Enlarged Red Blood Cells

Had blood test to see if I had gout for pain in my right hand. Blood work came back normal except for enlarged red blood cells. Those can be caused by several things, B-12 or folic acid deficiency, liver disease and some other things. Had Hep C 7 years ago - did tx and cleared and have tested Undetectable for past 6 years. Doc is now running blood work on liver function, thyroid, CBC, etc. I do take 1-1/2 to 2 vicodin (10/625 or 500) a day (not dr. prescribed) for various reasons (ie, irritable bowel syndrome, sinuses, allergies, etc). They take the edge off and I am careful to never take more than 1200 mgs at once (only take once a day). Get annual physicals and ALT and AST are always in the low normal range. Dr. has me freaked out but told me not to and said they could possibly be normal with today's blood work. I am hard to draw blood from and was stuck about 7 times yesterday. I was wondering if getting stuck that many times could in some way "traumatize" your blood cells from a foreign object entering your blood stream.

To all you going through tx, good luck and know that it will soon be a distant memory. Thanks.

Laurie

[PegOnPeg]

Yes, blood cells can be damaged before, (which is why they don't want you to pump your arm before a draw) during (I'd say it's the poking around that will tramatize and area) & after a draw...I've had blood techs drop vials of blood on the floor....when I had taken phlebotomy classes, the warned us against shaking the vials of blood too vigorously...never mind dropping 'um.