HomeAnswersHematologyiron defeciency anemiaDo my lab values indicate iron deficiency anemia?

Do my lab values indicate iron deficiency anemia?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Singh Smrita

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At December 25, 2017
Reviewed AtJuly 24, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 58-year-old man and I had a CBC with differential 10 days ago. I donate blood about every two months. I have been taking daily Metamucil for about three months and testosterone shots. My level is 930. All other tests are quite normal except HDL cholesterol which is low. I stopped drinking alcohol three months ago and the anion gap was 6. I am on 12.5 mg of Atenolol, Amlodipine 10 mg, Irbesartan 300 mg once per day for hypertension. My BP is 123/76.

I had flu-like symptoms at first with no congestion two weeks ago. I have bad joints and muscle aches. That went away. Now, I have fatigue, slight shortness of breath with numb handsand feet at night in bed. I have experienced symptoms of fatigue, slight shortness of breath at rest, and my hands falling asleep when I wake up at night. Even though the RBC is normal, do you think that the laboratory test below indicates iron deficiency anemia?

The results of the CBC are as follows:

  1. WBC 3.47 K/uL 4.00 - 12.00 K/uL - low.
  2. RBC 5.70 mil/uL 4.50 - 6.00 mil/uL.
  3. Hgb 12.8 g/dL 14.0 - 18.0 g/dL - Low.
  4. Hct 42.1 % 40 - 54 %.
  5. MCV 73.9 fL 80 - 98 fL - Low.
  6. MCH 22.5 pg 27 - 33 pg - Low.
  7. MCHC 30.4 g/dL 32 - 37 g/dL - low.
  8. RDW 15.1 % 11.5 - 15.0 % - High.
  9. Platelet 183 K/uL 150 - 450 K/uL.
  10. Differential type automated.
  11. Absolute neutrophil 1.86 K/uL 1.80 - 7.80 K/uL.
  12. Absolute immature granulocytes 0.00 K/uL 0.00 - 0.05 K/uL.
  13. Absolute lymphocytes 1.12 K/uL 0.80 - 3.30 K/uL.
  14. Absolute monophil 0.37 K/uL 0.10 - 1.00 K/uL.
  15. Absolute eosinophil 0.09 K/uL 0.00 - 0.40 K/uL.
  16. Absolute basophil 0.03 K/uL 0.00 - 0.20 K/uL.
  17. Neutrophil 53.5 %.
  18. Immature granulocytes 0.0 % 0.0 - 0.6 %.
  19. Lymphocytes 32.3 %.
  20. Monocytes 10.7 %.
  21. Eosinophils 2.6 %.
  22. Basophil 0.9 %.
Answered by Dr. Singh Smrita

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

From these test results, you appear to have microcytosis and hypochromia of the red blood cells.

This is most commonly seen in iron deficiency anemia.

I would suggest you take iron and folic acid tablets thrice daily after meals for at least a month.

As for the numbness of hands and feet, this could be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Are you a vegetarian? If so then this could be a reason for the numbness. The other symptoms that you have described are consistent with iron deficiency.

I would also advise you to not donate blood until your blood iron levels and ferritin stores are normalized.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Singh Smrita
Dr. Singh Smrita

Hematology

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