Hi everyone, new to the board. Sorry for such a long post.
I already know I should probably go to the doc, but would prefer not to
:). I haven't gone through my doc for the last two blood tests (each done with sufficient time between), as I hate going to the doctor unless I absolutely have to.
Not sure how "bad" these CBC's are, altho they have been getting slightly worse over the past year. I don't want to just be told I need to go on iron supplements, unless these values suggest otherwise. Is anemia correctable w/o supplements? Ihave other symptoms of anemia as well... heart palps (started feeling these a month or two ago), mild tiredness, dizziness, etc. I don't seem to be extremely affected by the tiredness, because overall I'm very athletic, altho I know I don't feel as good as I should. I'm a cyclist and runner. The heart palps are more worrisome tho. (skipped beats more than tachycardia).

I don't seem to have outside of range iron or RBC counts, but most of the others indicate a problem. I suspect I should get this addressed as quickly as possible if it's considered to be fairly serious levels of deficiencies. I've bumped up iron containing foods, but it hasn't seemed to help.
Thanks for any tips!

iron: 57 (range 35-175)
ferritin: 6 (low)
TIBC: 456 (pretty high)
RBC: 4.23 (range 3.8-5.1)
hemoglobin: 10.1 (low)
hematocrit: 33.7 (low, but was fine in previous test, so it's dropped)
MCV: 80 (recently dropped to low end of range of 80-100)
MCHC: 30 (low)
RDW: 19.6 (high)

The report also indicated Mild Anisocytosis, moderate ovalocytes, mild polychromasia,
moderate hypochromia.

I'm certainly no doctor but in remission from one of the 88 different types of anemia a person can get (and it has nothing to do with low iron). I've been told by my docs that hemoglobin under 10 definately warrants further investigation. Many doctors start looking at a HgB of 11. Given that your hematocrit has also fallen I would at least see your family doc and let him/her decide if you need to see a specialist. Why worry yourself when you can get this cleared up by a professional.
I wish you well and hope you're feeling stronger soon.

Les

Hi Les, and thanks for the reply. Beings that my HgB dropped from 10.9 to 10.1, my MCV from 85.1 to 80 and my ferritin dropped from 13 to 6, etc. etc. in a matter of 120+ days, I believe you are right.... altho I already knew the answer :). I suspect my doc just might want to wait another 120 days and test again? It wouldn't make sense to test again before that really.

Your ordeal sounds quite awful. Have you made any progress on your anemia? (I should read your posts)

My HgB dropped to under 6 so was treated pretty aggressively. In remission now, so pray it never returns!
A number of anemia disorders are actually discussed in the blood disorders thread. I suspect your doc will refer you pretty quick to a hematologist who will run a more detailed analysis of your blood. I wouldn't worry about this though. You need to let the docs make sure you don't have an underlying cause (in my case the anemia is the disorder. They call it idiopathic LOL). You're either treated for the anemia or the underlying cause. Sounds like you avoid docs like the plague but really better to be safe than sorry. So make the appt.

Les

Hi Les,
Honestly I respect doctors and am pretty good at keeping on top of my health. I'm also working on my Master's Degree in Nursing through a Master's Entry Program....so I'm not as bad as I sound :)
I've just spent too much time with docs over the past three years because of another illness. Even more reason to follow up on the blood counts.
Idiopathic... LOL. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers for you never returning to that place.
Thank you so much for your replies.