Who's good at interpreting blood test results?

[Bartlebee]

My son (16) was experiencing heart palpitations, leg cramps and general tiredness.

I suspected anaemia & took him to GP.

He was given ECG (normal) and blood test. GP said blood test results were normal, but I've collected it today and his Haemoglobin levels are all on the low side (slightly lower than the normal range).

Should I go back to the GP? Does he need iron?

Any advice would be welcome.

Surely if they're within normal range, then they're fine? If you feel he could benefit from some extra iron, get him a multi vitamin and minerals supplement or some Spatone.

But they're not within normal range. Eg Haemoglobin normal range is 130-170 and his is 128, corpuscular volume is 78 - 100 and his is 73 etc

Is it normal for blood tests to come back with a ! Beside some levels and GP to declare them normal?

The ! means it needs to be investigated or monitored further.

128 is normal - not sure about the other one

! Means a discussion with docs and usually repeat bloods before they act on it

Sounds like verrrrry mild microcytic anaemia (the kind caused by iron deficiency). With levels that close to normal I'd probably say "normal" too, however if he has some symptoms then no harm to stick him on some spatone and encourage iron rich foods for a few weeks to see if it improves things.

Thank you, wise ones.

So, I attempted to get a strongish iron supplement from Boots pharmacy before I got his results - but they got all weird with me and told me to get the standard multivitamin.

I should get a prescription for him, yes. And then ask for a repeat blood test.

He has grown like a triffid over the last 6 months, it may be related.

Too much iron can be a bad thing especially on a man I would go with multi vit or spatone.

Boots won't sell ferrous sulphate over the counter, even though they can.

You could try Floradix or another 'tonic'.

Is there a reason he can't eat iron rich foods? You absorb nutrients far better from good food than from supplements.

Here are a few to get you started: red meat, green veg, especially dark green, peanut butter, eggs, dark chocolate.

Yes. Green leafy veg and red meat is a good start rather than supplements. He is borderline after all.

Yes, I think I'll up the iron rich food and get him back into the habit of cereal for breakfast.

He eats loads of fish but virtually no red meat. He'll be more than happy to tuck into the odd steak. This has made me think - we think our diet is healthy, but we are going to make it better.