Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]

rapidranger79 said:I can't share all the specifics, but the results came back this afternoon... there's no other way to put it. Iron levels are Fe 9, UIBC 24, TIBC 33, ferritin 252... Ferlicit was prescribed at the hospital. Another internist thinks Ferlicit is unnecessary—actually, harmful.

At this ferritin level, an iron supplement is neither necessary nor helpful. The second internist is right. I can't comment further without knowing the full blood work, age, sex, or actual symptoms.

Sandra Brooks91 said:What happens to the liver when certain markers are low? Like ALT and ALP?

Low ALT typically carries no clinical significance. As for ALP, it depends on how low it is and whether the patient is symptomatic.

Hannah Peterson said:So how is it that they couldn't just tell her at the American Red Cross lab if she was positive or not, but instead found "one tiny marker that might suggest it's Hep"... I just don't get it. -_-

It is highly probable they will repeat the test or run a confirmatory one using a different method to either confirm or rule out the suspicion.

restlesstiger102 said:Hi, I did some testing on my reproductive hormones and got the results today. Basically, I'm struggling with weight gain even though I don't eat much.
I'm planning to see a gynecologist, but I'm not exactly thrilled with my current one (he never says anything, just mutters to himself, and won't explain things when asked. His go-to answer is always "just get pregnant and everything will balance out"🤦... and yes, I'm looking for a new doctor, but that's a separate issue).

I'm attaching a photo of the results, so if anyone knows how to interpret them, please help—I can't make heads or tails of this. I just want to be prepared for the conversation with him and know if I need to ask for a referral for more tests.

http://postimg.org/image/3pvnldwtj/

Thanks🙂

What phase of your cycle were you in when you had the bloodwork done? Also, even if you aren't overeating, a lack of physical activity can still lead to weight gain. Have you checked your thyroid levels?

Emily Ortiz27 said:We also had an eye exam today where they noted megalocornea, and he'll be undergoing some follow-up tests under anesthesia soon.
Is all of this connected, or is it just a series of unfortunate coincidences? It feels like nobody is looking at the child holistically; everyone just focuses on their own narrow specialty, leaving us in quite a state of worry, while the child seems like a perfectly healthy (albeit tiny, with huge eyes 😍), energetic, curious, and engaged one-year-old 😕

Hmm, there are certain syndromes where megalocornea is a component. Wait for the ophthalmology workup to finish; it might not be a syndrome. Otherwise, I think it’s best to stick with Mayo Clinic for pediatric care—they have the most experience dealing with rare diseases and syndromes.

Hey Nicholas Myers, sorry for drifting off-topic here, but you can't receive any PMs because your inbox is completely maxed out! 😉

Hey there. I could use some help interpreting these blood work results. My doctor sent me in because they suspect I might have arthritis:

Urea 310
ALP 116
White Blood Cells 9.08
RBC 4.28
Hgb 133
Hematocrit 0.372
MCV 87
MCH 28.7
MCHC 330
RDW 12.6
Platelets 303
MPV 7.4
ESR 34

My ALP is sitting right on the edge of the normal range, which goes up to 119.
Also, my ESR is pretty high.

Any insights would be appreciated.

I have a question regarding a low-dose dexamethasone test.

About a year and a half ago, I underwent a low-dose dex test because my cortisol levels were elevated.
The protocol was taking a 1mg tablet in the evening and testing my cortisol the following morning.

The first time, my cortisol dropped below 25, which is within the normal range.

Then, a month ago, I repeated the test. This time, my cortisol was around 190; according to my endocrinologist, it didn't drop enough, so she sent me to run the exact same test again.

After waiting another month, the results came back normal—my cortisol dropped below 25 once more.

Now I’m wondering: can these cortisol levels fluctuate this much due to an underlying illness, or could this just be a lab error or something similar?

I hope someone here might have some insight. Thanks in advance.👍

I have another question, though it isn't about me, but rather an older woman I know 😉
How concerning should we be about an elevated blood glucose reading (6.9, while the lab's upper limit is 6.1 or 6.2)?

This was from last year, and everything before that was fine. She’s a relatively healthy lady, currently taking Skopril, Concor, and Rosix.
Her primary care doctor mentioned that the result is okay.

So, here’s the deal... I'm a bit confused. I just got my bloodwork back and my Hematocrit is low.

The results show Hematocrit: 0.338L, while the normal range starts at 0.356.

Plus, my iron level is sitting at 20.🤔

Some people say a low Hematocrit means bleeding... but everything else on my CBC Panel looks fine. What's actually wrong?

I have a question as well; I recently had blood work and a urine analysis done because of some ovarian inflammation.
What’s really worrying me is finding acetone in my urine. I know that can be a red flag for diabetes—my father is diabetic, for instance—but my blood sugar came back at 4.6, which is perfectly normal. About six months ago, for entirely different reasons, I underwent an OGTT, and my fasting levels were fine, though ninety minutes after taking the glucose, they dropped to 3.6, which is actually below the normal range.
Could there be some kind of connection here? Should I be looking into additional testing? I’m feeling a bit uneasy about it all.

Maria Fisher46 said:No iron supplement is going to make a difference at this ferritin level, let alone be necessary. That other internist is spot on. I’m done commenting on this because, frankly, how can anyone weigh in without knowing the patient's full blood work, their age, gender, or even what symptoms they're actually dealing with?

A low ALT reading doesn't mean anything clinically. As for the ALP, it all depends on how low it is and whether the person is actually feeling unwell.

It’s highly likely they’ll just run the test again or use a different method to confirm or rule out whatever suspicion they have.

Thanks so much; speaking from my own experience as a patient, I thought the same thing, and honestly, I trust the other internist's take more anyway.

Grace Lewis6 said:I’ve got another question popping up, though it isn't actually about my own stuff—it's for an older woman I know. 😉
How much should we be sweating a blood glucose reading of 6.9 when the lab's upper limit is sitting at 6.1 or 6.2?

This was from last year, and everything before that looked totally fine. She's a pretty healthy lady overall, just managing with some Scopril, Concor, and Rosix.
Her primary care doctor basically shrugged it off and said it looks okay.

It would probably make sense to run the test again first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, or maybe go with the old-school OGTT method.

Most likely it’s nothing to lose sleep over, but you know how it goes—health and illness are both moving targets, and things are always shifting. 😉

@ velvetmoose9

Thanks 😉

Can anyone help me out here?
How much should I be sweating over finding 50 Ery/ul of blood in my urine when the reference range is basically zero? Everything else looks totally fine.
I actually had this sent in for testing because I’ve been dropping weight like crazy... and no, I haven't been dieting, obviously.
We're talking like 20-something pounds lost in just 3 or 4 months..
thanks
best

27 years old, Male

Just got back from the doctor because my white blood cell count was looking a bit high. I don't have any history of health issues or anything like that, so if anyone could help me make sense of these results or let me know if there's something specific I should be watching out for, I'd appreciate it.



Thanks. 🙂

Could I also get some insight on:
THANKS

Roger Cruz said:Can anyone help me out here?
How worrying is it to find blood in my urine at 50 Ery/ul when the reference range is 0? Everything else looks totally fine.
I actually went in for tests because I've been dropping weight like crazy... without even trying to diet, obviously.
Like, 20-something pounds in just 3 or 4 months...
thanks
best,

That’s a pretty concerning finding, unfortunately. 👎
But honestly, there isn't enough info here to make any kind of serious call on it.

fadedcrane36 said:27g, M

Just a regular guy here, sent in for some tests because my white blood cell count came back high. No history of health issues or anything like that, really. Just hoping someone can help me 'read' through these results and let me know if there’s anything specific I should be keeping an eye on.



Thanks. 🙂

Hmm, first thing's first—let's call it "laboritis." You should probably just get the labs rerun to start with, and make sure to include ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC this time.
Then, you've got to look at the full picture—your medical history (things like stress levels, what you've been eating lately, any recent bugs you might have fought off...), plus a physical exam, before we can really dig deeper.
Right now, these results are super non-specific. They could point to the early stages of something, but honestly, most likely everything is perfectly fine.

Still, it's best to follow the doctor's advice and get those follow-ups done first.

And what about our findings? Are they not interesting enough for you?🙂

I just got my urine results back and my Urobilinogen is 1. The report says the reference interval is 1, which would mean everything is totally fine... But I’ve been searching online and everyone keeps saying it’s supposed to be zero??

So, I just went in to get my blood and urine work done.
Erc. 4.67 (3.86-5.08)
Hgb 133 (119-157)
Hematocrit 0.446 (0.356-0.470)
MCV 95.5 (83.0-97.2)
MCH 31.3 (27.4-33.9)
MCHC 327 (320-345)
RDW-CV 15.1 H (9.0-15.0)
Leukocytes 7.1 (3.4-9.7)
Neutrophil gran. 50.40 (44-72)
4 Lymphocytes 39.10 (20-46)
Mid cells (MID) 10.50 (2-19)
Platelets 232 (158-424)

My urine results came back totally clean.

I'm 56 years old.

That high RDW-CV is really messing with my head.
Can someone please make sense of this for me?
Full disclosure—I was dealing with some digestive issues (diarrhea) on the day they drew my blood.
Thanks in advance!