Blood results query

[Twink1]

Why is it so difficult to get blood result readings over the phone? It’s infuriating! Low iron and recommended to take iron 400 mg a day which I think is a lot. B12 reading is 45? Apparently that is fine?!?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

sounds like the result for B12 is active B12 test - and 45 would generally be an okay measure on the active B12 scale.

It is going to be quite difficult for anyone to read out a full blood count over the phone. You should be able to get a copy if you call in at the surgery - though I know it isn't always easy to do that. Some surgeries make test results available online - so might be worth asking if the surgery is one of those.

400mg of iron is high - sure it wasn't folate they were talking about. Would definitely suggest speaking to the GP again before trying that dose.

[fbirder in reply to Gambit62]

Actually, 400 mg a day of ferrous sulfate isn't unusual. bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/ferrou...

I guess it's because it's so poorly absorbed.

[Twink1 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for your response. I’ve spoken to the GP and she said the iron is low but she thinks the B12 is fine. I’ll pop in for a print off so I can fully understand it.

[HelloSun]

It’s not a lot of iron. I was prescribed more than that in the past. But, I needed iron infusions.