I have had a test at the surgery which has come back normal but thought I’d check here? As I don’t understand it and I understand that ferritin is important but that you shouldn’t just take iron if your iron count is good but how do you increase only the ferritin ? Thanks 😊
Ferritin 79. Range 11-307
Full blood count -normal
Total white cell count 5.82 L. Range 4-10
Red blood cell count 5 L. Range 3.80-4.80
Haemoglbin estimation 149 g/L. Range 120-150
Platelet count 266L. Range 150-410
MCV 88.7 fl. Range 83-101
MCH 29.8 pg. Range 27-32
Red blood cell distribution width 12 Range 11.6-14
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Blackpanther46
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Ferritin 79. Range 11-307 --- 23% of the way through the range
Full blood count -normal
Total white cell count 5.82 L. Range 4-10 --- 30% of the way through the range
Red blood cell count 5 L. Range 3.80-4.80 --- 120% of the way through the range
Haemoglbin estimation 149 g/L. Range 120-150 --- 97% of the way through the range
Platelet count 266L. Range 150-410 --- 45% of the way through the range
MCV 88.7 fl. Range 83-101 --- 32% of the way through the range
MCH 29.8 pg. Range 27-32 --- 56% of the way through the range
Red blood cell distribution width 12 Range 11.6-14 --- 17% of the way through the range
For more info on a Full Blood Count this link is helpful, particularly the section on "What does the test result mean". Some individual components of the FBC have their own pages too.
Both of the above links suggest that RBC and Hb could be high when the patient is dehydrated. If you fasted before the blood sample was taken, and didn't drink much or any water then dehydration is the most likely cause of your high in range or over the range results.
I wouldn't ignore the results completely though. I would suggest doing another FBC in, say, three to six months, making sure that you aren't dehydrated (but don't over do it). Being over-hydrated would affect your results as well. If new results show the RBC and Hb getting higher than they currently are then it would be worth following up with a doctor. I don't know what doctors would say about a high RBC and Hb.
As for your MCV (Mean Cell - or Corpuscular - Volume), if this is low it suggests that your iron levels are low. If MCV is high then it suggests that Vitamin B12 or folate (or both) are low. If it is "normal", then it could mean that your iron, B12 and folate are all fine, or that they are all low and have "averaged out" the size of your blood cells. I would suggest that a result that is roughly a third of the way through the range is "normal".
I wouldn't suggest supplementing iron just on the basis of a ferritin level. This thread is worth reading to explain why - read the replies too :
It doesn't go into specifics about TIBC or ferritin, and in that situation I would want to aim for mid-range. In the case of ferritin I would say that mid-range or a little higher would be good.
I never aim for optimal or higher, I always aim for optimal or lower for ferritin and serum iron.
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