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low RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit ... what should I ask my Dr?

Dave TalloDave Tallo
in General Training Discussions

My tests a few weeks ago ... hemoglobin 135 g/l, .395 hematocrit, and 4.26 (x10 12 L) RBC Count.  All below reference range. 

Short of 'talk to my Dr,' does anyone have advice about specific questions I should be asking?  

 

Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    How old are you Dave? You might want to have a colonoscopy to make sure you are not losing any blood in there. Well you don't "want" to have one, but you probably should!
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    The frontline treatment for this is usually iron supplements. Pretty simple (though it CAN cause some GI upset). If your Dr doesn't know you're an endurance athlete, you should mention that too. There is some correlation between endurance athletes who drink and sweat a lot and minor anemia.

    I went through this when I was in my late 30s. Stool test for blood, colonoscopy, tests for celiac (which can inhibit iron absorption), and even a bone biopsy to look for some really nasty cancer-like thing whose name I can't remember.

    Unfortunately for me (or maybe fortunately), no cause was found. Unfortunately also, several variations of iron supplementation didn't help. So I just live with it...and it doesn't affect my life, except for standing up blackouts and presumably being a little slower racer than I would otherwise would be.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Thanks, Carol and William. I'm 46, so I understand that I could look forward to a colonoscopy at 50 anyhow ... This will just accelerate it.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    The good news is that the worst of colonoscopies is really what you go through the day before in flushing out the system. No one I know has has any other significantly negative experience. At least around here, they tend to use a "make you not care and not remember" anesthetic, and not something that makes you feel bad later. No one looks forward to it, but it's not much worse than a day off from work and workouts. Wait, maybe that sounds good.... :-)
  • Brian Quarton [OLD]Brian Quarton [OLD]
    Consider iron studies, including ferritin, B12, RBC folate. If your ferritin is less than 30 performance is impeded.
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    Ferritin of 28. Hmm.
  • Yvette MetzYvette Metz

    Hi Dave,

    Definitely would be concerning!  I would try and collect some past test results. Your history could show if there are any abnormal variations ,show your Doctor. We use a spread sheet for my husbands blood counts.   It is extremely helpful. Wishing you the best! 

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    rest of the iron studies ?

    consider evaluation for GI blood loss.

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