Blood Tests. PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE!

[Mary]

Ok last Sunday I went to the ER because I was having blurred vision and a headache. They ran blood tests and they came out perfect. No Anemia. I never had anemia until I had an ablation done. Anyways 4 days later I went in for typical blood work that my Dr prescribed and it showed a RBC of 3.96 (4.00) normal, HGB of 11.8 (12.0) normal and HCT of 34.2 (36.0) normal. My Dr doesnt seem concerned. But how could it go from absolutley normal to low in 4 days.

 

[beth]

Possibly because you have been bleeding? That small loss of iron would not cause blurred vision directly. Have you had CVA/stroke/seizures/migraine in the past?

 

[Mary]

No there is no bleeding anywhere. I was wondering if it was because it had only been 4 days in between blood draws.

 

[beth]

Wouldn't have thought so. No period?

 

[Mary]

No I had an ablation. Now Im getting scared.

 

[beth]

Ah, didn't realise what had been 'ablated'. Did they do any other tests? - CT or anything. Presumably the blurred vision and headaches went away okay?

 

[saidinstouch]

Just because 4.00 and 12.0 are normal for the first two does not mean you are low because you are below them. Most values have a range that is consider safe since most people won't show up perfectly normal. I don't know the ranges on those tests specifically, but overall I would say you are probably fine if the doctor says you are. Go lookup the tests on wikipedia to see if you are actually within a normal range.

 

[teeny5]

All I can say is listen to your body but try not to freak out or assume anything. I have low blood pressure but it is normal for me...for others it might be a sign of something going on. Is this a Dr. you have been seeing for a while? If you are unsure about your results I would push your Dr. to explain them better.

 

[katiesue1506]

Definitely agree with everyone else here. Those levels are still within the normal range. And, as teeny said, some people run naturally lower. You should start to be generally concerned with your hemoglobin (HGB) counts when the are in the 10 range. I always feel pretty normal around the high 10s, tired around the low 10s, exhausted in the 9s and barely living in the 8s. 8 is the transfusion range.

 

[Mary]

Katie how come you are anemic?

 

[katiesue1506]

It common in people with IBDs in general but mine is due to blood loss in the colon from ulcerations. I just keep constantly bleeding I guess. It sucks! I take Iron supplements to help it, but the best way for me to fix it is to fix the inflammation and repair the ulcers.

 

[sharon j.]

Mary, I am in agreement with everyone in that your numbers aren't anything to be concerned about. Take it from someone who had a HGB rate of 4 when 12 is normal. Headaches and blurred vision can also be from dehydration which is quite common with someone with IBD. My blood count dropped because I had an ulcer that I wasn't aware of. But my normal HGB rate is around 10, always has been. Remember that these numbers fluctuate from day to day, sometimes hour to hour. Until you see a significant drop in values I really don't think you have anything to worry about. If you trust your doctor and your doctor isn't worried then there's no need for you to worry either. If you don't trust your doctor then you need to find one you do trust. Take care, Sharon