Blood test results

[iluvsummer]

hello, is anyone able to tell me if these levels are normal please? I am worried about my folate levels and rbc. I historically have low iron and folate and have been on tablets for them off and on but that’s because I push the gp for them as I can tell when I’m not feeling right even though they always say my tests are satisfactory! I did have a chest infection when I did these tests and they did say the readings may be affected! Thanks

It tells you on the right hand side what the expected range is for each line is. Your results are all in the range except platelets which are slightly high

So that could be because I had a chest infection at the time then?

They're all fine. Ferritin could be a bit higher as it's on the lower end of the range, but still within range.

Probably not. I expect that is just a normal platelet value for you. It's only just outside of the normal range in the context of otherwise normal bloods

Are you in the UK? If so NICE guidelines which cover GP care to try and ensure consistency of care between practices apply. I saw my GP on Friday about my own haemaglobin which was higher than yours (and my ferritin is much higher) and she was helpful although did say the NHS operates to a haemaglobin threshold of 115 so didn’t prescribe me any iron.

Per this guideline your haemaglobin of 116 denotes anemia as you are under 120 as per the World Health Organisation levels and A serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms iron deficiency.

If you feel unwell then you should go back to the GP to tell him your symptoms and discuss your ferritin level as this guideline says ‘In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms a diagnosis of iron deficiency.’ Your doctor should be trading a ferritin of 26 if you have symptoms. There is also a difference between levels that are in range and optimal levels. Ideally your ferritin should be up around 100 not just scraping into the lower end of the range. If your GP won’t prescribe you iron tablets (although he should in my opinion) you can buy 200mg tablets over the counter or online.

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-iron-deficiency/diagnosis/investigations/

There is a separate guideline for B12 and Folate deficiency anemia. That says that Serum folate of less than 7 nanomol/L (3 micrograms/L) is used as a guide to indicate folate deficiency. however, there is an indeterminate zone with folate levels of 7–10 nanomol/L (3–4.5 micrograms/L), so low folate should be interpreted as suggestive of deficiency and not diagnostic.

Your level of 5.7 micrograms seems ok. Did the dr test your B12? Do you take a multivitamin that has it in? Ideally they would have tested B12 but given your ferritin is only 26 you need to supplement that with iron and if your haemaglobin then goes up that would suggest your B12 levels are ok.