stewie
New Member
- Feb 16, 2011
- 6
- 9
Been lurking here since 2011, figured I'd drop a line or two in an arena I'm somewhat familiar with
BLTC, how many times have you donated blood over the last 6 months to a year?
Given your indices (MVC/RDW) you posted, which is highly suggestive of iron deficiency, as aforementioned, not suggestive of hemochromatosis. Thalassemia trait, unlikely as you more than likely would have been dx with this year's ago, unless this is the first time you've had a CBC pulled? Nevertheless, due to your red blood cells being smaller than they should be--->microcytosis, which your MCV (mean cell [corpuscular] volume) of 72 fL is a telltale sign that there's a deficiency in the makings, and or present. Could there be an other etiological explanation(s), sure. Tho, I'd suggest teasing out the most common cause. It's a common theme in the BB community due to over-phlebotomizing.
I'd suggest having an anemia panel pulled, this will have a comprehensive look at your iron perimeters.
If you're supplementing with zinc, I'd highly suggest stopping until you/your treating clinician confirms the cause of your microcytosis. If indeed iron deficiency is present and you're supplementing zinc, this can shift zinc rather than iron into the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, resulting in zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP). Not something you want to struggle with.
I'd also tease out the possibility of undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea as well.
BLTC, how many times have you donated blood over the last 6 months to a year?
Given your indices (MVC/RDW) you posted, which is highly suggestive of iron deficiency, as aforementioned, not suggestive of hemochromatosis. Thalassemia trait, unlikely as you more than likely would have been dx with this year's ago, unless this is the first time you've had a CBC pulled? Nevertheless, due to your red blood cells being smaller than they should be--->microcytosis, which your MCV (mean cell [corpuscular] volume) of 72 fL is a telltale sign that there's a deficiency in the makings, and or present. Could there be an other etiological explanation(s), sure. Tho, I'd suggest teasing out the most common cause. It's a common theme in the BB community due to over-phlebotomizing.
I'd suggest having an anemia panel pulled, this will have a comprehensive look at your iron perimeters.
If you're supplementing with zinc, I'd highly suggest stopping until you/your treating clinician confirms the cause of your microcytosis. If indeed iron deficiency is present and you're supplementing zinc, this can shift zinc rather than iron into the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, resulting in zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP). Not something you want to struggle with.
I'd also tease out the possibility of undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea as well.