Blood test results are all over the place ?

[jjourneys]

I’ve been anemic for a few years with unknown origin causing it.

This is still the case but now my platelets and RBC have gone really high? Plus have lost 10kg without trying or changing anything.

Have got a follow up GP appt but it’s weeks away, so I’m going to push for a quicker one I think …

Also, has anyone experienced this?

Any other symptoms? 10kg is a massive unexplained weight loss. How long has this been going on for?

I last had bloods and weight checked exactly 1 year ago … have gone from 65kg to 55kg!! I was shocked too?!!

Can you post your blood results on here?

Hang on I’ll try

Total white blood count 4.9 109/L [4.0 - 10.0]
Red blood cell count 5.46 1012/L [3.8 - 4.8]; Above high reference limit
Haemoglobin concentration 108 g/L [120.0 - 150.0]; Below low reference limit
Haematocrit 0.338 [0.36 - 0.46]; Below low reference limit
Mean cell volume 62 fL [83.0 - 101.0]; Below low reference limit
Mean cell haemoglobin level 19.8 pg [27.0 - 32.0]; Below low reference limit
Platelet count - observation 507 109/L [150.0 - 410.0]; Above high reference limit
Neutrophil count 2.56 109/L [2.0 - 7.0]
Lymphocyte count 1.72 109/L [1.0 - 3.0]
Monocyte count - observation 0.43 109/L [0.2 - 1.0]
Eosinophil count - observation 0.09 109/L [0.02 - 0.5]
Basophil count 0.10 109/L [0.0 - 0.1]

Serum ferritin level 5 ug/L [23.0 - 300.0]; Ferritin < 15 ug/L

Serum TSH level 0.46 mu/L [0.35 - 4.94]
Serum free T4 level 11.4 pmol/L [9.0 - 19.1]

Urea and electrolytes
Serum sodium level 140 mmol/L [133.0 - 146.0]
Serum potassium level 5.4 mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3]; Above high reference limit
Serum urea level 2.9 mmol/L [2.5 - 7.8]
Serum creatinine level 49 umol/L [45.0 - 84.0]; High, ?AKI ?CKD Suggest repeat
eGFR using creatinine (CKD-EPI) per 1.73 square metres > 90 mL/min/1.73m^2

Liver Function Tests Bilirubin result measured using Abbott Alinity method.
Serum bilirubin level 9 umol/L [< 21.0]
Serum total protein level 68 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]
Serum albumin level 39 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]
Serum globulin level 29 g/L [21.0 - 35.0]
Serum alkaline phosphatase level 64 u/L [30.0 - 130.0]
Serum alanine aminotransferase level 8 u/L [< 34.0]

Did you not notice the weight loss?

I would ring GP on Monday and ask for an urgent appointment.

I honestly didn’t … I only mentioned to nurse to check my weight as DP had mentioned something in passing about it the day before and I don’t own scales at home, so thought ‘oh I’ll jump on the docs scales tomorrow’ but no way did I think it would be 10kg difference from last year!

GP appointment is 11/2 but will call Monday morning and try and get it moved to something earlier

Platelets and rbc can be a response to Ida particularly with low mcv. You need to have it investigated though - what are they doing to sort the Ida, I'd ask for an infusion if tablets have not raised it. Have you had a fit test done? Or an endoscopy to check for gastritis etc?

I have had an iron infusion once a year on average for the last 4/5 years in A&E … 3/4 years ago had colonoscopy / gastroscopy / CT / gynaecology US to try and find root of anemia, but couldn’t.

But now potassium, RBC and platelets have gone high …

Had a recent (last six months) FIT test that was okay

You're anaemic, your iron stores are deficient and your thyroid results suggest you may have secondary hypothyroidism.

I wouldn't wait until February for a GP appointment. I suspect you may have got used to it, but you don't actually feel very well at all.

Thanks Northerndancer for taking the time to reply. So what you’re saying is the anemia is now impacting on my wider organ / body function negatively, hence the higher platelet / potassium / RBC count.

The thing is, I always kind of put the anemia down to my periods (after docs ruled out any colon, gastro or nefarious reasons for it in 2022/23), however, I presumed when my periods stopped with my oncoming menopause, then my ferritin (iron) stores level would come back to normal, however, that’s not happened! I maybe have had 2 x 3 day light periods all year due to oncoming menopause (I’m 50 this year).

So the anemia must be caused by something else (in my own body) so definitely need to keep on with the Ferinject iron infusions periodically. Maybe try making it a scheduled thing? As you say ND, really need to chat to GP next week, not in February!

Thank you anybody who has read so far or offered advice or comments … it’s really helpful for me to get these thoughts down in writing, symptoms … everything.

Just something else to add - I had a hiatus hernia repair and small gastro op about 9 years ago and have had no negative symptoms from that, but potentially could now have some sort of malabsorption or nutrients issue going on which might be the root cause of the low iron. When my stomach is digesting it makes very loud noises that can be heard on the other side of a room.

And also have lost 10kg in the last year that I wasn’t aware of and don’t know how has happened. I’m not a big eater, but I don’t have an eating disorder :/.

Your thyroid (Serum TSH) is only just in normal range, closer to the Hyperthyroid edge of 0.4...keep an eye on that as when I lost 2 stone in a month it was that and no one had thought to check.

Your weight loss combined with those bloods is a red flag. I would be on to the GP first thing on Monday. When you see them I would ask about polycythemia vera (which can be well treated if it is).

Are you taking any meds and have they tested b12/folate and vit d?

I wasn't too concerned with the anemia but losing weight unexpectedly is a sign for concern.

Do you have any other noticeable symptoms? I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when I experienced weight loss without any explanation, but I had many other obvious symptoms that something was not right. Are you experiencing anything like that?

Also, this is wild but it works- wear something made out of iron, like a bracelet, to solve your anemia trouble. I don't know why it works but it does. I used to be anemic as well, and no matter what I did or ate, the annemia was not going away. For my entire teenage life, into my 20s and early 30s, I was anemic. Until I was told to wear iron so I found a simple bangle and I have worn it for 3 years, and not once has my blood work come back anemic. My diet is horrible and I definitely do not consume iron rich food or take any supplements. So try that out if anemia is giving you issues!

I hope all the best for you!

I'd want them to look into thyroid function.

My TSH and T4 thyroid bloods for the last 5 years have always been literally on the lowest point of the guidance range (tested 3 times over 5 year period).

B12 generally has been ok, and Vit B6 level as well, but I did have course of weekly B12 injections a year ago, including loading doses where they inject twice a week. I also have periodic Ferinject iron infusions (average one or two a year) at A&E as I get bad gastro side effects with iron tablets which then defeat the purpose.

For the last 5 years my Serum Ferritin has only gone above 8/9 directly after being tested after an iron infusion. All other times it’s registered at 4-8, with hemoglobin between 75-100.

Update - physically popped in GP Surgery today, rather than be number 26 holding in a queue on the phone lol.

Managed to get my appointment moved to this Wednesday at 9.30 in someone’s recent cancellation slot (rather than 11th February!). So that’s a win, eh?

Will update Wednesday with what they say, in case anyone is interested.

Glad they have brought it forward. Good luck!

So would I. Low TSH but also low in range FT4 suggests a need for an FT3 test as well.

Advice on the Thyroid UK forum on www.healthunlocked.com

Thyroid T4 and TSH have both always been dead on the lowest parameter or beneath it, with no T3 test for 4 years.