Blood Test Results - Help please!

[Rocketman69]

Hi,

I have obtained my bloods from my doctor, who said (before the bloods were taken, based on test results 3 months ago) that I am anaemic, although I don't know which type of anaemia. I don't have a follow up appointment for some time so was wondering if anyone with a greater knowledge than me, can make head or tail of these results. He did say however, based on prior results, that I do not have iron deficiency anaemia. Unfortunately, according to my results, there was insufficient bloods to obtain a value for several things, see below. In addition, I have had a total thyroidectomy 2 months ago after finding several follicular lesions on both sides of the thyroid, although I am still waiting for pathology results as to whether these were malignant or benign.

Plasma Glucose Level (XM0ly) 5.0mmol/L (3.3-6)

GFR calculated abbreviated MDRD (XaK8y) >90 mL/min

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (XE2m7) 41mm/h (0.0-10.0) Above Range

Serum C reactive protein level (XalNL) 27mg/L (0.0-6.0) Above Range

Haemoglobin concentration (Xa96v) 126g/L (130-170) Below Range

Red blood cell count 4.66 10*12/L (4.5-6.5)

PCV 0.384 (0.4-0.54) Below Range

Mean Cell Volume 82.0 fL (83-101) Below Range

Mean Cell Haemoglobin Level (XE2pb) 26.9 pg (27.0-32.0) Below Range

Mean Cell Haemoglobin concentration 327 g/L (315-360)

Total white blood count 9.3 10*9/L (4.0 - 10.0)

Neutrophil count 5.50 10*9/L (2.0 - 7.0)

Percentage neutrophil count (XE2mP) 59.1

Lymphocyte count 2.43 10*9/L (1.0-3.0)

Percentage Lymphocyte count 26.1

Monocyte count - observation 0.82 10*9/L (0.2-1.0)

Percentage monocyte count (XE2mR) 8.8

Eosinophil count - observation 0.44 10*9/L (0.02-0.5)

Percentage eosinophil count 4.7

Basophil count 0.12 10*9/L (0.0-0.1) Above Range

Percentage basophil count 1.3

Platelet count - observation 279 10*9/L (150-400)

Mean platelet volume 7.3 fL

Serum creatinine level (XE2q5) 80umol/L (62.0-124.0)

Serum Sodium Level (XE2q0) 140mmol/L (135.0-145.0)

Serum Potassium Level (XE2pz) 4.67 mmol/L (3.5-5.0)

Serum Urea Level (XM0lt) 6.7 mmol/L (2.5-6.6) Above Range

Haemoglobin A1c Level (XaPbt) 44 mmol/molHb (26.0-42.0) Above Range

Regret sample insufficient for analysis of B12, folate, ferritin & TSH

Any comments appreciated, Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

Sadly for this forum Rocketman69 "sample insufficient for analysis of B12, folate, ferritin & TSH" is the set of results most useful for this forum.

Is there any chance of getting these done?

Has your doctor not commented on your above and below ranges?

I'm not a medically trained person but there are others on here who will be able to advise you

[Rocketman69 in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clivealive

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I can't get to see a doctor to discuss these until towards the end of the month as the surgery is booking 6 weeks in advance. He has seen the results I am told, but will discuss them with me at my next appointment. The wonders of the NHS I guess..... I was hoping too that I would have the results that are missing, as I want not only to find out about the anaemia issue, but also to combat what I think is hypothyroidism with certain supplements, but wanted confirmation of B12 and TSH levels before doing so. I feel quite tired at the moment and appear to be easily gaining (more) weight which is not good. I was hoping that these results might also give me a clue as to whether I might be insulin resistant and should adopt a low carb diet. All questions for the GP I guess, but was trying to circumvent the 3 week wait to a certain extent and get some answers or advice. Getting the missing results done is something I will ask from my Doctor when I see him, which probably means a further wait of a month or a trip to the docs and another fee to obtain the results and seek advice elsewhere.

[Rocketman69 in reply to clivealive]

A further thing.... as far as the anaemia problem goes, I guess the most important thing from my point of view right now, is to establish exactly what type of anaemia I have. Given that based on a prior set of results, he concluded it was not iron deficiency anaemia, I am wondering if the results I do have can shed any light on what anaemia it is.....

[JMN2017]

Hi Rocketman69

I agree with clivealive regarding the need for B12, Folate, Ferritin, plus Vit D to be done, ideally, before you see the GP again.

Can you ask the receptionists to get a blood request form for these, or get to speak to the GP on the phone so you can request the appropriate forms. The results should only take a matter of days, assuming your surgery and labs are linked via computer system

As for having to pay for results, presumably a print out, can you access appts, ordering prescriptions etc on line? There is also access to blood results etc and the receptionists should be able to arrange this for you, requiring your signature. This information is supposed to be available from ALL surgeries since, I think, last April (2017) although there are some surgeries that are rather behind on this. It's all to do with Freedom of Information (I think) but you are entitled to have access to such things now.

See this page by GMC - gmc-uk.org/publications/rig...

I believe some surgeries charge a nominal fee which probably is for paper, ink/toner and the use of printer! I don't know that they can charge much more. Alternatively, maybe ask to see your results and take a photo of it

Good luck

[Rocketman69 in reply to JMN2017]

Hi

Your suggestion re: getting remaining bloods done was a good one - I called the practice and they have managed to get me in 2 days before my appointment with the GP. Thanks!

[JMN2017 in reply to Rocketman69]

That's great news. Hope the results indicate the cause of your symptoms and that the GP takes notice, interprets them properly and treats accordingly

Unfortunately, even with the signs all pointing to the cause, GPs seem to be blinded - maybe by the glare!!! It's quite scandalous but I hope you don't experience this.

@fbirder has outlined some very good explanations re anaemia so go well-armed with the rationale

Good luck

[fbirder]

The low Packed Cell Volume, Mean Cell Volume and Mean Cell Haemaglobin all point to microcytic (small cell) anaemia. The most common cause of this is iron-deficiency anaemia.

Low B12 and folate are associated with macrocytic (large cell) anaemia.

It is possible to have both. But that would tend to give a normal value for those parameters.

[Rocketman69 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you. I notice that my inflammatory markers are raised too.....

[Gambit62 Administrator]

You have an iron based anaemia - your red blood cells are a little small.

Your result for Haemoglobin A1c indicates that you are pre-diabetic - were you given any advice on diet and exercise to prevent this progressing to diabetes? The result you have indicates that your body isn't managing to control your blood sugar levels very well. This will cause a lot of symptoms that overlap with B12 deficiency.

diabetes.co.uk/hba1c-test.html

[Rocketman69 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi, thanks for your advice, it's very helpful. I've had no discussion at all on these results with a gp as I have to wait another fortnight for an appointment. The blood sugar issue makes sense as I appear to be gaining weight especially on a diet with a 'normal' amount of carbs and I was wondering whether I was becoming insulin resistant. On Levo I appear to be able to control weight a lot easier with a fasting diet. Is this making any sense or am I not understanding how this all works?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Rocketman69]

insulin resistance does tend to result in putting on weight.

The site with the link about the hba1c test does have some dietary advice on it so worth looking at that - basically cut down as much as possible on refined foods and check out foods that have a low glycemic index - this indicates that sugar release into the blood is slow and its the blood sugar spikes that cause the problem. better to have veg than fruit. porridge better than breakfast cereals.