already borderline in your iron levels then restricting iron intake would be a bad idea. Note also that iron deficiency can cause reactive thrombocytosis, which may be part of what is going on.
your MCV is a bit on the high side which could suggest Vit B12 deficiency. Would be a good idea to get this checked too. Whilst you’re at it, get your folate, ferritin and vit D levels checked as well.
never heard of that, there can be variations in labs occasionally, best not base anything on one lab, if in doubt test again at same time of day and same hydration
I dont know what your diet entailed but here is what happens to me: if i eat mainly fruit and veg i (no junk carbs) i lose and maintain a healthy weight but eventually start feeling weaker. As i do a manual labour job, my strength is noticeable. And at some point i have to add atleast 200grams of red meat if not more in my meals. But its problematic. The more red meat i eat the stronger and energetic i feel but at the same time have to deal with that heavy feeling of meat being slowly digested through my stomach. Many times ived tried to follow government recommendations of eating less read meat but i keep having to go back to it. To feel better. And my blood report reads similar to yours.
I wouldn’t go too extreme with Less red meat. Some people do need more than others. Well not just red meat in particular but red has the most nutrition.
It can be pro inflammatory for some, but for others it can be neutral or beneficial to a degree. You wouldn’t know without tests but one marker can be how you feel.
As for OP I would say def something to check with Dr as I would think that’s a big drop from diet alone.
Im not asking anyone to go any extemes with meat. In not pro meat or against it. I simply am presenting my experience for the OP to consider. I suspect it probably is pro inflammatory for me 🤷🏻♂️
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
I’ve had Polycythemia Vera for 10 years. Dr. suspects it is turning into Myleofibrosis 
Excessive sweating
Advice on blood counts, switch to Besremi
How long for hydroxyurea to lower platelets? 
