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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
TO: Dr Mark Lupo, Re: Just One More Question (CBCs)
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
TO: Dr Mark Lupo, Re: Just One More Question (CBCs)
by Jimlow, Sep 10, 2005 12:00AM
Drmark, I'll make this my last question for a good while, so as not to hinder others from getting answers. You mention pernicious anema recently. I may have been looking in the wrong direction as far as my fatigue symptom. I'm a Hashi's patient but my Dr. wouldn't go over my CBcs much. Following are the results, I'll list only the questionable ones. March-2003: WBC "3.7"(range 4.5-11.0), March 2004: WBC "4.0"(range 4.5-11.0), HGB "14.2"(range 14.0-18.0), MCHC 32.7(range 33.0-37.0 flagged low), Hemocrite 43.1(range 42.0-52.0), MCH 27.6(range 27.0-31.0 Near Borderline low), Eos 4(range 1-3 flagged high).
After the preceeding results I had, I took liquide Geritol, then retested in 4-months. The labs only raised very slightly, for example, my HGB, went from 14.2 to 14.5 and the others also only changed by a couple of tenths (WBC 14.2).
I looked at a test my age-69 dad had recently and his HGB was 16.5, mine at age-40 was much lower (now age-42). Could this have been onset of pernicious anemia. I had been on thyroid med, nearly a year when the test was done. Would the best diagnostic test for me now, be a B-12 level and possibly another CBC? I read that pernicious anemia can lower WBC and mine was low on three diff. tests? Thanks Much.
After the preceeding results I had, I took liquide Geritol, then retested in 4-months. The labs only raised very slightly, for example, my HGB, went from 14.2 to 14.5 and the others also only changed by a couple of tenths (WBC 14.2).
I looked at a test my age-69 dad had recently and his HGB was 16.5, mine at age-40 was much lower (now age-42). Could this have been onset of pernicious anemia. I had been on thyroid med, nearly a year when the test was done. Would the best diagnostic test for me now, be a B-12 level and possibly another CBC? I read that pernicious anemia can lower WBC and mine was low on three diff. tests? Thanks Much.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Sep 16, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 16, 2005 12:00AM
Pernicious anemia (PA) happens when the body cannot absorb b-12 due to an immune system attack. B-12 levels are the place to start. There is a new test called MMA that may pick up b-12 def earlier than the b-12 level. The CBC may be normal in early b-12 deficiency - first place to look in the CBC is the MCV (high in b-12 def). WBC may be decreased as well, but there are other causes of low WBC (leukemia, HIV, bone marrow problems - are most likely you just run a little low normally). If it gets lower, perhaps a hematologist should be consulted.
The other tests are antibodies against Intrinsic Factor and Parietal Cell.
Good luck - PA is more common in hashi pts but still rare....
The other tests are antibodies against Intrinsic Factor and Parietal Cell.
Good luck - PA is more common in hashi pts but still rare....
I was anemic as a child, don't know if that makes me more suceptable.
( under Graves Disease ) question? If you have time tomorrow afternoonish, check out the women's health board.I'll comment to a recent question and send the comment to you.I don't know how else to communicate.We need to do some serious communicating.
Cat