Adult DS's blood test results

[Cattyisbatty]

DS had a blood test at uni last term - was a general health one as part of a mental health service he is under.
He was called today (at home, by his uni surgery) - they told him he had low red blood cell count (not sure how low) and low ferritin (I had the latter this year but it came up with eating more iron in combo with vitamin c rich food), plus borderline diabetic (although they said the machine for this wasn't functioning well so the GP is retesting).
GP mentioned it could be bowel issues - he is going to test for coeliac too in the retest (although DS was tested for this 10 years ago due to having recurring loose stool).
He has rescheduled the test for mid-Jan so about 3.5 weeks away. DS likes to minimise any health issues, apart from his mental health. At the time he was on an SSRI, but has since come off it, plus he was taking doxycycline for his acne which he has also stopped now. I wonder if they could have done some damage to his digestive system.
We could probably get him private bloods next week, not sure how much I trust NHS if their machinery wasn't working and he's never had any other issue with his blood apart from low Vit D and folic acid last year I think. He's not presenting with any diabetic symptoms but I would say possibly he is showing aneamia signs of tiredness and a bit dizzy occasionally he told me today, his sleep isn't great but it hasn't been for about 3 years now. He's slim and tall and possibly has acid reflux although this hasn't been 100% diagnoised yet.
WWYD if this was your DS who is obviously an adult and a very anxious one at that!

What is his diet like at uni?

It's OK, he does have fish, chicken, eggs and veggies and bananas! He said he has the occasional burger but I don't think he cooks red meat. He also has crappy meal deals when at uni during the day. One of his housemates does the cooking sometimes as he's a great cook.
I am v health conscious so when he comes home he gets better food (of course!) and I will try to give him some vitamin c rich food with food containing iron.
I did google - of course! - and NHS said men are usually anameic because of a bowel issue as of course they don't get periods!

Can your DS open an online NHS account, then you should be able to see the exact blood test results and see what action they suggest, other than repeating blood tests mid Jan.

The coeliac test only works if you eat lots of gluten in the weeks running up to the test. Is your son eating lots of bread or wheat based cereals? If not he's unlikely to test positive even if quite affected. My son tested negative once despite having bleeding in his stomach and intestines, but he has since tested positive once he knew he had to eat the stuff that made him ill in order to be tested positive

His is part of hashimotos but it can be a standalone thing

The action was to repeat the bloods and get a coeliac screen as well, I suppose they will go from there. Weirdly the results aren't on his NHS App but there are some others from that blood draw (cholesterol)/weight/height./bp

I heard you have to have a certain amount and I will check that he's eating quite a lot of gluten in that case. He has cereal for breakfast and often a sandwich at lunch or pasta for dinner.
I have felt for years that he has 'something' systemic wrong with him (he's been told he's hypermobile by physio and an osteopath but not NHS) as he's had leg pain for about 8 years and he has some painful joints as well. GPs always poo-poo so we have never got anywhere. Maybe this will start some balls rolling.