Question about anemia and my blood result

[Bringonthesunforthewashing]

Hi all,

I have just rung for my blood results, spoke to the receptionist who advised the doctor would like to see me as I had mild anemia at a level of 4.

After reading (as you do!), 4 seems very low. I have been feeling dreadful for months so finally rang and got my bloods checked.

I asked if the other readings were okay, she couldn’t tell me without permission from the doctor as there were so many abnormal ones!!

I am now worried

You can request a copy of your results, which would need to be signed off by the doctor first. Did you make an appt in the meantime?

Is that your Hb or ferritin level?

Hb is described in higher multiples nowadays, so you would have been told 40 not 4. An Hb of 4 in old parlance is very severe anaemia and you should be on your way to A&E, not booking a routine appointment!

Thank you.

she just said doctor would like a face to face as your mildly anemic at 4.

I have been so unwell for a few months. Feel like I am about to faint but never do, breathless all the time and blood pressure and resting pulse rate up. (My mum was a nurse so said would be a good idea to check blood pressure). Usual rate is around 110/88, pulse 88.

I am worried it’s my heart. Suppose I am overthinking!

Even if it’s your ferritin level that is 4 you are not mildly anaemic…ferretin is your iron store so if it is 4 you are severely anaemic. Mine was 5, my hb was 8 , felt like I was dying, I had to have an iron infusion, that was in April and I am only in the last month starting to feel well. You will have tests to find out why you are anaemic. My blood results were missed by my GP l, kept being told they were fine. Hopefully you will get sorted quickly. You would not be anaemic with an hb of 40 and you would be in hospital if it was 4.

@Throwncrumbs thank you.

I suppose what I am asking is, is there a result for anemia that would come up at 4 these days that is fine?

I am just so confused, I can’t think straight these days!!

And also, so sorry that happened to you! Pleased you are feeling better x

It will be your ferritin (iron stores) that is 4, as pp said if your haemaglobin was 4 they'd be sending you to A&E! I had a ferritin of 8 and wasn't technically 'anaemic' because my Hb was normal. Was very tired though but improved with iron supplements. Try not to worry OP, if anything was really concerning they'd be rushing to see you sooner/getting straight up to the hospital!

An Hb of 40 would indeed be properly anaemic. 4 g/dL (‘old’ units) is the same as 40 g/L (‘new’ units) - both suggest anaemia.

you can have a ferritin of 4 (suggesting iron deficiency) but not be anaemic at all.

this is why it’s important to know what the result actually is (is it haemoglobin or ferritin?… it’s probably ferritin in the Op’s case because g/dL is not widely used for Hb in the uk any more), and what the units are rather than just the number.

OP - you need advice from your GP not here!

@Lily124 thank you, so must be iron then.

I will ask if I can increase my dose and see if that helps

@Greybeardy thank you.

The receptionist would not tell me, said I need to speak to the doctor.

I am not sure what to think, I have been feeling so unwell. I will ring tomorrow for a same day appointment

I spoke to the nurse practitioner.

She said my iron and folate are fine, my hemoglobin is low at 115. My red blood cells are too big also.

Going back tomorrow for more tests and seeing doctor on Monday. She is going to speak to the doctor in the meantime.