Explanation please

[27-359]

I have just received a copy of the letter sent to my GP after phone consultation with my oncologist. I know that I am BRCA negative, but the letter mentions BRCA wildtype. Had anyone come across this before?

Also, he didn't indicate to me that there were any issues with my blood results, but seeing them written down in the letter, I wonder if anyone knows of a site detailing what "ideal" blood counts should be.

Apparently I have a raised MCV, MCH ??? I just wish he wouldn't presume I am too old and fodder to be given this sort of information personally!

Jenny

[fendweller]

I had the same on a letter ,wild type ,my oncologist laughed and said it meant nothing really just a medical term ,I'm also BRCA negative .

[NotThatGirl]

Hi Jenny,

Elevated MCV means larger than normal red blood cells. This can be indicative of anaemia when combined with a low haemoglobin (macrocytic anaemia).

**I should add that these values can often be a bit up or down without causing any issues. I am typically a bit anaemic (due to iron deficiency), but it's not something that concerns my oncologist.

[Davonian]

I'm wild type too. Definately wild at times! 😆 So yes, Brca negative.

[NotThatGirl]

Sorry, Jenny, I just realised you asked about a site with info about blood test ranges. Reference ranges can vary a bit between labs, but this page might help:

pathology.royalberkshire.nh...

[27-359 in reply to NotThatGirl]

Thank you for that. Just what I was looking for.

Jenny

[Cbyrdie]

I wouldn’t worry too much regarding the blood test results as they vary through treatment and there is an acceptable range to continue treatment. If they were too high or too low your treatment would be postponed.

[bamboo89]

'Wild' type just means it occurred with no definite, attributable cause, in other words, it didn't happen because of a genetic issue such as BRACA. You might have heard the expression wild type in respect of antibodies to Covid - that just means the antibodies aren't there because of a vaccine, but because the infection was caught 'in the wild' so to speak...

As for your blood results, the two you mention have been out of range on my blood reports for at least a year, certainly since I had chemo - I joined the Patients Know Best/Care Exchange scheme online, which means I can see my blood results every time, along with appointments and scan reports. This is quite useful because the results also show the 'normal' levels so I can tell how out of wack they are or aren't and ask about any seriously out of range ones. Note that different hospitals may use different measurements or classify 'normal' levels slightly differently.

Otherwise, you can always ask the Oncology secretary to email you your blood results - these should also show the range of 'normal' levels your hospital uses for comparison with your own results. I have to say the oncologist is entirely unconcerned that those two blood results are not within range...

Miriam

[27-359 in reply to bamboo89]

Thanks for that information. My oncologist seems not to like sharing too much information.

Jenny

[Hidden]

I have had elevated MCV levels for years (due to being on olaparib - it's a known side effect) but otherwise my bloods are normal. My onc said it's an indication that that my bone marrow is under some stress (that it is working a bit harder than normal) but does not regard it as a major issue as things stand. I did keep notes about it early on when they first mentioned it but when I noticed that the level had stabilised, I stopped asking about it.