Hello, I had some blood work done today because I've been feeling quite anemic...
My iron level came back at 17. Unfortunately, they missed testing my Ferritin this time by mistake. My hemoglobin levels look fine, though.
About a year ago, my iron was also at 16, and my Ferritin was right on the low end at 23 (normal range is 12-300). No one really gave me any guidance back then, so I just started taking iron supplements on my own...
Transferrin from a year ago: 2.94 (1.91-3.26) Transferrin saturation: 0.22 (0.20-0.50)
Now, my transferrin is at the upper limit at 3.25, while the saturation is at the lower limit at 0.21.
Monocytes are 0.3 (0.2-0.8)
What might these results point toward?
Personally, I feel like getting a new Ferritin reading would be incredibly helpful...
It is striking how many people suffer from these exact same symptoms, yet so few receive an accurate diagnosis or proper treatment before things escalate...
I find it hard to believe that no one else on this forum is dealing with what I am going through.
My ENT specialist diagnosed me with LPR, and following that, I was prescribed a higher dose of Prilosec 20 mg—specifically 40 mg twice daily for two months, followed by three months of once-daily morning doses before my follow-up. It clearly takes a significant amount of time to see any real improvement. The most difficult part is this constant sense of hunger that persists, even worsening after I eat. It is quite baffling that despite all these symptoms, my endoscopy was supposedly completely normal.
I will likely need to undergo further testing, such as pH monitoring...
I'll join in too... My transnasal endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound both came back fine. I just had my checkup recently. H. pylori was negative. I've never dealt with heartburn...
Symptoms over the last few years: a constant sense of hunger and emptiness in my mouth, throat, and esophagus that doesn't go away even after eating; mandatory snoring in the morning and after meals; coughing, post-nasal drip, clearing my throat, sensitive vocal cords, throat stinging, and hoarseness after talking quite a bit... sometimes if I eat late at night and then drink water or tea and—God forbid—lie down in a semi-reclined position, I feel liquid rising in my esophagus, forcing me to sit up, change positions, and take an antacid or more water. Then there are times when it feels like I can't take a deep enough breath, which even happens while I'm eating. I've also had several instances of feeling a lump in my throat, like something is stuck inside, or the sensation of swallowing pills, along with a dry throat at night that keeps me getting up to drink water.
I was prescribed Prilosec 20 mg, twice a day for four weeks. My doctor said to follow up if things don't improve...
I've read a lot about LPR, and a few years ago I was actually diagnosed based solely on a throat exam. Back then they gave me Ace, but since I found out I was pregnant, the treatment had to be put on hold.
Last year I had another flare-up of symptoms, so I did one course of a proton pump inhibitor. The improvement was short-lived and barely noticeable. Obviously, one needs to stay on therapy much longer, and while using a proton pump inhibitor, you should also use alkaline water to rinse and neutralize all that pepsin from the mouth, nose, throat, vocal cords, and esophagus... I heard you can even get tested for pepsin in saliva, though I'm not sure if that's available here in the States.
Since I transitioned to a vegan diet about six months ago, I've been wondering how my vitamin levels are holding up. My iron has always run low, even back when I was an omnivore—especially during my first pregnancy when I had to take Feosol. It shows at 16 here, though my ferritin (iron stores) is right on the edge at 23. My potassium was 3.8 three months ago, but it has since dropped to 3.4. B12 looks fine, and Vitamin D is sitting at the lower limit. I’ve been taking some multivitamins over the last few months, so I am curious if I should stick with those or switch to specific supplements for iron, B vitamins, and so on...
I also had my TSH (thyroid hormone) checked. It was 1.82 three months ago, and now it is 3.19. Does a spontaneous miscarriage like the one I had two weeks ago have any impact on thyroid levels?
I would appreciate it if someone could share their thoughts on this.
30 years old, female, weight fluctuates between 92-99 lbs.
I maintain a fairly healthy diet (been vegan for the last 3 months), though nothing stands out visually besides the fact that I feel bloated enough to be five months pregnant.
I had these tests done because of stomach issues... a constant feeling of hunger that has persisted for years, hoarseness after talking for a while, sensitive vocal cords and throat, and some "rattling" sensations... plus weight loss and occasional pains in my abdomen and chest. My previous diagnosis (before getting a gastroscopy) was laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR, and I take a PPI as needed.
CRP, EKG, and finger-stick glucose levels are all normal. My next step is an H. pylori test; I tested positive seven years ago and completed treatment, and I've had annual check-ups since then which have always come back negative.
After that, I finally plan to schedule a gastroscopy under sedation to solve this mystery once and for all, as the uncertainty is starting to take a psychological toll on me.
Excellent! I am currently watching... I'm actually transitioning toward a vegan lifestyle. We'll see how it goes. I haven't eaten red meat in years, and white meat or fish is just occasional at best... plus, I avoid dairy as much as possible (I've swapped out cow's milk for various plant-based alternatives).
Some people will watch this and just dismiss it as another passing trend, while others will truly stop to reflect. Ultimately, there is a healthier alternative for everything... one that benefits our bodies, the animals, and the environment.
Maria Fisher46 said:It’s unlikely an infectious disease specialist will be the key here, especially since you've been dealing with this for two years already. Honestly, it's surprising you haven't seen a gastroenterologist yet for a full workup—including a colonoscopy—given everything you mentioned, like the abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Beyond that, it seems odd that you haven't had an endocrine panel done to check thyroid levels, sex hormones, adrenal function, or blood glucose...
If you're planning to handle all of this through private specialists, you better brace yourself; it’s going to cost a fortune!
My doctor is truly unbelievable; she doesn't see a single issue. I went to her the other day with my latest labs and questions, and after all that, she basically just gave me a referral for ferritin. She keeps ignoring the other symptoms I've brought up a hundred times, claiming there's no reason for further testing because everything falls within "borderline" ranges and nothing looks alarming.
I suppose the problem is that whenever I see her, I act perfectly fine... maybe I should start faking intense pain and rolling around on the floor instead.
Clearly, my only option left is to take all these records to a private specialist, regardless of the cost...
Regarding symptoms... I'm still dealing with occasional digestive issues, specifically loose stools and strange pains. Last year, I frequently had this dull ache that would radiate from my abdomen to my back and vice versa. (I had an abdominal ultrasound and stool tests done back then, and everything supposedly came back normal). Then there are those mornings when I wake up feeling shaky, ravenously hungry, weak, and nauseous, accompanied by an urgent need to use the bathroom...
Occasionally, my face gets itchy and breaks out in bumps that look like mosquito bites. (It was the same last year; my scalp was quite itchy too, along with my face. Back then, my eosinophils were also above the upper limit.
I am naturally thin, but I have lost even more weight recently (I'm currently at about 95-97 lbs).
What kind of specialists should I see? Perhaps a nephrologist, a hematologist, or an infectious disease specialist? There has to be a logical explanation for these abnormal neutrophil and lymphocyte levels that have persisted for nearly two years...
Hello everyone. Since my doctors seem completely stumped by my situation, I was wondering if anyone here might have an idea why my blood work has consistently shown low neutrophils and high lymphocytes for over a year and a half now? This all started right after I gave birth... My last normal blood count was back in November 2014, just a few days before delivery, when everything was perfectly within range. I am really looking for some guidance or direction on where to turn or which specialist to see who won't just dismiss my symptoms and lab results. I would be incredibly grateful for any help...
I am looking for a recommendation for a private general practitioner in Washington, D.C. who is also fluent in English. So far, the only clinic I have found online is the Tarle Clinic. Has anyone here had any experience with them?
A positive result for Hepatitis B surface antigen just means you either recovered from an exposure or you were vaccinated at some point. I had a positive result once myself, and that was the end of it...
Linda Ward312 said:Thanks! She only swabbed me for anaerobes (still waiting on those results) and handed me some Medicated solution suppositories.
Hey there! I went through the exact same thing, plus I gave birth last year around the 11th month...
I actually just used my last dose of the Medicated solution tonight. My Pap smear came back positive for Trichomonas vaginalis, so you might have had that too... Did you experience anything else besides the discharge and stinging? Any pain?
My partner finished his treatment; he didn't show any symptoms, though men rarely do.
Maria Fisher46 said:It’s possible, but you really should start with a thorough internal medicine evaluation, especially since you mentioned having blood in your stool and some abdominal and back pain. Also, lymphocytosis isn't specific to autoimmune thyroid diseases; it can show up with various other autoimmune conditions as well.
I've never actually had blood in my stool, just some minor bleeding from hemorrhoids and occasional constipation after giving birth.
The pain still comes and goes occasionally.
I recently had a Pap smear, and they found Trichomonas vaginalis for the first time, so maybe that's what's causing the pain... I'm currently treating it with Medazol vaginal suppositories (partner tablets) because I am breastfeeding.
I went for a consultation at the allergy and clinical immunology department... They ran tests, reviewed all my results, and listened to me, but they seemed just as puzzled by my symptoms as I am. They just suggested taking an antihistamine as needed—though I don't even need one right now—and getting another CBC.
Anna, I’m looking at your blood work and I honestly can't believe it! I've been dealing with the exact same thing for the last 8 or 9 months... my lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. It all started right after I gave birth, along with a whole bunch of weird symptoms that nobody could actually explain to me... Could it be hypothyroidism for me, too?
I just had my Pap smear results back. There were no CIN issues, but they did find Trichomonas. The doctor mentioned they updated the findings from normal flora to trichomoniasis, which felt a bit odd to me—I'm hoping there wasn't some mix-up in the lab... Anyway, since I’m still nursing occasionally (my little one is 10 months old), my OBGYN prescribed only Medazol vaginal suppositories for me and tablets for my partner. She assured me that very little would pass through my milk, so I shouldn't worry. Even so, I'm still feeling anxious about whether it's safe... Stopping breastfeeding entirely for just ten days feels too extreme, so I was considering nursing only at night before using the suppository, then pumping and discarding the milk the following day. I'm not sure if that's a viable plan or if I should just stop nursing altogether.
I've never dealt with this specific infection before.
One more thing: I wasn't prescribed any probiotics. I've been reading that Medazol can trigger yeast infections... Is it okay for me to take an over-the-counter supplement on my own during or after the treatment?
Over the last 8 months (I had blood work done 2 months postpartum and then a few more times), my Lymphocytes and neutrophils have been right on the edge or slightly out of range.
The eosinophils have decreased, but those two values are still fluctuating...😢
From the beginning until now, I haven't received any concrete answers. My primary care physician is ignoring me, and even my private doctor didn't have much to say...
Nicholas Myers, perhaps you remember my previous results and the symptoms I described...