Posted by Larry Hoover on March 15, 2003, at 10:48:13
In reply to Re: Basic biology blood work for those who may know » Larry Hoover, posted by ~Alii~ on March 14, 2003, at 9:25:09
> > > Ok. What does this mean?
> > > Platelet count: out of range 114 L (units THOUS/MCL ref. range 140-400)
> > This is going to make your blood less likely to clot, and bleeding could be of serious concern if you get a significant wound of any sort.
>
> so no running with scissors, right?Ya, that's right. <grin> Not that you'd do that anyway, would you?
> > > Absolute Neutrophils: out of range 133L (units CELLS/MCL ref. range 1500-7800)
> > This is called neutropenia, and indicates that your bone marrow is not producing anywhere near enough of these white blood cells. You are at significant risk should an infection occur, as your body does not have the tools required to fight the infection. It is very important that the cause of this condition be discovered, so you can expect some follow-up testing.
>
> Yes I expect the second round of results this Monday and see a hematologist a week from now. Testing will be a part of it all. A fun filled needle sucking week. I'm packin tangerine juice and pb crackers and cheese so I won't get woozy after they steal several vials from me again. Test away they will. And I'll pay dearly for this privelegde. No insurance makes such things of great concern since each visit is almost if not more than a rent payment and that gets sticky in my situation.I can't think of anything that aggravates me more than the injustice of the world's richest nation failing to provide the most basic of medical care to all of its citizens. Surely it costs more in the long run to fail to treat in a timely and effective manner.
What on earth are you going to do to afford treatment, once the cause of your disorder is discovered?
>Only bonus I can think of is the bitchin bandaids they put on me to cover the track marks they're giving me from poking me for blood so frequently. They're going to my hands next. This is getting good folks. All this for a tasmanian devil bandage or a sea life one with orca, dolphins, manatees, and sharks (ok so it's not real).
I like your sense of humour.
> > > The second one seems to be the one drawing concern. Someone with basic blood knowledge please chime in.
> > > Thanks
> > > ~Alii
>
> > The possible causes for these low values are of a great variety of things. I hope the cause is obvious, in your case, and easily treated.
> >
> > Lar
>
>
> I'm crossing my fingers until next week and probably for a week after that for tests to come back to figure out just why these things are so low. Hopefully it is something easy but if not then I can honestly say the root cause of whatever it may be is years and years of depression. Crushing depression.
>
> Blah.
>
> ~AliiSome of the causes include relatively easy-to-treat infections like tuberculosis. However, there are other difficult-to-treat (read expensive) causes, some of which may be life-threatening in the long run. I'm hoping not to scare you, but aren't there hospitals that have to treat you, regardless of your insurance status? Health should not depend on financial status (an unabashedly political opinion).
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:208903
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030314/msgs/209363.html