Labs
 

Hi everyone,
I had a lot of labs done and thought I could give you some results and see what you think.

My fasting glucose was 101. I think it probably is nothing but this is the second time it came back slightly high.

RBC was 3.80
HCT was 35.4

Think I'm slightly anemic?

ABS Lymph was 1.3. Have no idea what this means and got different opinions doing research.

Gamma globulin was 0.65. Not sure about this one either

My vitamin D came back at 65.9 which is much better than it was.

B12 was 325. I know that is not high enough for neuropathy patients. I did read the b12 thread. I just need to know how much I should start taking.

My urine specific gravity was 1.002 and my Ph was high at 8.

I think I have an idea now why I'm so exhausted all the time. Too exhausted to do anything. Also, my pain level has really gone up. That is really unusual for me in the summer. When I first got sick my forearms itched all the time. It's back.

Any thoughts from anyone will be appreciated.

Re: the B12...
 

Unless you're sensitive to it in some way, it'd be hard to take too much, so it's up to you—1000-5000 mcg—just take it on an empty stomach.

Doc

The only results--
 

--that would be decidely out of range from among those you mentioned would be the red blood cell count (RBC) and hemocrit.

The B12 is probably listed as in range but is low from my perspective.

What other blood test results are there (if you don't mind my asking)? Low B12 can certainly result in anemia.

The absolute lymphocyte count of 1300 is low end of normal, but well within range. The proportion of cell types among the white blood cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils) certainly vary with infectious status; in healthy individuals they vary widely across individuals, but tend to stay fairly consistent within individuals over time. My lymphocyte counts are always in the 1250-1350 range. In fact, they tend to be in a very narrow range around 1300 most of the time. My neutrophils are always around 5350-5500. And so on.

The urine specific gravity is a bit low, but the most common cause for that is drinking too much fluid (sometimes it can mean kindey infection--if that is suspected you might be given a more specific osmality test). Diabetic kidney damage (and dehydration) would more likely result in higher specific gravity.

In addition to correcting the RBC/hematocrit, B12 can also help normalize the white cells. Nutrients that play a key role in blood production are B12, folate, B6, iron, copper and zinc. These are just the heavy hitters. So in addition to the B12, you may want to add in a B-complex that has the bio-available form of vitamins. And if you haven't already, at some point, get your copper, iron and zinc tested. I would NOT supplement with iron or copper until you know what they are.

You really can't draw any definitive conclusions from just one blood draw unless they are really out of range. Even then, you need to rerun the tests again. You would be surprised at how easily they mess up a blood draw.

Thanks for your answer. I had so many labs drawn I don't think I could list them all or you would want to see them all. Haha!

Are there any particular ones you would like to know about in order to help me with advice. My neutrophils were 58.

I didn't realize low b12 could cause anemia. Will taking are of the b12 help to increase the RBC &HCT ?

Thanks for your help!

Hi Marlene,
You answered the question I just asked glenntaj. I was asking if increasing b12 would take care of the RBC & HCT.

The only other one tested out of those you mentioned was folate. My level was 18.9.

I don't see my rheumo for a few more months but I will ask him to check my cooper, iron & zinc.

In the past I have had issues off and on with anemia. The doctor always up me on iron. I really don't want to do that again so I'm going to start with the B 12.

Thanks!

You really need your ferritin level checked (iron stores). If you are low in iron then you should be taking it...as well as the B12.

Don't worry--
 

--you can list all your lab results if you want (and you certainly wouldn't be the only one here who has).

B12 deficiency results in many problems--neurological, hematological, musculoskeletal . . .often, the symptoms are subtle and inspecific at first, but over time become more pronounced.

The good thing is that B12 deficiency can almost always be easily treated, and these days it can be treated through oral supplementation cheaply, without constant visits for B12 injections. But the recovery from B12 deficiency can be long and involve various relapses and remissions, peaks and valleys, as the body used it for rebuilding and then attempts to rebuild stores.

If you are anemic and start B12
You may have a temporary potassium drain
because the B12 will go to making new
Blood cells as a priority. So eat potassium rich
Foods or get get your doctor to help
With an RX.

With your folate on the high end, it's possible you're not utilizing what you have. Adding in the methyl B12 may help with that. Pay attention to how you feel when you add in the B12 and be prepared to adjust the dosage timing if you feel worse. Sometimes, it can be too much for your body to handle at once and you have go slower. But if you find you're OK, I would really consider adding in the bio-active B complex after a week or two.

Copper, iron and zinc work hand-in-hand. If any one is out of balance, it can throw the others off. Since you've had iron issues in the past, ask if you should have a complete iron panel done.