Confused newbe re: low iron.

[Lynne0762]

The hemotologist reported that if the next lab isn't good, it may be time to look at bone marrow because that's 'where the blood is formed'. But you all are talking about b12 and other things.

8/30/18 gastro doctor: mcv 75 and mch 24 ((low) and rdw 16.3 (high).

9/7 immune doctor: igg 1,2,3, and 4 normal. igM 39 (low) Serotype 5 (5) 705.8 (high) Serotype 9N low at 3.9, Serotype 12F high at 0.9, Serotype 14 (14) low at 4.7, Serotype 17F high at 17.6, serotype 19F low at 5.1, serotype 20 4.8, serotype 23f 11.1, Serotype 11A high at 120.9, serotype 15B low at 1.4, serotype 18c low at 0.6

12/19/18 wbc, rbc, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mcv, mch, mchc platelets, rdw cv and mpv were all normal (primary care test results) Iron results have been low for a long time; I didn't know.

1/4/19 hematology doctor: iron saturation 18 (low)HGB 11.8 (low) mch 24.4 loq mchc 30.4 low, rdw 15.8 high. She's had two infusions of iron.

What I do not like is that he is looking to check bone marrow. But you all are talking about b12 etc. I think this doctor may not know what he's doing. Checking bone marrow sounds painful....and I don't think my daughter has a proper diagnosis yet.

Please respond. Thank you kindly.

Mom

[fbirder]

We are all talking about B12 because we have a different type of anaemia that the one that you have.

We have Pernicious Anaemia. Amongst other things, this causes large red blood cells.

You have iron deficiency anaemia. This causes small red blood cells (which is why your MCV was so low).

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Red blood cells are made by processes in your bone marrow.

This forum is, as fbirder says, about a vitamin deficiency that will affect the efficiency of these processes in a way that causes macrocytic anaemia where red blood cells are larger and rounder than they should be.

You appear to have an iron based anaemia - red blood cells smaller than normal. It is possible that this could be caused by something different going wrong in your bone marrow as it appears he has ruled out every other possible cause but I would suggest that you follow up to confirm that with the haematologist.

[Lynne0762 in reply to Gambit62]

I finally found this on NIH

says Microcytic anemia is defined as the presence of small, often hypochromic, red blood cells in a peripheral blood smear and is usually characterized by a low MCV (less than 83 micron 3). Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia. The absence of iron stores in the bone marrow remains the most definitive test for differentiating iron deficiency from the other microcytic states, ie, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia. However, measurement of serum ferritin, iron concentration, transferrin saturation and iron-binding capacity, and, more recently, serum transferrin receptors may obviate proceeding …………

so sounds like microcytic anemia. Thanks for replying.

[Laura5]

Has she been tested for coeliac disease?

[Lynne0762]

Don't know what the test for celiac disease is but I don't think so. She is seeing a haematologist/oncologist. If he has anything drastic to say in the next appt. I'll seek another opinion. I can't understand myself how each component works with another in the blood so sorry to have bothered you. I didn't realize she doesn't have this type of anemia. She has small cells. Thank you for the explanation. Now I have to find out that diagnosis...whatever it means. Wish me luck!