most recent 30 from http://paleohacks.com 2013-05-21T06:10:18Z http://paleohacks.com/feeds/question/122365 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://paleohacks.com/questions/122365/confusing-to-me-iron-studies-need-help-interpreting MNH 2012-05-25T16:41:17Z 2012-08-31T22:22:01Z

<p>I recently had some blood work and was found to have mildly decreased RBCs (just below the lower end of normal). Prior to this set of lab results, I'd always been in the normal range (for blood work!). I had some followup iron labs drawn and got the results yesterday. I'm confused because I can't find anything that fits the combination of results that I have. They are:</p> <p>Iron, total 119 (range 40-175 mcg/dL) Iron binding capacity 244 (range 250-450 mcg/dL) % saturation 49 (range 15-50%) ferritin 36 (range 10-232 ng/mL)</p> <p>The RBCs were 3.7 (range 3.80-5.10 Million/uL)</p> <p>Other information: Usually run low platelets, but not excessively low--they were 124,000 on this draw. MCH consistently is a little high--on this draw, value was 34.2 and the range is 27.0-33.0.</p> <p>Nutritionally, I have been underweight and overweight--now I'm overweight and have been for about 2 years. I consume a lot of red meat.</p> <p>In attempting to research this, I don't seem to fit iron deficiency or any other type of easily identified pattern. Anybody have any thoughts? Thanks in advance.</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/122365/confusing-to-me-iron-studies-need-help-interpreting/122370#122370 NorthernPaleo 2012-05-25T17:18:57Z 2012-05-25T17:18:57Z

<p>Sex? Youd didn't get any MCV? Any reticulocytes measured?</p> <p>Iron low</p> <p>TIBC low</p> <p>Transferrin Saturation normal</p> <p>Ferritin normal (but on the lower edge)</p> <p>Hyperchrome</p> <p>Hard to tell by just these stats!</p>

http://paleohacks.com/questions/122365/confusing-to-me-iron-studies-need-help-interpreting/122372#122372 Rogue Dietitan 2012-05-25T17:32:14Z 2012-05-25T17:32:14Z

<p>What's the MCV? </p> <p>Low MCH and MCV indicate iron-deficiency anemia. High MCH and MCV indicate folate and/or B12 deficiency. I agree that it doesn't sound like you are iron deficient. If you eat a lot of (red) meat, your B12 should be fine. Consider getting that checked (I was once deficient in B12 despite eating a lot of animal proteins), as well as folate. </p>