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368646 tn?1208393887

Bad Bld Test After Stroke, Now What?

I am a 36 y.o. F who had a second stroke (Was able to go back to work 4 mos w/first stroke in 2003.) and surgery (cavernous hemangioma at insection of right cerebellum, pons and brainstem) on 3/05 and never fully recovered (double-vision, balance issues, can't drive, etc)  I was told I'd have a 95% chance of being "normal" in 6 mo-1 yr. Obviously this hasn't happened and OT and a LOT of PT hasn't helped.
I now notice that my Int Med Dr. didn't relay an abnormal lab result to me- a high RDW (15.8), which better explains why I don't feel like I'm geeting enough oxygen,  The MCV is normal, so now should I: take supplements of iron, folic acid and B12?  Make an app twith a hematologist?  Go back to the same Int Med Dr (which I really don't want to do)?  I'm at a loss and need help!
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368646 tn?1208393887
Thank you for your response!  This also explains why my voice is higher.  I have also seen an endocrinologist and my test results were fine except for possible kidney problems (weren't told the name of the test).
I have been doing research on why red blood cells (RBC) can be abnormal and was thinking how tired I was before my stroke (probably due to anemia). As stated before, I have been taking extra folic acid, iron and B12 sublinguals.  I have read that abnormal RBCs live approx 21 days.  If there is a possible deficiency, would I see some type of result after this time?  It honestly feels as if my arm and leg isn't receiving oxygenated blood.  
Thanks again for any help!
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Avatar universal
Hi ampky,
How are you feeling?
How were you other test reports like biochemical investigations? Do you have any paralysis?
Increase in RDW is suggestive of abnormal RBC being present in your blood, which there is some poikilocytosis.
This increase in RDW is inversely proportional to lung function test. This means that more is the value of RDW less would be the lung function capacity and low value of RDW means that lung function capacity is good.
The RDW is often increased in B12 and Pernicious anemia, Folic acid anemia, Iron deficiency anemia combined with other anemia, Hemolytic anemia, Transfusions, Sideroblastic anemia, Alcohol abuse, and  Various less common and hereditary anemia’s.
You need to investigate further to come to a firm diagnosis about the cause for anaemia.
I think a consultation with hematologist at earliest is a must.
I don’t think it will help you to meet the same Int. Med doctor. There is clear cut pathology with possible symptoms being elicited.
Keep me informed about your thoughts and about your health in general.
Hope this helps.
Bye.
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