Blood Test results.

[missprim]

Had my blood test last Friday and got the results yesterday.
Most are ok but there are 3 that don't come within the range and wondered if it's still alright and what it might mean.

Hb 108
Platelets 463
CRP 15.

Don't want to see GP unless I really have to.

[bednobs]

hb = on the low side. You are anaemic.
platelets are high but i don't really know the significance of that
CRP = could be anything. A marker of inflammation - did you have an infection prior to having the bt?

[missprim]

I thought I might be anaemic but I can't stand to take iron tablets but if it goes any lower perhaps I should see my GP
The platelets are supposed to be checked because I have 'Gold' injections every 4 weeks for my arthritis but I don't know whether they would be concerned if they are high or low.
The problem is, it's a nurse that writes the results down in my book and so I don't know if the doctor gets to see them and the nurse never seems bothered.

[bednobs]

the crp is because of the arthritis then - what is it usually?

[missprim]

In Feb it was 5, in March it was 4 but then in April it went up to 11 and last month it was 16 so at least it's come down a bit from then.

[bednobs]

it means your arthritis is more active, or the treatment isn't working so well

[DTCwordfan]

do you eat liver, missprim, that's a good source....fortunately I liked it when I was young and had anaemia, and I like it reasonably rare. I had to be supplemented by cod-liver oil capsules and when I was 6, the occasional needle - the reason I still hate them....

[missprim]

Oh no DT I couldn't eat liver.
I know this doesn't seem likely but the rheumatologist put me on Sulphazalazine,
(not sure if I've spelt that right) as well as my Gold injections and it seems that since then, I've been in more pain and in places I didn't have much pain before.

[DTCwordfan]

then I would go and see the GP....far better to get everything in balance now.

[missprim]

Do you know if there's an alternative to taking iron tablets?

[bednobs]

eating more stuff with iron in it!

[missprim]

Well I could do that bednobs but I was thinking of something medical like an injection.Not sure how much iron enriched foods I would need to eat.
The reason I wondered this was because they wanted me to take Alendonic acid for my osteoporosis but I wouldn't take them as I have had stomach ulcers in the past, so they arranged for me to have a once yearly infusion so I would rather have a one off injection than take tablets if that's possible but I won't go and see my GP until I'm sure of my options.

[Sqad]

They look alright to me considering your medication.

I wouldn't bother your GP.

[missprim]

Ok sqad thanks.

[Smowball]

You actually get given your exact results? Blimey, all I get is "yep they're fine" over the phone, lol

[missprim]

Hi Smow, I have my bloods taken every 4 weeks because of the medication I'm on so they keep a record of it in my little book.

[HowardKennitby]

iron vegetables

http://www.healthalic...bles-high-in-iron.php

[LazyGun]

One cause of an elevated CRP is an ongoing, chronic inflammatory condition. If it is falling, thats obviously the irection to go in. Anything under 10 would be good :)

Platelet count is essentially high normal. (NR 150-400 ish)Would not be unexpected to see a slightly elevated platelet count in a chronic inflammatory condition.

Hb is only slightly below the normal range for a female (NR115-160 ish). Not sufficiently low to be automatically classed as anaemic, and unless you have any of the clinical symptoms associated with anaemia, no need for concern.

[missprim]

Thanks to Howard and Lazygun.