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Pernicious Anemia, constant high RDW lab results
I've seen a lot of posts recently mentioning "pernicious anemia" and one mentioned high RDW as a possible sign, as well as B12 deficiency. My RDW is always high, but the doctors always just said that it is because I'm anemic, however according to my most recent endo I'm not anemic and my ferritin is "normal". I don't get it...
*WBC 4.2 (4-10.5)
*Hemoglobin: 12.1 (11.7-15.5)
*Hematocrit 36.8 (35-45)
*MCV 80 (80-100)
**MCH 26.3 (27-33)
*MCHC 32.8 (32-36)
**RDW 17.6 (11-15)
Platelet count 224 (140-400)
MPV 9.1 (7.5-11.5)
*AST 13 (10-30)
*ALT 10 (6-40)
**Albumin 5.5 (3.6-5.1)
Globulin 2.5 (2.2-3.9)
**A/G ratio 2.3 (1-2.1)
*bilirubin 1.1 (.2-1.2)
**Calcium 10.4 (8.6-10.2)
*Ferritin 10 (10-154)
B12 511 (200-1100)
Selenium 155 (63-160)
*Vitamin D 39 (30-100)
DHEA 134 (40-325)
I have been diagnosed with both Hashimoto's (TPO >1000, Tg AB 1843 (<20)) and possible Grave's (TSI 59%). Anyone have any input on these values and pernicious anemia? I would really appreciate any input, thanks!
*WBC 4.2 (4-10.5)
*Hemoglobin: 12.1 (11.7-15.5)
*Hematocrit 36.8 (35-45)
*MCV 80 (80-100)
**MCH 26.3 (27-33)
*MCHC 32.8 (32-36)
**RDW 17.6 (11-15)
Platelet count 224 (140-400)
MPV 9.1 (7.5-11.5)
*AST 13 (10-30)
*ALT 10 (6-40)
**Albumin 5.5 (3.6-5.1)
Globulin 2.5 (2.2-3.9)
**A/G ratio 2.3 (1-2.1)
*bilirubin 1.1 (.2-1.2)
**Calcium 10.4 (8.6-10.2)
*Ferritin 10 (10-154)
B12 511 (200-1100)
Selenium 155 (63-160)
*Vitamin D 39 (30-100)
DHEA 134 (40-325)
I have been diagnosed with both Hashimoto's (TPO >1000, Tg AB 1843 (<20)) and possible Grave's (TSI 59%). Anyone have any input on these values and pernicious anemia? I would really appreciate any input, thanks!
I email my doctor with my concerns and she told me to get Vitamin D3 5000iu daily and on my next appointment she will give me the B12 deficiency blood test
COMMUNITY LEADER
It usually only takes a couple of days for the results to get back to your doctor; next time, you have an appointment, you might ask for a lab order so you can get your labs a few days ahead of the appointment and not have to wait a whole month.
I do understand how initial appointments go, though. :-)
I do understand how initial appointments go, though. :-)
well on my initial visit that when she took the blood she schedule the appoint before the result came in i am thinking to ask for and earlier appointment
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your RDW is indicative of vitamin B12 deficiency. Ask to have that tested.
You've had your blood work, already and don't see your doctor for another month? Most doctors only want blood work done a week before the appointment; that gives them time to get the results back and they can get you started on treatment, if needed, asap...
At any rate, since you have a whole month before you see the doctor, maybe you can call and ask for a B12 test, so the results will be in prior to your appointment.
You've had your blood work, already and don't see your doctor for another month? Most doctors only want blood work done a week before the appointment; that gives them time to get the results back and they can get you started on treatment, if needed, asap...
At any rate, since you have a whole month before you see the doctor, maybe you can call and ask for a B12 test, so the results will be in prior to your appointment.
MCV 78.0 80.0-100.0 fL Low Final QHO
MCH 25.1 27.0-33.0 pg Low Final QHO
MCHC 32.2 32.0-36.0 g/dL Normal Final QHO
RDW 20.1 11.0-15.0 % high
Not yet my appoinment is April 16
MCH 25.1 27.0-33.0 pg Low Final QHO
MCHC 32.2 32.0-36.0 g/dL Normal Final QHO
RDW 20.1 11.0-15.0 % high
Not yet my appoinment is April 16
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - did your doctor give you a script for vitamin D or tell you how much to supplement? Low vitamin D can cause quite a few hypo-like symptoms.
What are the ranges for the results you posted originally?
What are the ranges for the results you posted originally?
VITAMIN D, 25 OH, TOTAL 11 30-100 ng/mL Low Final QTE
VITAMIN D, 25 OH, D3 11 ng/mL Final QTE
VITAMIN D, 25 OH, D2 <4
VITAMIN D, 25 OH, D3 11 ng/mL Final QTE
VITAMIN D, 25 OH, D2 <4
COMMUNITY LEADER
We need the reference ranges for the labs you posted. Ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report. I can see that your RDW is most likely elevated; that, typically, goes along with B12 deficiency, which can be caused by lack of vitamin B12 in the diet (many vegans are deficient in B12) or it could mean Pernicious Anemia. Have you had a vitamin B12 test done?
What was the exact result of the TSH w/ Reflex T4 Free? Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?
What was the exact result of the TSH w/ Reflex T4 Free? Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?
Hi leilaljax
I had someblood test done and my MCV is 78.4 , MCH 25.1 , RDW 20.1 can you tell me what this mean thankz
I had someblood test done and my MCV is 78.4 , MCH 25.1 , RDW 20.1 can you tell me what this mean thankz
I had an appt with my GI yesterday to follow up on my "swallow study" and endoscopy/colonoscopy. While there, I had 3 things written on a piece of paper: hydrochlorhydria, antiparetal cells antibody test, and pernicious anemia. All which I have symptoms for and go along with Hashi. He kind of scoffed at me when I pulled the names out and said "you don't have that. You complain of constipation, those cause diarrhea. Take some miralax and I'll see you in a couple of months." I kind of felt blindsided as he walked out of the room. I flipped through my pages and read symptom after symptom on each... "constipation". I was right. Just another doctor blowing me off, yet again.
If I go to my PCP and ask for specific blood tests he will run them for me. What do you recommend I have run?
If I go to my PCP and ask for specific blood tests he will run them for me. What do you recommend I have run?
My MCV was 83 fL (80 - 98) when my autoimmune pernicious anaemia was confirmed. My pathology notes on B12 serum: "The vitamin B12 assay result is in the megaloblastic zone and we recommend that intrinsic factor and gastric parietal cell antibodies assays be performed."
The are two reasons i can find that masks megaloblastic anaemia (megaloblastic anaemia without macrocytosis [enlarged red blood cells]). The first reason is a co-existing condition that causes microcytosis (small red blood cells); the most common cause of microcytosis is iron deficiency. The second reason is high levels of folate can mask megaloblastic anaemia.
In general, an elevated RDW has been associated with anaemia from B12, folate or iron and can show up before the anaemia appears. My lab doesn't even test RDW. Pfft! :)
The are two reasons i can find that masks megaloblastic anaemia (megaloblastic anaemia without macrocytosis [enlarged red blood cells]). The first reason is a co-existing condition that causes microcytosis (small red blood cells); the most common cause of microcytosis is iron deficiency. The second reason is high levels of folate can mask megaloblastic anaemia.
In general, an elevated RDW has been associated with anaemia from B12, folate or iron and can show up before the anaemia appears. My lab doesn't even test RDW. Pfft! :)
Very well put! I will definitely try to be more consistent with my supplements and see what happens with my levels. Also, I found a site that states that if MCV<95 you have <.1 chance of having PA and my MCV is always on the low end of the range, so I guess that makes me ok??? I'm wondering if I could request a blood smear test to figure out why that RDW is always so high. Do you think it's just another result of Hashi?
Unless you can possibly get hold of those test results prior to starting supplements, we don't even know if they've improved your levels or if they continued to decline.
If I were you, I'd try to get consistent (very) with the supplements your doctors have suggested, test again in a while to make sure the B-12 is getting into your bloodstream, then go from there. If you levels aren't changing, you're not going to feel different.
If I were you, I'd try to get consistent (very) with the supplements your doctors have suggested, test again in a while to make sure the B-12 is getting into your bloodstream, then go from there. If you levels aren't changing, you're not going to feel different.
Unfortunately, I do not have the actual results, I was just told by my ob/gyn that I was anemic and was told to start taking Vitron C. Since then, I was diagnosed with Hashi and was told by my chiro that B12 should help resolve some of my symptoms (which it hasn't, AT ALL).
Well, if you've been supplementing, although inconsistently, and your ferritin is still that low, then I'd say there's definitely a problem. You should probably see you PCP and see what s/he thinks you shoud supplement.
Of course, with any meds/supplements, consistency is important. Do you have results of ferritin and B-12 before you started supplementing?
Of course, with any meds/supplements, consistency is important. Do you have results of ferritin and B-12 before you started supplementing?
Thanks for your response! I do take Vitron C (iron and vit C supplements) and it helps a little with the fatigue. I also take "B-12 1000mcg with folic acid". I cannot, however, remember if I was taking these supplements before/during blood testing as I tend to take them randomly (a couple of days here, a few days there... not very consistently).
As you said, your ferritin is "normal", and that "normal" in quotes usually means? ABnormal! LOL Way, way, way too low.
B-12 isn't stellar, but I'd expect it to be much worse if you had PA. You can be tested for PA, or you could try supplementing orally. If oral B-12 raises your levels, you don't have PA.
Has your doctor suggested supplementing both iron and B-12?
B-12 isn't stellar, but I'd expect it to be much worse if you had PA. You can be tested for PA, or you could try supplementing orally. If oral B-12 raises your levels, you don't have PA.
Has your doctor suggested supplementing both iron and B-12?
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