Red blood count teeny bit low?

[tobee]

If your red blood cell count was just below the normal threshold would you bother to take some iron supplements? Or not do anything and think it was an inconsequential blip? Or something else?

I wouldn't bother, try to improve your diet. Iron supplements can cause constipation.

What did the GP say?

If I was still having regular periods I'd take a multivitamin with iron.

Some people (like myself) always have a low blood count. I’ve taken double the recommended daily iron supplement for a year, eat an iron rich diet, lead a healthy life etc ………. And had a blood test every 3 months for a year. My red blood cell count is still low!

The only thing iron supplements do for me is cause constipation and haemorrhoids! I’ve tried every iron supplement there is and the one that causes the least side effects is Spatone iron water sachets.

What are your readings and which was low? Hb, ferritin or iron saturation? Readings can refer to your overall reading, but also stores of iron- so different things.

Thanks for the replies.

No periods as had hysterectomy nearly 10 years ago because of fibroid causing extremely low ferritin that was quite debilitating.

No GP comment as just looked online and it was all no further action. This is part of my usual annual routine tests because of poor thyroid function.

It says

Red blood cell count
3.80
3.90 - 5.8 range

Haematocrit
0.355
0.37 - 0.47 range

I don't think I would take an iron supplement with those scores. Excessive iron is not good for the body.

Just checked again and haemoglobin was
116

115 - 165 range

Thank you just didn't want to be neglectful. Would rather not take any but don't want to be feeling a bit under par for no reason. 😊

You can't really tell anything about your iron stores from the results you've posted. Interpreting the results properly also needs the rest of the FBC, the trends over time and what symptoms you're getting so your GP or whoever order the test is probably the best person to get advice from.

What is your ferritin and other results? Did you have a full screen for anaemia or just the Hb? Did the GP suggest a supplement? I'd certainly be taking one even at that reading.