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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on May 14, 2006, at 16:25:22
OK, I won't go into details. Let's just say that I got to have some blood tests at the ER, and those three things came back low on one of them. I've looked online, and am not entirely clear on what sorts of things are most likely to cause those readings, and how they would relate to dizziness (more a feeling like heavy vibration through my whole body, kinda like when you give platelets?), too high oxygen saturation, and an abnormal EKG? Anyone got any pearls of wisdom to strew before me?
Other results that I see near the end of reference ranges are:
HGB: 12.1 RR: 12.0 - 16
MCH: 32 RR: 27 - 32
NA: 138 RR: 137 - 147
TotProt: 6.1 RR: 6.1 - 8.2
CA: 8.5 RR: 8.3 - 10.3
BILI.TOT: 0.3 RR: 0.1 - 1.2
ALK PHOS: 40 RR: 38 - 126Everything else seems to be solidly towards the middle of the references ranges.
Thanks!
So, any ideas what I might want to think about looking for? I'll call -- GRRR! This is the problem: I want a new doctor, after my last visit to mine. So, I will see about a doctor's appointment tomorrow, although I hate to switch while there's a problem going on, you know?
Regardless, I will do something about asking a doctor tomorrow. For today, I just want an idea of what I might want to be thinking about?
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2006, at 17:29:31
In reply to Low HCT, RBC, and BUN? Poss causes?, posted by Racer on May 14, 2006, at 16:25:22
> OK, I won't go into details. Let's just say that I got to have some blood tests at the ER, and those three things came back low on one of them. I've looked online, and am not entirely clear on what sorts of things are most likely to cause those readings, and how they would relate to dizziness (more a feeling like heavy vibration through my whole body, kinda like when you give platelets?), too high oxygen saturation, and an abnormal EKG? Anyone got any pearls of wisdom to strew before me?
Low....
HCT (hematocrit) you're anemic
RBC (red blood count) you're anemic
BUN (blood urea nitrogen) common in pregnancy> Other results that I see near the end of reference ranges are:
>
> HGB: 12.1 RR: 12.0 - 16
hemoglobin, anemic> MCH: 32 RR: 27 - 32
means the low hemoglobin is because you have too few red blood cells, rather than too little hemoglobin per red blood cell> NA: 138 RR: 137 - 147
low sodium, could be due to meds, kidney problems> TotProt: 6.1 RR: 6.1 - 8.2
could be sign of malnutrition, kidney problems> CA: 8.5 RR: 8.3 - 10.3
possible kidney problem, many other reasons too> BILI.TOT: 0.3 RR: 0.1 - 1.2
of no concern> ALK PHOS: 40 RR: 38 - 126
possible malnutrition....celiac?Taken together with the low calcium, the low alkaline phosphatase could indicate a bone disorder, or an artefact of your ED. Not yet significant, however.
> Everything else seems to be solidly towards the middle of the references ranges.
>
> Thanks!
>
> So, any ideas what I might want to think about looking for? I'll call -- GRRR! This is the problem: I want a new doctor, after my last visit to mine. So, I will see about a doctor's appointment tomorrow, although I hate to switch while there's a problem going on, you know?
>
> Regardless, I will do something about asking a doctor tomorrow. For today, I just want an idea of what I might want to be thinking about?http://www.webmd.com/a_to_z_guide/medical_tests.htm
http://www.bloodbook.com/ranges.html
http://www.flash-med.com/LabNormal.aspLar
Posted by Pfinstegg on May 16, 2006, at 19:12:53
In reply to Re: Low HCT, RBC, and BUN? Poss causes? » Racer, posted by Larry Hoover on May 15, 2006, at 17:29:31
The low Hct, and RBC means that you are anemic. A more thorough doctor could measure your iron levels; it's much easier to get pregnant when you are not anemic- and much better for nourishing the baby. Many women don't know that they are anemic (usually due to heavy periods and/or not eating enough iron-rich foods) until they are actually pregnant- then they are given iron. I think it's better to take the important things- iron, folic acid and other B vitamins, and Vit C BEFORE pregnancy. Gives everyone a healthy start!
All the other values are fine- being at the upper or lower limit of normal is nothing to worry about- you have to be somewhere!
Posted by honeybee on May 31, 2006, at 18:26:34
In reply to Re: Low HCT, RBC, and BUN? Poss causes? » Larry Hoover, posted by Pfinstegg on May 16, 2006, at 19:12:53
Racer,
I know this is way late in the game to post, but one thing that my doc added, when I was concerned about some of my labs (at the low end) was that they reference ranges were very often tabulated for men of a much heftier weight than I. (She's also featherweight, as far as doctor's go. A tiny woman.) I had to say, I hadn't thought of that. Plus, you really do need to fall somewhere!
hb
This is the end of the thread.
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