RBC elevated and hemoglobin and hematogrit almost bordering?

[doodleb1977]

Hi there I wanted to see if these results need further investigation. The Dr's office faxed this to me today.
WBC 6.9 (normal range 3.8-10.8)
RBC 5.35 (normal range 3.80-5.10)
Hemoglobin 15.1 (normal range 11.7-15.5)
Hematocrit 14.4 (normal range 35.0-45.0)

All of my other bloodwork came back within range other than my Red Blood Count and my Glucose was 105 (normal range was up to 99)
and my HDL was 36 and i believe greater than 46 was normal range)

I am a non-smoker, do not drink, altitude is about 800-1200 above sea level, I am overweight, 181 lbs, female, my total cholestrol is only 141 my ldl is 81, I do eat healthy.

Do you think this is unusually high? thank you so kindly :)

[John Kenyon, CNA]

Hello -

The hematology part looks fine (the RBC is just a tiny bit above normal range, but not enough to really matter), except for the hematocrit, which is markedly low, suggesting anemia.

The glucose, at 105, is fine. I am troubled at the newly lowered glucose "normal" limits, which, if they get much lower, would have us all be hypoglycemic. The HDL is lower than desireable, but not out of normal range. (Desired is 40 to 50). Since your total cholesterol is so very low, and your LDL so low, you should be fine with the lower HDL, which is at least in balance with the total lipds.

Other than the rather low hematocrit I'd be very happy with the results. I hope your doctor is looking at possible causes for the anemia, and I can't help but wonder if this wasn't a typo or lab error, since it is out of line with the other parts of the CBC.

Hope this helps clarify things for you. Follow up with us as needed.

[Dr. Safaa Mahmoud]

Hello,

I agree with John, your results are reassuring apart from the hematocrit percent which as he mentioned could be an error.

I would like also to add some information about anemia.
The diagnosis of anemia is primarily made by the finding of low hemoglobin level (in grams per deciliter) and/or RBC number × 10[12] L. The hematocrit (in percent) is measured together with other parameters to classify types of anemia.

Of these parameters:
- The average blood cell volume (MCV) (82-98); values above and below this range indicate macrocytic and microcytic anemia, respectively.

- The reticulocyte count (N:40,000-100,000 /muL of blood) is very important to determine the need for bone marrow examination; normal or elevated reticulocytic counts indicate adequate bone marrow function and extrinsic cause for the anemia.

- The hematocrit is almost about three times the measured hemoglobin value.
The microcytic hypochromic anemia is usually due to deficient hemoglobin synthesis in cases of iron deficiency anemia and the anemia of chronic disease. While macrocytic anemia is commonly due to B12 and folic acid deficiency.

- A peripheral blood smear should be also examined.

Hope you find this information useful.
I would advise you to follow up with your doctor.

Please keep us updated.
Best regards.

[John Kenyon, CNA]

Thanks, Dr. Mahmoud -

It's always nice when an MD can follow up with more in-depth information. Much appreciated.

John