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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?
Question: my blood test shows all readings (liver, renal function, blood glucose, etc) ok but haemoglobin 5.5, PCV 22, MCV 69, MCH 18, MCHC 26, RDW 21.6, platelet count 234,000. RBC film shows generally hypochromic micro cystic with mild anisocytosis. some ovalocytes, few macrocytes, elliptocytes, occasional schistocytes and tear drop poikilocytes seen.
Brief Answer:
Iron and Vit B12 therapy adequate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Sorry for your loss.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It appears, you are having microcytic hypochromic (Low MCV, MCHC and MCH) anemia along with severe anisopoikilocytosis (increased RDW - red cell distribution width).
2. This is usually due to iron deficiency at your age. Due to associated few macrocytes and elliptocytes - Vit B12 deficiency is also additionally present.
3. You can get a serum iron studies and Vit B12 assay for confirmation of deficiency.
4. Alternately, you can start treatment with iron and Vit B12 for two weeks and get a reticulocyte count test done. If its more than 3-4%, it means, you had deficiency and bone marrow is responding to treatment with production of new cells.
5. If you are not having any excessive breathlessness at rest, then no blood transfusion necessary. Treatment with Vit B12 and Iron is adequate. Hemoglobin is very low, take rest, eat nutritional food/ supplements - Protein rich diet, along with Vit B12 and Iron. This should help you recover.
6. For complete return of normal for your hemoglobin, by self production of red blood cells, it would take around 4-5 months. Get hemoglobin tested after a month to notice improvement.
7. Platelet count is good and not to be worried.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Iron and Vit B12 therapy adequate.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Jyothi BL and I will be answering your query.
Sorry for your loss.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. It appears, you are having microcytic hypochromic (Low MCV, MCHC and MCH) anemia along with severe anisopoikilocytosis (increased RDW - red cell distribution width).
2. This is usually due to iron deficiency at your age. Due to associated few macrocytes and elliptocytes - Vit B12 deficiency is also additionally present.
3. You can get a serum iron studies and Vit B12 assay for confirmation of deficiency.
4. Alternately, you can start treatment with iron and Vit B12 for two weeks and get a reticulocyte count test done. If its more than 3-4%, it means, you had deficiency and bone marrow is responding to treatment with production of new cells.
5. If you are not having any excessive breathlessness at rest, then no blood transfusion necessary. Treatment with Vit B12 and Iron is adequate. Hemoglobin is very low, take rest, eat nutritional food/ supplements - Protein rich diet, along with Vit B12 and Iron. This should help you recover.
6. For complete return of normal for your hemoglobin, by self production of red blood cells, it would take around 4-5 months. Get hemoglobin tested after a month to notice improvement.
7. Platelet count is good and not to be worried.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
in a day, sometimes i look very very pale but at times my lips shows pinky. is this normal for iron or b12 deficiency or would it suppose to be pale at all times instaed of on and off in the same day? thanks
Brief Answer:
It can vary depending on blood circualtion
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
On and Off paleness is dependent on blood circulation. When the area is exposed to warmth, more blood is seen around the lips area and hence pinky lips. It would not become completely red, due to low hemoglobin (anemia). Other times, due to reduced circulation and also associated anemia, it could be pale.
Paleness and pinky lips color is dependent on circulation and hemoglobin. It can vary and is normal in anemia individuals.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
It can vary depending on blood circualtion
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
On and Off paleness is dependent on blood circulation. When the area is exposed to warmth, more blood is seen around the lips area and hence pinky lips. It would not become completely red, due to low hemoglobin (anemia). Other times, due to reduced circulation and also associated anemia, it could be pale.
Paleness and pinky lips color is dependent on circulation and hemoglobin. It can vary and is normal in anemia individuals.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
thank you for your patience. i started to take 'IBERET FOLIC 500' this morning, so with this I should take a blood test again after a month? anythhing else should i take?
- with current condition, should i minimize my activities and rest? Does sleep help with red blood cell production?
- i also have restless leg symptoms at night during sleep. Can i massage my leg when it happens? Will it affect my blood circulation?
- i assume that i should drink plenty of water?
thanks so much.
- with current condition, should i minimize my activities and rest? Does sleep help with red blood cell production?
- i also have restless leg symptoms at night during sleep. Can i massage my leg when it happens? Will it affect my blood circulation?
- i assume that i should drink plenty of water?
thanks so much.
Brief Answer:
After 15 days, reticulocyte count can be done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
You can take reticulocyte count test after 15 days, to look for increasing reticulocyte count. Continue medication. Along with it, increase diet rich in green leafy vegetables, pulses and if non-vegetarian, you can add fish and lean meat to your diet.
If the activities involved is causing difficulty in breathing, then minimize it. Otherwise, you can continue all activities.
Sleep should be regular and normal 8-9 hours. Reduced sleep can reduce absorption of nutrition. However, increased sleep is of no use.
Yes, you can massage your legs. Blood circulation will be as usual, only your RBC count is low. Otherwise, everything else, including immunity is normal.
Drinking adequate amount of water is necessary. At least 6-8 liters/day. More than that, will only increase toilet frequency and night sleep disturbance. Take necessary fluids after 4 pm to avoid disturbed sleep.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Jyothi BL
After 15 days, reticulocyte count can be done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
You can take reticulocyte count test after 15 days, to look for increasing reticulocyte count. Continue medication. Along with it, increase diet rich in green leafy vegetables, pulses and if non-vegetarian, you can add fish and lean meat to your diet.
If the activities involved is causing difficulty in breathing, then minimize it. Otherwise, you can continue all activities.
Sleep should be regular and normal 8-9 hours. Reduced sleep can reduce absorption of nutrition. However, increased sleep is of no use.
Yes, you can massage your legs. Blood circulation will be as usual, only your RBC count is low. Otherwise, everything else, including immunity is normal.
Drinking adequate amount of water is necessary. At least 6-8 liters/day. More than that, will only increase toilet frequency and night sleep disturbance. Take necessary fluids after 4 pm to avoid disturbed sleep.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
If you do not have any further queries, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
coincidental.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Slight fever is likely to be coincidental.
If it increases, take paracetamol.
Usually reaction to iron can be seen sometimes, like acidity/ gastritis. Or could be related to stress. This can present with mild fever. You need to relax and continue medication.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
coincidental.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking again.
Slight fever is likely to be coincidental.
If it increases, take paracetamol.
Usually reaction to iron can be seen sometimes, like acidity/ gastritis. Or could be related to stress. This can present with mild fever. You need to relax and continue medication.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Jyothi BL
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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