Need help interpreting test results

Iron less than 5
HBB 9.7
HCT 31.8
MCV 65
MCH 19.7
MCHC 30.5

RETIC # 0.036
IMMATURE RETIC FRACTION 22.5
FARRITIN 2

I need some help interpreting these results. This was taken on 3/25/04 and the hematologist wasn’t all that helpful in explaining anything to me, just told me “your anemic”
I’m changing hematologists but it’s going to take me a few wks to get in w/ a new one.
If anyone can help me understand these results I would really appreciate it.
Thank you so much.

I'm sure you already know that anemia is a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues. Consequently, this can make you feel tired all of the time. The abbreviations you listed are part of your blood and the numbers will vary from lab to lab. Unfortunately, I can not tell you if they are low or normal. HOwever, I can tell that your HCT or hematocrit is low. HCT is basically the amount of red blood cells packed in the plasma.
When you go back to the doc or hematologist ask him or her what is the cause of your anemia. Treatments range from taking supplements to possible surgerty. My mother is anemic and has been for quite some time and she has lived a normal life. Good luck.

Iron less than 5 (Normal 9-30)-->LOW
HBB (Blood Hemoglobin)9.7 (Normal 12.0 to 16.0)-->LOW
HCT (Hematocrit) 31.8 (Normal 36-46)-->LOW
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)65 (Normal 80-100)-->LOW
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)19.7 (Normal 25.4-34.6)-->LOW
MCHC (Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) 30.5 (Normal 31-36)-->LOW

RETIC # 0.036 (Normal 0.005-0.015)-->HIGH
IMMATURE RETIC FRACTION 22.5
FARRITIN 2 (normal 12-150)-->LOW

If I was to guess, I would say you have some sort of hemolytic anemia, based on your high reticulocyte count. Reticulocytes are precursors of red blood cells. If the RBCs are being destroyed (hemolytic anemia), your body will try to make new RBC's, resulting in high reticulocyte #. As the previous poster noted, you also have low hematocrit, hemoglobin and Red blood cell indices, which indicate anemia.

In a nutshell, red cells contain hemoglobin, which is made up of iron. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. A deficit in iron, hemoglobin, red blood cells, or a combination of the three leads to less oxygen getting to body tissues (anemia).