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Question about my blood work
by tiredpoet, Mar 18, 2008 02:07PM
For years I have been trying to find the reason for my worsening debilitating fatigue, muscle weakness, cognitive difficulties, burning feet, pins and needles, etc. Blood work when I first went to the doctor showed WBC 4.6, RBC 4.23 (was flagged LOW on the report), HCT 39.6, MCV 93.6, MCH 31.9 (was flagged HIGH), and platelets 194k. My B12 was not checked at that time. Thyroid test showed TSH 2.1, T4 12.5, Fti 2.6, T3u 20.5 and free thyrox .9. (I have three immediate family members with hypothyroid.)
In a person who feels well I can see how this would be reviewed as "normal" results. But considering my severe symptoms, do you think this warranted further review? Three doctors in a row did no follow up testing and deemed the cause of my symptoms as depression. I am not depressed, though I am frustrated.
I went to a psychologist and a psychiatrist, both of whom noted I do not suffer from depression (not news to me). My symptoms have worsened over the years and never gotten better. I have been trying several natural and alternative measures to get well to no avail. Recent retesting (4 years after the last tests) showed no major changes to the CBC: WBC increased from 4.6 to 5.6, RBC increased from 4.23 to 4.27 (no longer flagged low), HCT from 39.6 to 39.1, MCV from 93.6 to 91.7, MCH still flagged HIGH at 32.4, and platelet count up to 232K. Thyroid retesting was only for TSH, which is now 1.79, still in the "normal" range. Ferritin was 46, B12 is 451 (I take large doses of B12 supplements, so I expected this to be higher), and folic acid was 19.8 (I have never taken added folic acid and don't eat large amounts of fortified foods, so I'm not sure why this is so high). Regardless, again these tests appear to fall in normal limits, but my symptoms still persist, are severe and interfere with my daily life. One doctor finally said I "probably" have fibromyalgia and prescribed me Adderall to help with the fatigue, but I would like to eliminate the cause of these symptoms, not just treat one symptom. How can I get a physician to take a closer look without appearing as though I'm self-diagnosing (which I'm certainly not doing) or questioning their abilities?
In a person who feels well I can see how this would be reviewed as "normal" results. But considering my severe symptoms, do you think this warranted further review? Three doctors in a row did no follow up testing and deemed the cause of my symptoms as depression. I am not depressed, though I am frustrated.
I went to a psychologist and a psychiatrist, both of whom noted I do not suffer from depression (not news to me). My symptoms have worsened over the years and never gotten better. I have been trying several natural and alternative measures to get well to no avail. Recent retesting (4 years after the last tests) showed no major changes to the CBC: WBC increased from 4.6 to 5.6, RBC increased from 4.23 to 4.27 (no longer flagged low), HCT from 39.6 to 39.1, MCV from 93.6 to 91.7, MCH still flagged HIGH at 32.4, and platelet count up to 232K. Thyroid retesting was only for TSH, which is now 1.79, still in the "normal" range. Ferritin was 46, B12 is 451 (I take large doses of B12 supplements, so I expected this to be higher), and folic acid was 19.8 (I have never taken added folic acid and don't eat large amounts of fortified foods, so I'm not sure why this is so high). Regardless, again these tests appear to fall in normal limits, but my symptoms still persist, are severe and interfere with my daily life. One doctor finally said I "probably" have fibromyalgia and prescribed me Adderall to help with the fatigue, but I would like to eliminate the cause of these symptoms, not just treat one symptom. How can I get a physician to take a closer look without appearing as though I'm self-diagnosing (which I'm certainly not doing) or questioning their abilities?
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