Ferritin Levels (CBC test results)

[dustybrown]

I recently had a CBC blood test done. It indicated that my Ferritin levels were very low, but my iron levels were perfectly healthy. My red blood count were slightly low as well.  Can any one tell me what this might mean??? I am a bit confused and my doctor didn't explain the results to me.

[SurgiMenopause]

Did the doc also order a T.I.B.C. or total iron binding capacity?  Did he/she consider other causes for the low RBC, like a kidney problem, or just decide it was plain iron deficiency?  Ferritin are your body's iron stores.  Since they are low, he/she probably told you to start taking iron.  I hope they told you to take it with at least 250 mg of vit. C like a dr. I had did, for best absorption of the iron.  I took ester-C with mine, which easier on the stomach.  I hope they also gave you suggestions on how to combat the usual constipation that comes with taking iron & to take it with food.

[dustybrown]

No, since my iron is normal my doc never told me to take iron supplements. i already take a multivitamin with C. What is a TIBC?

[SurgiMenopause]

Sounds like your doctor dropped the ball if he/she did nothing about your low values, unless they felt the numbers were so slightly off they didn't think they needed to!

  TIBC is total iron binding capacity, the higher the number, the more your body is clinging to that iron for use.  I'm just a lay person who was once iron deficient and about 20 years ago went to nursing school, but I wonder if your body is not sufficiently utilizing the iron in your blood, since your red blood cell count and ferritin levels are low, but yet your blood iron level was in normal range.  

I recently learned due to a relative's defective kidney that you can have a problem with erythropoietin if you have a kidney problem.  It is a hormone made by the kidneys that helps to form red blood cells and many with kidney damage can tend to be anemic.

I have a very old lab book, a Manual of Laboratory Diagnostic Tests, second edition that says causes for low red blood cell count can be (doing some quoting):
1.Anemias due to:
a) Decreased red blood cell production
b) Increased red blood cell destruction
c) Blood loss
d) Dietary insufficiency of iron and certain vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folic acid, which are essential in the production of erythrocytes

2. Diseases of bone marrow function
a) Hodgkin's disease
b) Multiple myeloma
c) Leukemia

3. Hemolytic and pernicious anemia

4. Lupus erythematosus

5. Addison's disease

6. Rheumatic fever

7. Subacute endocarditis

Interfering factors that can make the red blood cell count lower than normal can include
Posture, if you are in a recumbant position, the count is lower than normal,
Pregnancy, when the body fluid increases and the normal number of erythrocytes becomes more diluted
Many drugs can cause reduced RBCs (check with your pharmacist)