Blood tests.... not what I was hoping

[WideBody]

I am a bit confused....

On 10/14/19 my Ferritin was 120, TSP was 38% this was 8 weeks after an infusion. My Hemoglobin was 15.4 and Hematocrit was 45.4. RBC was 4.96

On 3/6/20 Ferritin was 278, TSP went to 63%! damn that's high, but skewed by oral supplements. My Hemoglobin was 14.1 and my Hematocrit was 41.0. RBC was 4.52.

So now it 10/19/20 and my Ferritin is 302, TSP has fallen to 46%. I am only taking it 5 nights a week. My Hemoglobin is 13.1 and Hematocrit is 38.2. BOTH Those numbers are BELOW accepted levels! 13.1 and 38.5 being the lower level. And RBC is 4.2 which IS the lowest accepted level.

It is official. I am now anemic? WTF? Sorry, but I wasn't anemic before this mess, I was iron deficient. Now I have a ton of iron and I am officially anemic?

Where's my 2020 Bingo card?

[Hidden]

Ferritin can be skewed by iron supplementation. It can also be skewed by inflammation. The inflammation may be asymptomatic.

As you're becoming increasingly anemic, there's probably something causing it.

You need to have some investigations for what's causing it.

[WideBody in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Manerva. I am at a loss. I will speak with my Doctor about this, but I am wary of Doctors right now and finding a good specialist seems a bit difficult. I will look for a haematologist this time. The Neurologist at OHSU was a disaster.

[Hidden in reply to WideBody]

I wasn't thinking of a haematologist exactly.

If you're losing iron, you may be losing blood from somewhere. It might only be a small amount but consistently.

I would discuss this first with your primary doctor.

[LotteM]

WideBody, I think your results are far from standard. I would suggest your talk to a haematologist for interpretation.

Furthermore, I agree with with Manerva re the oral iron and inflammation influencing ferritin values. Next time you have your blood taken, stop taking oral iron (and other supplements) at least a week before.

[WideBody in reply to LotteM]

Thanks for the reply LotteM. I should have added. I stop supplementing a week before. The instructions are 48 hours, but I stop all supplements one week before. My Vitamin D was low again too.

[WideBody]

Thanks everyone. My Doctors appointment is monday morning at 8:30. fingers crossed. I would have preferred to have waited till 2021.

[DicCarlson]

Excellent article on iron test explanation... bloodtestsresults.com/iron-...

[WideBody in reply to DicCarlson]

Thanks DicCarlson. That looks like an excellent article, I will be reading it later today. BTW, my Ferritin was at 300. So I will not be supplementing with iron bisglycinate, once a day at night. My Vitamin D was low. I am the most tanned person with Low Vitamin D that I know of! So I plan on doing Vitamin D too. I am heading to my primary Doctors on Monday.