I have just been diagnosed with anemia but as yet do not know why. My hematagrit was 29.1,iron,folic acid and B12 were all normal. My doctor has ordered a bone marrow test for me. My question is there anyone on this board who has this test and did not have some form of cancer,causing anemia.I'm praying there are other reasons than cancer that would show up in this test.When I ask the doctor he says lets wait and see. My test isn't until 1/19/05 by that time I'll be a basket case.

Yes, I had one done with my first bout of anemia. It was done to rule out cancer. Just hearing the words is scary and calling for the results of that test was the hardest call I ever made. It was fine - no cancer.

Since cancer is something they must get started on right away - this test is done first. I also had an enlarged spleen and had CT scans done of my spleen periodically. They were looking to rule out leukemia or lymphoma. Once that was done, they went to the less serious things. With mine-they don't know what caused it.

I know you can't help but be scared, I was too. Try to just hang in there.

Thank you so much for your speedy reply, you have taken a great weight off my shoulders.

How did your bone marrow biopsy go hon?

What was your "normal" B12 reading? Serum B12 is very unreliable. Some people can even have upper normal readings and still not transport the B12 out of the blood to the cells where it does its work. Also, low for the US is WAY lower than in some other countries, which recognize anything lower than 550 as deficient! There are better B12 tests, like methylmalonic acid. Many doctors are 30 years behind the times in regards to B12. Ask for your test results, and if your B12 is below 550, ask for further testing on it........and if they won't do it (especially if they can't find any other cause for your anemia), get some sublingual B12, at least 1000 mcg and take daily. Shots are NOT the only way of raising B12 levels! The two types of B12 usable by the body are methylcobalamin (used by the brain and nerves) and adenosylcobalamin (aka Dibencozide) which works at the cellular level (energy). Cyanocobalamin is the most common supplemental B12, but it has to first be converted into the 2 usable types before the body can use it. A few people have trouble making the conversion, but most are helped by the cyano-B12 if they can't find the other 2.

My B12 deficiency was missed over 5 years ago. My fatigue proceeded to sheer exhaustion and labored breathing. Several months on good B12 supplements have turned it around.

Good luck to you!

Tab