Blood Test Results - need help. - Anemia Message Board

laura3377 · 11-16-2004, 08:15 AM

WBC: 3.2 L (Range 3.8-10.8)
RBC: 3.69 L (Range 3.8-5.1)
Hemoglobin: 11.9 (Range 11.7-15.5)
Hematocrit: 36.8 (35-45)
MCV: 99.7 (Range 80-100)
MCH: 32.3 (Range 27-33)
MCHC: 32.4 (Range 32-36)
RDW: 12.7 (Range 11-15)

My WBC is low but percentages of individual components are normal. Last blood test I can remember which was about 12-14 years ago - my WBC was low so maybe I'm just one of those people with a low count. I rarely get sick but don't feel energetic at all and tire out easily. I guess my question is could I have a B12 deficiency? I have had the following symptoms:

- Cannot gain weight - has been like this for the past 12 years but never was
like this before.
- Dizzy spells for the past year.
- Moodiness (big time!)
- No energy
- Lack of appetite (this is not constant but off and on for the past few months)
- Gastrointestinal Issues (Burp a lot for no real reason that I can figure)
- Weakness in legs (especially when I walk up stairs)
- Out of breath easily even though I work out fairly regularly and am not overweight.
- Rapid heart rate
- Sleep 8-10 hours a night and still have a hard time waking in the morning. Always feel like I haven't gotten a good nights sleep.

There are probably more but those are the most prominent issues I am having.
I am just getting really frustrated as the Dr I've been going to for the last year seems to think I am just fine and doesn't take any thing I say very serious. I have had an Ultrasound on my heart - everything looked fine. EKG was fine. Thyroid test was normal. Looking at my results is there any other tests I should ask for? I am searching for a new Dr. who may be a little more involved.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Laura

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Marimac · 11-16-2004, 08:29 AM

Although the total WBC is below range, this is normal for the aging process. Also it means that there is less likelyhood of an infection. Sometimes a lowered WBC reflects an autoimmune disorder such as early arthritis etc. Sometimes it just reflects ordinary stress such as extra responsibilities, or lack of quality sleep. The fatigue could be related to the lower RBC count, that could be just the time of day the blood was drawn and whether or not it was a fasting blood draw or one in which you were normally hydrated. All in all your counts are normal and that is ok as far as it goes.

Some people have terminal cancer and if they have not been receiving chemo and are not unduly stressed out, do not have abnormal blood counts.

Ordinarily a blood test is only good relative to what you are being treated for. If the values are way way off, there is usually a very obvious reason for it. The mysterious and obscure is usually for medical science fiction novels or for health insurance companies who do not want to pay for health claims.

NancyH · 11-16-2004, 05:11 PM

I have been dealing with chronic low wbc for over a year now after my primary sent me to a blood specialist to find out why. My WBC is never above 3, it is called Leukopenia, it usually runs 2.5 to 2.9, I have what they call Neutropenia, my neutrophils are very low as well. My immune is a mess with leukopenia and neutropenia both. I have to be careful around people who have colds etc but been fortunate to be fairly healthy and never get the flu or seldom a cold, I do however seem to have a chronic respiratory irritation and could turn into a infection easily, so far so good. Your WBC is low but what they like to compare it with is the neutrophils, lymphatic system to see if it just is a chronic thing or a exhausted immune system like mine. Do you have really old lab test results that showed a higher wbc sustained level as it can go up and down but staying down too low can be dangerous. The blood dr followed mine for a year before diagnosis.