Blood Test Result, advice please!

where is the rest of the results?

cortisol?

androgens?

prolactin?

tsh/lt-4/lt-3?

Querfeldein wrote:

I just received results of a blood test, which indicates low red blood cell count, and HGB / HCT at the low end of the normal range. My doctor says it's "nothing to worry about", but then, he isn't a runner.

Could you please advise me if there's anything I should do to increase red blood cells according to these results? Would more iron / B12 / folate help? "Normal" range and units for each value in brackets.

Red Blood Cell Count: 4.46 (4.5 - 5.3 x 10^12 / l)

Total White Cell Count: 5.4 (4 - 11 x 10^9 / l)

Platelet Count: 180 (150 - 450 x 10^12 / l)

Haemoglobin: 13.8 (13 - 18 g / dl)

Haematocrit: 41.4% (39 - 50%)

MCV 89.9 (82 - 98 fl)

MCH: 31.0 pg

MCHC: 33.3 g / dl

RBC dist. width: 12.9

Serum ferritin: 43.0 (30 - 400 ug / dl)

Serum vitamin B12: 325 (190 - 900 ng / l)

Serum folate: 12.9 ( > 4 ng / ml)

I'm male, 27, running ~ 50 mpw.

Your doctor is completely right.

Your lab results are normal. There is nothing wrong with any of your levels.

The only thing you'll be doing by taking any supplements is draining your wallet. Any other benefit you get will be derived from the placebo effect.

My doctor says "nothing to worry about", but then, he isn't a runner?

How about, there is nothing to worry about, you are not a doctor.

Adam Antananarivo wrote:

My doctor says "nothing to worry about", but then, he isn't a runner?

How about, there is nothing to worry about, you are not a doctor.

As a matter of fact, I am a doctor, though not an MD. So that's why I am asking. And of course, I trust my doctor when he says I have nothing to worry about - I'm certainly not "worried". If the correlation of low RBC and relatively low ferritin suggested I could rise the RBC into the normal range by taking iron supplements, I would probably try that. But thanks for your input!

Listen to your doctor. Please don't waste your money on supplements.

Your marginally "abnormal" RBC count is not limiting your 5k time, and your entirely normal iron indices are not somehow limiting your RBC count, in any case.

If you're that worried, re-test in 3 months.

Usually your hematocrit will need to be below 30 before a doctor will aggressively intervene if you're still able to run. And even then, they'll probably want to make sure you don't have a GI bleed.

The normal range just represents the middle of the bell curve. "Pathologic" readings are hematocrit 30 and below (contra-indication for elective surgery).

Check your hormone levels if you feel a lack of energy. Low thyroid? Low testosterone?

Taking supplements is a good way to have expensive feces. Eat a balanced diet, mostly plants, and you should be fine. Taking iron daily for a long time can lead to iron overload, especially for those with a surprisingly common mutation.

MN MD