Finally got a copy of my test results. Refer to old posts for updates. But do my levels for all my other tests look ok? Does my ferritin need to be higher? It's 18
Copy of blood tests: Finally got a copy... - Pernicious Anaemi...
Copy of blood tests
Ferritin is a protein that enables the body to use iron. It isn't listed in the results above - but the iron related elements all look to be around the middle of the range.
However, raised MCV is a flag for macrocytosis and your MCH is towards the top of the range as well
Your red blood cell distribution width is towards the high end of the scale which could indicate that there is something going on that is masking part of the macrocytosis and causing some of the red blood cells to be smaller than they should be - which is something an iron deficiency would do.
Basically the test results above are a very narrow window and far from conclusive on anything but suggesting that it might be worth doing further investigations
There is an exclamation mark next to MCV which i think is the lab's way of indicating the result should be taken notice of. What did GP say about MCV result?
As Gambit says, high MCV can indicate the possibility of macrocytosis. Macrocytosis can occur in people with b12 deficiency and folate deficiency.
patient.info/doctor/macrocy...
labtestsonline.org.uk/under...
Have you been offered a blood smear , also known as blood film?
18 for ferritin is usually very low but it is helpful to see what the iron readings are. If they are ok then 18 is low and you'll be having symptoms such as hair loss, tiredness and muscle aches.
If you try and raise it - take iron with Vit c to help absorption. Nb it takes a while for ferritin to raise and then a few weeks later for symptoms to improve