Understanding my blood work (help)

[Kathy Coop 193]

For the first year after surgery and my surgeon would tell me that my deficiencies Would fix themselves within 18 months of having the surgery . I Started seeing a blood specialist and he laughed. He said my numbers needed serious intervention. I get weekly Iron and they keep printing out my labs but NO ONE EXPLAINS THEM TO ME! Like they can't be bothered. Drives me mad! Any medical field people in the house? Here is my latest .

[retzlpa 98]

Not a Dr. but I can see from blood work you are probably anemic and possibly dehydrated. I suggest you find a better Dr.

[Kathy Coop 193]

They run my blood quarterly. I know I am anemic but all the other stuff may as well be written in Chinese lol

[terrydumont46 1,954]

also not a doctor but it appears that you should be getting a blood transfusion. if you have a primary care doctor make a appointment and have them explain your blood tests to you.

[Kathy Coop 193]

I had 4 this year

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am not a doctor either but when you look at the printout, there are several columns.

The column on the left is Test Name. For example if you search using google on the words "Hgb" and "bloodwork", it will give links to a number of websites that describe this test and what it means. For example https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hemoglobin/tab/test/

The column on the right is called Reference Range, this gives the values that you should have.

The next column is the one in the middle, which is called Out of Range. If you are outside the range of normal, then your readings will appear here. It will have a (L) if you are on the low side and an (H) if you are on the high side. The numbers are good to look at and compare with the reference range because it can tell you how far you are away from normal. On your particular lab results, if you are extremely on the low side, they used (L!)

After RNY gastric bypass surgery, your body can no longer synthesize the Vitamins you need from processing foods, that part of your stomach has been cut away. Therefore it is mandatory that you take Vitamins for the rest of your life. You are very low on Hgb which means you need to supplement your Iron intake. In my case I am low in Iron and I take a 65 mg Ferrous Sulfate supplement each day. Since iron and Calcium supplements don't mix, it is important to take these at least 2 hours apart. In my case I take my iron supplements just before bedtime. I take my Calcium supplements throughout the day and also drink milk which contain calcium, so nighttime was the best time for me to take my iron.

[TristanNicole 169]

Hi there, I'm an RN, I work in a Kidney Specialty office and we do treat people with anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Your HGB is very low, even for my standards if we had someone with a HGB that low they would be going for a blood transfusion. It sounds like you are currently seeing a hematologist and getting Iron infusions. I would be curious to know what your Iron, iron binding and ferritin look like and if iron infusions are even necessary and you don't need a different kind of treatment. This lab work only shows your CBC.

Also, next time you get your lab work, I would ask for a nurse or a medical assistant to go over it with you. That should never be an issue!

Edited December 31, 2015 by TristanNicole

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

...Also, next time you get your lab work, I would ask for a nurse or a medical assistant to go over it with you. That should never be an issue!

One thing I truly don't understand is how many people come here to get something answered that they should really be asking their medical providers.

I would always suggest anyone to keep asking questions of your doctor until you 1) understand, and more importantly, 2) are very clear about what you are supposed to do.

I know many people are intimidated by medical folks, especially after the way many of us have been treated due to our obesity, but there is really no excuse for a doctor not to take time to make things clear.

[TinyTink 268]

Another RN here. Obviously you are anemic by your hemoglobin and hematocrit. The other values listed that are "off" are part of the differential and show the amount of different white blood cells.

Glad you're being seen be hematology. I would like to see additional labwork performed for you as well. Anemia can certainly be caused by nutritional deficiencies, but can also be the result of chronic kidney disease, heavy periods, slow or fast GI bleeds, and even as a side effect of medications. Only you and your doctor can figure it out.

[Kathy Coop 193]

The only thing they have told me is I have a very low absorption rate. Something like 7% the issue is my blood Doctor deals mostly with cancer and he blames all my issues on the WLS. Meanwhile my WLS Doctor keeps insisting after an amount of time my body will fix itself somehow. He said around 18 months to 2 years but it has been 3 I do t think the 2 communicate at all with each other. They just send labs back and forth.

[jj7481 363]

I'm a Physician Assistant. Let me try to clarify some information you see:

HGB = Hemoglobin. This is the Protein on red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissue, and CO2 back from tissue to lungs.

HCT = Hematocrit. This is the % of red blood cells in your blood (the rest being composed of white blood cells and plasma).

Low levels of HGB is anemia. From there we look at MCV on your labs which stands for Mean Corpusular Volume (the average volume of red blood cells). If a level is < 80, as in your case, it means you have what's termed microcytic anemia. Primary culprit = Iron Deficiency.

Biggest bit of advice I can give you is to be your own advocate. If you doctors aren't talking.....demand they do. You have the right to request your various doctors be on the same page for congruency of care. Regardless, keep in touch with them and if you aren't satisfied.....make that known.

Edited January 2, 2016 by jj7481

[Kathy Coop 193]

I know I would love to have my energy back but 3 years out with 2 kids in 2 years plus my older kids it seems like an uphill battle!!

[jj7481 363]

I know I would love to have my energy back but 3 years out with 2 kids in 2 years plus my older kids it seems like an uphill battle!!

Yeah, and a common symptom of anemia is fatigue. (less oxygen getting to the tissue and brain) Stay on your hematologist to definitively isolate the culprit of your malabsorption. Also, keep in touch with your PCP so he at least stays in the loop.

Like stated before....if you don't understand it have them explain in layman's terms. Don't just leave the office without understanding the what/where/why of tests and treatments. Matter of fact, many hospitals are now making a point of not ending their visit until you state you understand what's going on.