Advice on FBC Blood Test result

[Maynan17]

Any advice please on my recent FBC blood test results.

For appx 18 months my Haematocrit, Mean Cell Haemaglobin, Haemaglobin Concentration & Red Blood Cell Count are above high reference range.

I was referred to Neurology appx 18 months ago to seek cause and still waiting an OPA.

Concerned that I have no answers why they are elevated but research tells me I could be candidate for DVT or clots due to thick blood.

Wondering if this is related to RLS? Or something else Neurological?

My results are as follows with lab ranges.

Haematocrit :

Jan 23 0.48 (0.36-0.46)

Sept 22 0.46

Mean Cell Haemoglobin Level:

Jan 23 32.7 (27.0-32.0)

Sept 22 32.9

Haemoglobin Concentration Level:

Jan 23 159 (120-150)

Sep 22 153

Red Blood Cell Count:

Jan 23 4.87 (3.8-4.8)

Sept 22 4.66

Any advice is gratefully received.

Thank you

[SueJohnson]

What is your ferritin and your transferrin saturation (TSAT)? These are what are important for RLS. Having high blood counts are caused by RLS nor do they make RLS worse . I am confused though because you mention anemia. I notice you mention Fluoxetine. That makes RLS worse in most people. Also Amitriptyline. A safe antidepressant for RLS is trazodone or Wellbutrin.

[Maynan17 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for your reply.

Last tested for Serum Ferritin Sept 22 and within normal range 152, not had transferrin saturation tested. I’m confused too as I have not mentioned anaemia?

Had RLS before medicated with Fluoxetine. Dr will not prescribe anything else for RLS until seen by Neurologist , just mentioned to try tonic water as has quinine in it.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Maynan17]

(I think that 'the system' has automatically tagged your post with anaemia despite the fact that you haven't mentioned it).

Your doctor - like most - unfortunately clearly knows next to nothing about RLS. The amount of quinine in tonic water nowadays is unlikely to do anything. I'm sure that SueJohnson Joolsg and others will come back with more advice regarding possible RLS.

However, surely your doctor should be able to give more info and advice about your blood test results in general. These don't look to have any particular connection to RLS to me, but you need better medical advice to tell you what they *do* mean. If your doctor is unable to help or is uncertain s/he should have referred to Haematology.

[Aujamw in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue does amitriptyline make RLS worse?

[SueJohnson in reply to Aujamw]

Yes it make RLS worse for many people. Safe antidepressants are Wellbutrin and trazodone, both of which may even help your RLS.

[SueJohnson]

You might want to go private to see a neurologist as the wait is so long. Others especially Joolsg can give you some names who are knowledgeable about RLS. When you do don't let your doctor prescribe a dopamine agonist like ropinirole (requip) or pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead ask your doctor to prescribe gabapentin or pregabalin. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin (75 mg pregabalin). It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg (25 mg pregabalin) every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. (You don't need to split the doses with pregabalin) Most of the side effects of gabapentin and pregabalin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin (200 to 300 mg pregabalin) daily." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin or pregabalin as it will interfere with the absorption of them. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it atHttps://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...