Low haemoglobin and low haemocrit...what does that mean??

[Athyrium]

I've got issues with chronic pain and severe lethargy so gp did bloods to see what came up...they came back fine except for low haemoglobin and low haemocrit. So gp did some more..all came back fine. My ferritin is in normal range tho not especially high (44, range is 30 - 470.) So what should I do, if anything? GP is now away for a while, getting appts is a nightmare anyway, so any thoughts or advice would be really appreciated.

[BlackInk]

Hi OP

It means that you are anaemic. There are different types of anaemia, which show in your blood in different ways. Were you tested for folate or B12? That should be the next step. Do you have heavy periods or symptoms of a stomach ulcer?

BI

[TantricTwist]

You now need to find out the cause of your anaemia.

[TantricTwist]

They will do further tests and if neccessary refer you to a Haematologist.

[Athyrium]

Thanks for replies. When the second round of bloods came back fine no further action was taken or suggested. To be fair, folate and B12 were both fine. I've started to supplement with iron because I feel shocking at the mo so hoping I'll pick up. I need to work out why Im anaemic then do I? Periods heavy for a couple of days only, will google ulcer symptoms but don't think so...strange.

[BlackInk]

Do you know how low they were? And were they normal when you had the repeat blood tests done?

My haematocrit is always just below range and my GP doesn't seem interested...

[Athyrium]

Haemoglobin was 116 (range 120 - 150)
Heamocrit 0.36 (range 0.37-0.45)

They weren't retested in the second round that all came back fine.

[khaleesi71]

Do you have any symptoms? Hb isn't very low and ferritin also OK (can indicate inflammation or anaemia of chronic disease) - suggest if GP happy then go back in 6 weeks for another set if asymptomatic.

[Athyrium]

khaleesi71 i feel dreadful...never had exhaustion like it.

[khaleesi71]

Dis they also check thyroid and liver function?