Low RBC count and low HEMOGLOBIN

[anonymous1279]

I am a male, age 40 years

I take B12 and folic acid injections once in 3 months.

my test results for B12, folic acid and HOMOCYSTEINE were within normal range.

However my RBC count of 3.83 million/µL and HEMOGLOBIN at 12.1 gm/dl are significantly lower than than normal. Other parameters in CBC report were normal.

I get fatigued fairly quickly.

What other tests I need to get done ?

Thanks for the help

[fbirder]

Iron, ferritin, iron binding capacity.

[anonymous1279 in reply to fbirder]

My iron, iron binding capacity and % saturation came normal in October of 2019. However, I shall get them checked again.

Thanks for the reply.

[FlipperTD]

And here comes the scientist's approach...

Try not to worry about your Haemoglobin level. It may be below the stated 'normal range' but that range is almost certainly based on (Mean +/- 2 Standard Deviations), which only covers 95% of the 'Normal' population. So, 1 in 20 'Normals' are outside that range.

However, if you take the (Mean +/- 3 SD) then you're probably in the (Mean -3 SD) group. The same logic applies to the Red Cell Count. Lower levels result in better blood flow in blood vessels because your whole blood viscosity is lower, which means that your heart isn't working as hard to pump the red stuff round. (Whole Blood Viscosity is a complex affair and beyond the scope of this website.)

Don't panic!

[anonymous1279 in reply to FlipperTD]

Thanks for the reply. I do understand that it would be easier for the heart to pump a less viscous fluid.

However, my low RBC may probably be the reason for my fatigue.

[FlipperTD in reply to anonymous1279]

You may have a point, but it's also worth noting that your results are almost certainly within the 'normal range' for adult females, and they seem to cope reasonably well!