MCV, MCH and RBC levels query.

[siskin]

Please can anyone tell me what is possibly going on. I don't know where else to ask.

I have low MCH and MCV and slightly elevated RBC. I supplement with B12 and range is normal. Hb is about 1/4 up in range.

Was told have iron deficient anaemia so take ferrous sulphate.

I have RA. PMR and hypothyroid so the picture is confusing, but I continually feel that somewhere it is a blood problem as the chronic tiredness and lethargy have been a very large part of my life before the advent of these diagnoses.

Thank you.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Were your B12 levels tested before or after you started supplementing B12 - and what levels of B12 are you supplementing.

Unfortunately there is a huge overlap in symptoms between B12 and other conditions so getting to the bottom of things can be very difficult and there can even be several problems involved.

Iron deficient anaemia will leave you feeling tired as your body isn't going to be able to transport the amounts of oxygen that you need. B12 deficiency usual leads to a type of anaemia that is caused by deformed blood cells rather than an iron deficiency itself.

Sorry - really not in a position to give you any definitive answers.

[siskin in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gamit62. Thank you for your reply. Yes I had taken B12 before blood test, didn't know test was to be done.

It is 1000 mcg B12. I gather from Healthspan it the Cyano version, which I now gather is not the best.

I have just seen some of your previous posts and sad to see you are having such a hard time with your Mum.

My Mum went through similar scenario, it was found that she was extremely de-hydrated as no one was monitoring her fluid intake. When that was corrected a lot of her symptons didn't go away, but were markedly improved.

Look after yourself Gambit. Regards.

.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to siskin]

Different people respond differently to different forms of B12 so cyano might be just as good if not better than other forms for you. cyano is the format that is furthest from the one used at the cellular level and there are some potential concerns about the interaction between it and cyanide in smokers but ...

Did you notice any effect at all from taking the B12 - at that dose it is in the realm where, even if nothing is being absorbed in the ileum, some would be getting through from passive absorption (1%) - though that doesn't necessarily work for all people.

It may be that the other conditions have been going on for some time and building up in the background. As above - going to be very difficult to get to the bottom of things.

Mum is another saga entirely - being treated for an ear infection and sounds as if that will be a couple of weeks at least - her blood sugars seem to be more or less under control (suspect they are better controlled than they have been for years and probably as good as they are going to get on the medication she is taking) but the confusion is still there and suffering from the tendency for piecemeal treatment - nurse has been pushing for a blood screen for memory to be done but not sure if the consultant can be bothered or recognises the importance as not their specialism. Hey, ho. Just having a cup of coffee before heading in to the hospital ... where she will probably be asleep but I have some bits to drop off about other conditions, eg her cancer ...

[MDL990510]

Hi just wondering if you could have thalassema minor? My Mch and MCV are low and RBC is high and I found out when I was pregnant that I have beta thalassemia minor. Apparently it should not cause any symptoms only perhaps mild anemia however from reading other peoples experience they would totally disagree. This can look like iron deficiency when its not so I would be cautious of taking iron until you are happy with diagnosis. Just a thought

[siskin in reply to MDL990510]

Hi MDL990510. I find your post very interesting. I looked up beta thalassemia on Mayo site.

I noticed it is more common in Italian, Greek & Middle East

populations.

I regard myself as white, dark brown eyes dark brown hair (was), but my Mother had jet black hair and deep olive skin as did my brother, niece and grand niece. One of my grand nieces was born with a Mongolian blue birth mark which is quite rare in U.K., skin and hair not unusual but very dark brown eyes. I am also B blood group which is more predominant in M.East and Mediteranean areas.

My Mother was always tired and lethargic, so I am going to ask doc. to look into this further. Thank you.

[MDL990510]

You are welcome. I should warn you though that drs don't know much about the blood disorder probably because as you say its mainly related to people of Mediterranean origin. I found out that my mother has it also. We are both white skinned, dak haired but apparently have a Spanish ancestor somewhere along the line. Good luck