Am I unreasonable for requesting a full iron panel with these results?

GP said on the phone that nothing in my FBC suggested anemia and that my 'iron was tested in August and was fine'. I didn't have my notes in front of me so got flustered but I have an appointment this afternoon and I'd like to challenge her on it but I want to make sure I'm right!

Edit: The photo looks as though it is a bit small to see. (asterisked ones are the ones that give me pause for thought)

*Ferritin - 23 (15 -350) 2% through range

Total white blood count 5.7 (4.0 - 11.0) 25%

*Red blood cell count4.16 (3.5 - 5.5) 33%

*Haemoglobin concentration118 (115.0 - 165.0) 6%

*Haematocrit0.379 (0.37 - 0.47) 9%

Mean cell volume91.1 (78 - 100) 59.55%

*Mean cell haemoglobin level28.4 (27.0 - 32.0) 28%

*Mean cell haemoglobin concentration311 (320 - 360) -22.5%

Red blood cell distribution width13.70% (11.5 - 15.5) 55

%

Platelet count - observation264 (150 - 400) 45.6%

Mean platelet volume 9.7 (8.0 - 12.0) 42.5%

Neutrophil count 3.2 (2.0 - 7.5) 21.82%

Lymphocyte count1.8 (1.5 - 4.5) 10

%

Monocyte count - observation0.4 (0.2 - 1.0) 25%

Eosinophil count - observation0.27 (0.04 - 0.4) 63.89%

Basophil count0.1<0.3

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

geworgie3008

It's difficult to read your results even on my large PC monitor but it looks like your FBC doesn't suggest anaemia but you can have iron deficiency without anaemia.

Your ferritin is very low in range and suggests doing an iron panel to see what levels your serum iron and transferrin saturation are.

I would point out to your GP that it's possible to have iron deficiency without anaemia and your ferritin, being only 2% through it's range, would seem to suggest that something isn't right. If she says it's within range then point out that so would 299 be in range and there would be a vast difference in how you feel between a level of 23 and 299.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, Suzie. Very appreciated.

My overriding reason to get it tested is shortness of breath and just not being able to fill my lungs properly, I explained that to her. She dismissed anaemia but didn't offer any other possible reason. So I guess she's happy to leave me struggling to breathe. 🙄

I'll ask her about iron deficiency.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Geworgie3008

Check out this site for a list of symptoms of iron deficiency. It keeps locking up on my device, you may have more luck

healthline.com/nutrition/ir...

Shortness of breath is listed at number 3

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

GP is doing another FBC, CRP, and Plasma Viscosity but no iron panel so I guess I'll get that done privately so I can know how best to improve my symptoms; iron tablets or iron rich food!

[sophiaS1980]

Ferritin is stored iron, what is your actual iron level, saturation?

[Hidden in reply to sophiaS1980]

No clue! Which is why is like an iron panel!

[Lora7again]

When I had low ferritin I ate pate twice a week and took Spatone. Having low ferritin contributed to my extreme hair loss and I was advised by a hair loss site that it needs to be over 80 for hair growth.

[Hidden in reply to Lora7again]

I will pick up some spatone after payday! I do see it mentioned a lot on this site so I'll give it a go. I am veggie so I'm going to look at incorporating much more leafy greenery in my meals.

I had very thick hair that took the hairdressers 40 minutes to dry! but I've lost so much now that I can see my scalp when I tie it back. Since 2013 my ferritin has never been more than 11% through the range but it was in range so it was never brought to my attention.