Help interpreting test results -- anemia?

What lab did you use for infections? I have zero bands through labcorp (i’ve tested probably 5 times - twice I’ve had 1 band and the rest no bands). I am indeterminate through IGeneX .

Sorry, no idea about the other labs.

Dahlias said...
Just got test results back for the kid I was suspecting of having bartonella. Lyme WB, babesia, bartonella and EBV all appear to be negative. I know the tests are unreliable, but zero bands for Lyme plus negative everything else sounds pretty darn negative to me. Very relieved.

He does have a bunch of things off on the CBC:
Low hemoglobin
Low hematrocrit
Low MCV
Low MCH
High RDW
High lymphs (absolute)

Most of that sounds like anemia to me. But his iron numbers are all within range: Iron bind. cap. (TIBC), UIBC, iron, and iron saturation. Anyone know what this would indicate then?

My Dr. tests Ferritin but not iron. Not sure what the difference is? It is on the low side...just below range.

She said if my hemoglobin starts to be affected...then I need to bump up my ferritin because the hemoglobin 'pulls' from ferritin.
All my others' are in range except when on Mepron...for awhile my RDW was high...but it's normal now.
I don't know what the difference between iron and ferritin levels.

Maybe your son just needs a supplement to bring them all up? Does he eat meat? ie red meat? If not, does he eat other foods that are good iron sources? That may be all he needs?

And the lyme and co's tests...were they done via Igenex? EDIT: sorry - I see you mentioned LabCorp

Dahlias said...
He eats red meat.

I read an article saying that if the cause of anemia is NOT iron deficiency, it can be dangerous to supplement with iron.

I sent a message to his PCP -- will update when he responds.

That makes sense. If he has in-range iron...he should be making RBC..etc.

In my case - I had low ferritin..which is stored iron (according to my Dr.) - so it was safe to supplement.

Please do let us know what you find out - ie why he would have high enough iron...but his hemoglobin...etc are low.

Oh - I just thought of something....I read that Babesia "smashes" red blood cells when it dies off.
Not sure if that is true though. And hope it isn't the case with your son.

Dahlias said...
We haven't been killing anything, so that wouldn't be it for him.

(It would explain the experience of a man in my local group, though.)

Although there is dieoff ie: lifecycle
But maybe not enough to cause that...