QuestionHi, I wrote to you a few days ago concerning unintentional weight loss. I just received the results of my latest CBC and iron and I'm very concerned. My doctor's answer was to put me on a prescription iron supplement and recheck in 6 weeks; however I've been off and on supplements over the past 3 years with my levels only dropping. Should I push for further testing at this point?
Here are the abnormal results:
IRON 48 L (50-170)
TRANSFERRIN SAT 15 L (20-50%)
WBC 3.9 L (4.8-10.8)
RBC 4.12 L (4.50-5.50)
HCT 36.7 L (37.0-47.0)
PLATELET 116 L (150-430)
I've been getting progressively more tired, irritable, weak, yada yada over the past couple of years. They've basically ignored me and chalked it up to depression, but now my numbers are getting out of whack. Coupled with the extreme weight loss, I'm worried! Since my doctor didn't seem concerned, any advice? Thanks!
AnswerYou will not get an instant fix nor an instant answer to your questions. Some will involve trials of replacement and determining your response to those.
Looking at these tests, yes the iron is low but the HCT is keeping up (very close to normal) so your fatigue and weight loss has nothing to do with anemia. You haven't depleted your iron stores enough to get significantly anemic but do need replacement.
It is a little concerning (may be nothing) that all your CBC values are down a little.... none dangerously low but all a little low making me wonder if your blood making system is struggling a little bit.... that can be from a nutritional deficiency, medicine that you are on, viral illnesses and others, but I would at least repeat that over the next month to see if it is climbing, staying the same or falling.
I get a lot of these and can't see what you sent me the first time, but keep up with them and be patient.... if your doc can't work through this, then have them refer you to specialists.
