Mcv mch blood

Hi doctors,
I received blood test results and wondering what type of anemia this could be? Or if its worse (leukaemia cancer etc)
Im a male 20s, I’ve had chronic fatigue for a few years, iron supplements haven’t helped.
Hematology:
Low MCV Low MCH Low MCHC High RDW High Lymphocytes
Morphology:
RBC: mild microcytosis and hypochromia. Few ovalocytes/ellipotcytes
WBC: Lymphocytosis
Everything else looks in range
Thank you

I'm trying to understand the results of my cats first blood test indicating CKD. I've just seen proteinuria should be checked for before deciding on treatment and I can't tell if that was checked for in the test. Is anyone able to let me know please?
Or any other advice for going forward.
Her results are:
urinalysis results: Laboratory: Type: Test: Results: Leuk- 3+ Nitrate- 5 Protein- 1+ Glucose- norm Ketones- neg Urobilinogen- norm Biliruben- neg Blood- 4+ SG- 1.018 Gross appearance - pale yellow, floating debris - appears to be fabric/lint Sediment: Wet prep - no crystals, no cells, lots of debris Stained slide - no bacteria, no blood cells.
Her bloods: Glucose a 1.9 3.2 - 7.5 mmol/L L IDEXX SDMA b 18 0 - 14 µg/dL H Creatinine 220 80 - 200 µmol/L H Urea 16.8 5.0 - 15.0 mmol/L H Phosphorus 1.8 1.0 - 2.3 mmol/L Calcium 2.7 2.1 - 2.8 mmol/L Sodium 156 144 - 158 mmol/L Potassium 5.2 3.7 - 5.4 mmol/L Calcium: Phosphorus Ratio 1.5 1.1 - 2.3 Na: K Ratio 30.0 29.0 - 40.0 Chloride 119 106 - 123 mmol/L Bicarbonate 14 12 - 24 mmol/L Anion Gap 28.2 15.0 - 31.0 mmol/L Total Protein 76 60 - 84 g/L Albumin 35 25 - 38 g/L Globulin 41 31 - 52 g/L Albumin: Globulin Ratio 0.9 0.5 - 1.1 ALT 88 19 - 100 U/L AST 60 2 - 62 U/L ALP 28 5 - 50 U/L GGT 0 0 - 5 U/L Bilirubin - Total 1 0 - 7 µmol/L Cholesterol 7.1 2.2 - 5.5 mmol/L H Creatine Kinase 468 64 - 400 U/L H Haemolysis Moderate haemolysis Index c Lipaemia Index Nil lipaemia
RBC 9.9 4.9 - 10.0 x10^12/L Haematocrit 0.46 0.25 - 0.48 L/L Haemoglobin 130 77 - 156 g/L MCV 46 43 - 55 fL MCH 13 13 - 17 pg MCHC 283 282 - 333 g/L % Reticulocytes 0.1 0.0 - 0.4 % Reticulocytes 10 3 - 50 K/µL Reticulocyte Haemoglobin 13.7 13.2 - 20.8 pg WBC 8.2 5.5 - 19.0 x10^9/L % Neutrophils 59.7 % % Lymphocytes 31.1 % % Monocytes 4.1 % % Eosinophils 5.0 % % Basophils 0.1 % Neutrophils 4.9 2.0 - 13.0 x10^9/L Lymphocytes 2.6 0.9 - 7.0 x10^9/L Monocytes 0.3 0.0 - 0.6 x10^9/L Eosinophils 0.4 0.0 - 1.0 x10^9/L Basophils 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 x10^9/L Platelets 302 300 - 800 x10^9/L
The lab notes on the blood results said the the haemolysis that happened during the collection might have affected the results of several of the key categories so does that mean I should wait for the second blood test to consider her to have CDK? (She's over twelve and 2.5 kg and I'm worried about starting her on prescription renal food too soon if it may effect her negatively rather than benefit).The vet said her blood glucose results can be dismissed as it was due to too little blood being in the vial during the test but one of her main symptoms is peeing on the floor lately so should I still be worried about diabetes being a possibility and have that retested or would the urinalysis still have caught that?
We'll be redoing some of the tests next week and attempting a blood pressure test which they could not do last time because she was too stressed. Should I be asking for further diagnosis such as imaging to try and find any underlying cause that may be treatable?
(Also, could her having been on kitten food which I didn't realise was higher phosphorous and Urinary Care dry food have caused the diluted urine and higher BUN?)

Just got my test results so I haven’t spoken to my doctor yet. Hemoglobin was 11.2. Low Mcv and low mch, and high rdw. Ferritin is 5 and iron saturation is 6%. I’m 49/F with heavy periods. Been vegetarian since 16, but never anemic, not even during both pregnancies. Do these numbers qualify for IDA? Obviously I’ll be talking to my doctor, but just like to hear input. I feel awful all the time!! Not sure if that’s normal for these numbers?

so, basically i have suddenly low MCV and MCH. 77.5 and 26.5, respectively. the rest of the cbc was normal, and my doctor also tested my iron stores and they were all normal too. it wasn't always like this, just within the past month. is there any supplements or something that people would suggest taking? or should i go see a hematologist? thank you in advance.

Hi all,
I had a blood test last year that showed the following results-
RBC - 5.27x10³ - high Hb- 12.7 - normal HCT- 41.7 - normal MCV- 79.1 - low MCH- 24 - low MCHC- 30.1 - low PLT - 325 - normal MPV - 10 - normal RDW - 15.3 - high
I was told I may have an iron deficiency and that I should just eat more iron rich food or iron supplements if I’m a vegetarian. I’m a vegetarian so I took iron pills consistently for 3 months and I just had the following test results-
RBC - 5.20x10³ - normal Hb- 13.8 - normal HCT- 42.4 - normal MCV - 81.5 - still low MCH- 26.4 - still low MCHC- 32.1 - normal PLT - 341 - normal (almost high?) MPV - 10.6 - normal RDW - 14.1 - normal
I have my follow up next week so I can ask my doctor then but I just wanted to ask what this possibly means? I know the iron made a difference but do I need more time on them? I kind of hate that because they cause me to have stomach issues which were never an issue before.
Thanks in advance for any insight!

F20 58kg 172cm
Medications: Sertraline, Ivabradine, Folic Acid Diagnosis’s: POTS, OCD, ?ADHD
I’m posting on here for some help and advice with results from my blood tests. I’ve had at least 10 blood tests and never really had answers for these few abnormal ones. My symptoms are tiredness/fatigue, tachycardia, hypotension, blood pooling (I know these are POTS symptoms but recently they have gotten worse, my heart rate goes up to 190 now which it never used too go higher than 170/180). Looking at my history these have always been abnormal and it’s nothing new BUT has gradually worsened.
Total white cell count: 3.5 10*9/L Normal range: 3.7 to 11.0
Red blood cell (RBC) Count: 3.54 10*12/L Normal range: 3.80 to 5.80
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 111.3 fL Normal range: 76.0 to 100.0
Mean corpusc. haemoglobin(MCH): 35.3 pg Normal range: 27.0 to 32.0
Mean corpusc. Hb. conc. (MCHC): 317 g/L Normal range: 320 to 365
Serum folate: Normal range: Above 4.1
13 March 2024 3.5 ug/L 10 November 2023 2.9 ug/L 17 April 2023 2.3 ug/L 28 January 2022 4.6 ug/L 27 July 2021 8.1 ug/L
Serum total bilirubin level: Normal range: 1 to 21
13 March 2024 25 umol/L 17 April 2023 31 umoll
When I ask about my results my GP just tells me that my folate levels are low and i’m on my 3rd 3 month course of folic acid. Does anyone know what the cause for these results may be or how I can fix it? I’m trying to lose weight.

Do any of you struggle with this? No matter how many hours a night I sleep, whether it's 4, 8, or 12, I'm still just as sleepy. I have a lot of trouble falling asleep if it's at a normal time (go to bed at 11 and can't actually sleep until 3-4), but usually I can conk out for 12+ hours if I fall asleep right after dinner (8-9). My only class atm is from 12:45 to 3:45, so I usually sleep until noon. I always sleep through my alarms, even if they're at the max volume, so my mom has to shake me awake. If she doesn't, I can easily sleep until 2-3pm. I thought it might be an oversleeping issue, but there have been periods of me sleeping 8 hours a day for months and feeling exactly the same, so I don't think that's it. Currently I'm off all psychiatric medications, so I'm only taking 75mg spironolactone for hormonal acne and 20mg cetirizine for allergies. I'm 17 years old. I've got quite the medical history but I didn't see everything as being relevant to this issue. If necessary, I can provide more information on general health history in the replies.
Over the last 6 years I've had numerous repeat blood tests done, and everything is pretty normal. Compiled from all the data:
-Trends low: MCV, MCH, MCHC, IgA serum
-Trends high: Monocytes, RDW, prothrombin time
While these have all been out of range multiple times, my doctor says they're not out of range enough to be anything to worry about. Everything else checked in CBC and CMP tests have been normal. My vitamins are all normal. I doubt I have any thyroid dysfunction given my TSH is always normal and free T4 has only been tested one time. It was slightly out of range (low), but again, my doctor wasn't concerned.
I only go to school for 3 hours, I barely study/have any homework to do, and I don't work, but I still feel like I've just run a 10k after a 10-hour shift every single day. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't have enough energy to do anything. I wake up, take a quick shower, go to school, either play video games or nap until dinner, and then I go back to sleep. I've been told I just need to exercise more, but I can't really exercise because my heart rate gets dangerously high. My rhr is about 70-80bpm. When I stand, it goes to 120, when I do a casual walk, it's up at 150-160, when I'm walking briskly, it gets to 180, and if I even try to jog for a moment it's at 200-210. This is another thing my doctor didn't think was an issue and she told me to "exercise more." I have an MRI coming up to check for endometriosis (no fibroids or cysts so MRI is the next step), and a colonoscopy for Crohn's (was supposed to get that one done 4 years ago but I was afraid the prep would make me vomit and didn't do it), but nothing is concrete yet. I'm wiped out and honestly ready to give up lol, all my tests are normal yet I've never felt less normal. Any info/advice/etc is very appreciated. Thank you
Edit: Just realized I forgot to add information about overall sleep quality. I can't really breathe through my nose due to constant nasal inflammation (this is gross but when I look up my nose the walls are so inflamed they're pressed together and no air can get through), so I end up drooling and probably mouth-breathing. I don't snore, though. Once again, another thing my doctor doesn't see as an issue

I recently received the results of some new blood work from my doctor, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the information. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see my doctor for a few weeks, so I'm turning to this community for some guidance.
Here's a bit of background: Following COVID-19 in 2020, I've been dealing with several health issues, including subclinical hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance, and PCOS with high testosterone levels. I've been experiencing constant symptoms like hair thinning, goiter, weight gain, hirsutism, rashes, flushing, and frequent illness. To manage these conditions, I've been prescribed Contrave and self treat with supplements like myo-inositol, spearmint tea, berberine, and a multi-vitamin. I see an endocrinologist who is reluctant to medicate and a holistic doctor who cannot prescribe.
Now, onto the recent blood test results. While my thyroid levels are finally optimal, there are several markers that are elevated and out of range, leaving me concerned:
WBC, Hematocrit, MCV, Platelets, Neutrophils Abs, Lymphs Abs, Monocytes Abs, EOS Abs, Immature Granulocytes (0%), Immature Grans Abs (0%), EGFR, Chloride
As usual, my insulin, glucose, and A1C levels are also elevated, along with my testosterone levels.
I'm reaching out to see if anyone here can offer some insight into what these results might indicate.
Or even just an idea of my doctor was looking for with these new tests.
I'd appreciate any advice or guidance you can provide. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

20, AFAB, i’m on 150 mg of venlafaxine and i am diagnosed with pots. 5’2 and around 125 pounds.
so, basically i have suddenly low MCV and MCH. 77.5 and 26.5, respectively. the rest of the cbc was normal, and my doctor also tested my iron stores and they were all normal too. it wasn’t always like this, just within the past month. is there any supplements or something that people would suggest taking? or should i go see a hematologist? thank you in advance.

25M
I recently have found out I have thalassemia a minor. I am for the most part asymptomatic apart from anxiety. I wanted to know how I should go about life knowing this and how others have dealt with it. Or am I overthinking it? I have low MCV and MCH and an RBC of 6.5. would exercise help? I haven't seen many people post here with thal a minor so I would like to hear your experience.

Hi everyone,
I am a 41M who is Caucasian, 6'3, 231 pounds as of this morning.
Over the past couple of months, I have been working hard to improve my health, on the advice of my doctor. All of this started when I mentioned to him that I had been experiencing some mild ED symptoms since entering my early 40s. Instead of immediately prescribing me ED pills, my doctor warned me that those symptoms can sometimes be a first warning sign of something more sinister, like cardiovascular issues. He ordered some blood work and encouraged me to read Peter Attia's book "Outlive" which I bought the next day and read over the span of two weeks.
Following that appointment, I also immediately started exercising (aiming for Zone 2 based on the book), changed my diet to eat cleaner, practiced time-restricted eating (18 hours of fasting on all but two days for the past month), and have only had alcohol on a single occasion (though I was always a very infrequent drinker and don't smoke).
My biggest issue is likely my weight, which was 244 pounds when I made the initial doctor's appointment. Since making lifestyle changes, I am now down to 231 pounds as of this morning... and I'm not stopping here. I am aiming to get down to the 200-210 range.
Recently, I had some follow-up blood work done, and it did show that my LDL and HDL levels were abnormal. I was hoping that some of you might be able to look at the results (below) and let me know whether these results are quite concerning, or whether they are relatively close to the normal range and could be corrected if I stay the course with my lifestyle changes.
For what it's worth, my doctor told me to book a follow-up appointment in about a month and said that we would do further blood work and testing then. He did mention in his notes that he thinks it could be some kind of disorder of lipid metabolism, which has me concerned.
He also asked me about my low MCV and MCH levels last month and this month, including whether I knew if I was anemic (news to me!) and if I had a family history of complex dyslipidemia (which, to my knowledge, I do not).
The only existing medical condition I have is gout, which I treat using allopurinol (one 300mg tablet a day). I haven't had a gout attack in over a year, thanks to the medication, and my urate is generally in normal range now.
In June 2023, I also had an issue where I had to unexpectedly have my gallbladder removed, due to small gallstones that had escaped and got into my pancreas, irritating it and causing pancreatitis. As far as I know, I have recovered fully from that surgery and my blood work / liver enzymes all returned to normal levels.
The only lasting side effect after having my gall bladder out is that I now get diarrhea from certain foods and yellowish loose stools, which I think is from "dumping." I notice this happens most often on days when I have coffee from my French Press, and I wonder if somehow I am now sensitive to the coffee grounds.
Sorry if this is information overload, but I want to provide as much detail as possible. I will also attach some images of my latest blood work results. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide about how concerning these results are and what issues I should consider looking into. I would also be open to any other over-arching advice on how to improve my health and my life - including other book or podcast suggestions.
I appreciate this subreddit very much!

Hematology results for May: https://imgur.com/AaCSbfA
Lipid results for May: https://imgur.com/vJH5Yy8

My history with iron levels is a bit of a long one - I was quite underweight from about age 13-age 27, and along with complaining of chronic fatigue and exercise intolerance, the most often suggested culprit was anemia. Suffice it to say, it's a body type that runs in my family, and there were no blood markers to suggest anemia at the time. I'm now 36 and still trying to solve some of my ongoing health issues. I've been getting CBCs fairly consistently the past few years; they were a requirement for health insurance with one company I was at. No flags were raised until I had a sleep study done and the practitioner who reviewed my file noted that I moved a lot (I also didn't get into REM sleep the entire night, but that's another thing entirely). My iron was on the borderline of low, so she instructed me to take iron supplements for the next 3 months and follow up.
Lo and behold, when I had my blood retested, my levels had not changed. I discontinued the supplements. When I have been tested since, my MCH and MCHC have continued to test on the low end of normal or slightly below normal, in the 25.5 range and 31.4 range respectively. However, the most recent test revealed that they have slipped lower, to 25 and 30.6. My RDW is normal at 14 and my MCV is normal, if a bit low, at 81.6. I'm wondering if I should ask my GP for further testing when I see her next, or if because my values have largely remained the same, if slightly off, for so long, they're probably just representative of my normal. I doubt that anemia would account for my issues, which I suspect are a combination of several complex comorbidities related to hypermobility.
Thanks in advance for any input!

I'm 28F, only taking antidepressants and iron supplements for anemia.
So I received my blood test results and have my pre-scheduled follow up appointment tomorrow but I wanted to see if I could get some insight here?
white blood cell count is low (3.3), as is neutrophils (1228), hemoglobin, hematocrit, mch, and mchc. There's also trace leukocyte esterase in urine.
I am a bit freaked out because my cousin was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and is going through chemotherapy now, so of course my mind is going 0-100 in what the results could be indicating. Iron levels were normal, which was a surprise cuz I've been easily fatigued that I thought would be related to the anemia.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

In trying to wrap my head around the results of the blood and urine test of my 12+ year old cat. The vet has said she's CKD stage two and should now go on a strict renal diet. I don't know how well she's going to go with that and also she's tiny (2.5kg) so I'm quiet worried about the protein restriction that's going to bring.
I'm trying to learn about it as fast as I can and in reading I saw that sometimes it's not enough that creatine levels are high and that the first urine test can be non conclusive for a full diagnosis. My vets been so helpful talking me through the results but I've already bombarded her with questions so was hoping people here could help me.
Her urinalysis results: Laboratory: Type: Test: Results: Leuk- 3+ Nitrate- 5 Protein- 1+ Glucose- norm Ketones- neg Urobilinogen- norm Biliruben- neg Blood- 4+ SG- 1.018 Gross appearance - pale yellow, floating debris - appears to be fabric/lint Sediment: Wet prep - no crystals, no cells, lots of debris Stained slide - no bacteria, no blood cells.
Her bloods: Glucose a 1.9 3.2 - 7.5 mmol/L L IDEXX SDMA b 18 0 - 14 µg/dL H Creatinine 220 80 - 200 µmol/L H Urea 16.8 5.0 - 15.0 mmol/L H Phosphorus 1.8 1.0 - 2.3 mmol/L Calcium 2.7 2.1 - 2.8 mmol/L Sodium 156 144 - 158 mmol/L Potassium 5.2 3.7 - 5.4 mmol/L Calcium: Phosphorus Ratio 1.5 1.1 - 2.3 Na: K Ratio 30.0 29.0 - 40.0 Chloride 119 106 - 123 mmol/L Bicarbonate 14 12 - 24 mmol/L Anion Gap 28.2 15.0 - 31.0 mmol/L Total Protein 76 60 - 84 g/L Albumin 35 25 - 38 g/L Globulin 41 31 - 52 g/L Albumin: Globulin Ratio 0.9 0.5 - 1.1 ALT 88 19 - 100 U/L AST 60 2 - 62 U/L ALP 28 5 - 50 U/L GGT 0 0 - 5 U/L Bilirubin - Total 1 0 - 7 µmol/L Cholesterol 7.1 2.2 - 5.5 mmol/L H Creatine Kinase 468 64 - 400 U/L H Haemolysis Moderate haemolysis Index c Lipaemia Index Nil lipaemia
RBC 9.9 4.9 - 10.0 x10^12/L Haematocrit 0.46 0.25 - 0.48 L/L Haemoglobin 130 77 - 156 g/L MCV 46 43 - 55 fL MCH 13 13 - 17 pg MCHC 283 282 - 333 g/L % Reticulocytes 0.1 0.0 - 0.4 % Reticulocytes 10 3 - 50 K/µL Reticulocyte Haemoglobin 13.7 13.2 - 20.8 pg WBC 8.2 5.5 - 19.0 x10^9/L % Neutrophils 59.7 % % Lymphocytes 31.1 % % Monocytes 4.1 % % Eosinophils 5.0 % % Basophils 0.1 % Neutrophils 4.9 2.0 - 13.0 x10^9/L Lymphocytes 2.6 0.9 - 7.0 x10^9/L Monocytes 0.3 0.0 - 0.6 x10^9/L Eosinophils 0.4 0.0 - 1.0 x10^9/L Basophils 0.0 0.0 - 0.1 x10^9/L Platelets 302 300 - 800 x10^9/L
(The vet said her glucose results can be dismissed as it was due to too little blood being in the vial during the test.)
Can someone tell me also how to simplify the values when I'm describing it in future for Reddit questions. What would I say her uspg number is, her creatine, SDMA and BUN is described in the way people here are using please?
I've got other questions I'd like to ask about her treatment plan, such as if there are things to try before going fully in to the science diets because I know how much that is going to change her life upside down and I'm a bit worried about some of the things I've read about using them when in the early stages due to the possible reduction in protein doing damage to the kidneys. If it seems safe I'd would like more time if possible to try her on other things first to see if her levels can at all be brought down. (Without wasting any time if there seems no time to spare. Whatever is best for her to help her as much as possible).
I'm also a bit confused about the food plan as from what I'm reading it's to reduce her protein and phosphorous which don't seem to be at elevated levels right now?

So I am a type 1 diabetic recently diagnosed Celiac. About 6 months ago I discovered a few lumps in my neck which I thought were swollen tonsils or swollen lymph nodes. I gave them some time to come down but in the mean while I have experiencing drenching nightsweats, muscle/bone pain, intense fatigue like i am iron deficient (as I have been before) but my iron levels are perfect, hair loss, itchy head, and a rash that appears randomly on my chest and neck. i had had my neck ultrasound which doctors have said was fine. I have also recently had a CT scan of my chest as I was in hospital for chest pains (outcome was inflammation around the heart), which had been clear. I have had countless bloods done for autoimmune disorders and infections which doctors have said all normal. These symptoms are still occurring every day and night for the past 4-6 months and i feel like i still have swollen lymph nodes in my neck. I have had a look at my results and have taken note of the numbers out of range if anyone can understand this.
Leucocytes tested in urine: 41 H (reference interval is <10) Urate: 0.13 L Ferritin: 201 H (reference interval 15-200) MCV: 79L (reference interval 80-100) CRP: 9.4 H (reference interval 0.0-5.0)
Would anyone possibly know what might going on and what I should get tested for?

Manual differential from mom
36 male 200 white
Manual differential values mom is 56
She was recently in hospital for pneumonia, was there for 5 days, very bad community with doctor, he said he had it then said she never had it and discharged her once she was stable. She went back to hospital and they looked a little deeper and said she still has pneumonia but didn’t want to go much into detail about the blood values. It's the first time they do the manual differential. Any insight would be appreciated
WBC 12.6 HIGH RBC 5.20 HIGH Hemoglobin 16 HIGH Hematocrit 46 HIGH MCV 88.3 MCH 30.2 MCHC 34.2 RDW-CV 13.5 Platelet count 347 MPV 9.8
Neutrophils % 69 HIGH
Lymphocytes % manual 16 LOW
Monocytes % manual 2 Normal
Eosinophils% manual 2 NORMAL
Basophils% manual 1 NORMAL
Myelocytes % manual 1 HIGH
Promyelocytes% manual 0 normal
Atypical Lymphs % Manual 8 HIGH
Segs # manual 8.7 HIGH
Lymphocytes # manual 2.0 NORMAL
Monocytes # manual 0.3 NORMAL
Eosinophils# manual 0.3 NORMAL
Basophils# manual 0.1 NORMAL
Atypical Lymphs # manual 1.0 HIGH
RBC morphology ABNORMAL
Microcytes +1 ABNORMAL
Smudge Cells present ABNORMAL
Platelet Estimate Adequate
Giant PLTs present ABNORMAL

Hello, all! I am a 22 year old female and I recently had lab work done that my PCP is disregarding since most values are barely WNL.
Helpful info: •I supplement with 100% iron daily •Take Luvox 150mg •IUD, so no menses •S/S: SOB, greying hair, fatigue
Labs: •Iron: 32 (27-159) WNL •Vit D: 31.1 (30-100) WNL •Ferritin: 15 (15-150) WNL •Hemoglobin: 11.9 (11.1-15.9) WNL •Hematocrit: 38.9% (34-46.6) WNL •MCH: 25.5 (26.6-33) Low •MCHC: 30.6 (31.5-35.7) Low •Blood smear shows hypochromasia and mild lymphocytosis.
PCP has ordered B12, CBC w Diff, reticulocytes, and TIBC to be done this week.
What is going on? Do I need an iron transfusion?

Hello Reddit,
Anyone give me some insight on these results for a 2.5 year old girl? She has been fatigued a few weeks which prompted blood test. Doc usually takes a few days to get back to me so just seeing if anyone is more familiar with a cbc.

I am sharing this just so I can get it off my chest because I’m very frustrated and hope I’m not alone in dealing with this issue.
For almost a year I have been dealing with health issues. I get sick with infections a lot, and I got shingles and ever since I have just been having issue after issue. I’m 35 so I don’t know why I got shingles. Right after shingles I got covid, then started having nerve pain in my neck and face. Recently it has gotten worse and now I’m having bone and joint pain. I have gastrointestinal issues, I’m bruising easily have red dots on my skin like burst blood vessels, get migraines and feel depleted of energy. Some of these are new symptoms. I’ve been dealing with this since last August. This whole time my doctor hasn’t felt the need to figure it out and doesn’t take me seriously.
I had blood work done this week and it showed some high blood counts and my doctor said your b-12 is normal but on the lower normal so maybe just take some b12 that might be why your MCH, MCV, and A/G were high. I’m just like so all these health issues are just not caused by anything? I just have to live like this?
I made an appointment with a different doctor because I just don’t think my current one cares, or thinks I’m making it up. It’s just so frustrating to have to pay out of pocket and receive crappy care like this.
At one point last year she had me on preventives for migraines that did not work and actually gave me stroke like symptoms and even then she said I don’t know why you have this. It took a friend of mine who is a PA 10 minutes to figure out it was most likely my meds. Been off of them and those symptoms went away.
Anyway healthcare in America is such bullshit and I’m tired of spending money and getting no answers and being treated like I’m making it up.

I know that I’m lucky to have survived my first covid infection that lasted 21 days despite taking two rounds of Paxlovid. I also feel lucky I was able to stay on one of the antidepressants I had already been taking. But I’m not sure if I can keep up with even a low activity life. I could use some encouragement. I’ve taken so much in my own hands and wonder when is the point at which someone in the medical profession helps or even anyone in society? No one in my family believes me so I don’t even bother asking for help.
When I got infected, I had already been diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis for which I take an immunosuppressant and mental illness for which I took both an SSRI and strattera. Because I was immunosuppressed, I was isolated socially during the pandemic but doing okay. The strattera was used to help my attention issues. After my infection, I started Paxlovid and discontinued strattera to protect my heart.
after I finally tested negative, I started getting abnormal heart rate alerts while at rest from my watch. I had chest pain. Although I had previously been a distance runner, I would end up in bed for days after even brief exercise. Needless to say, I wasn’t able to restart strattera. My HRV was shot.
I am allergic to NSAIDs so my main way of managing arthritis pain was increasing my pain tolerance through distance running. But I’m no longer able to run. I have trouble walking. My rheumatologist said I can only have prednisone if my knees swell to the size of grapefruits.
Separate from the fatigue and heart issues, I have brain fog. It’s much worse than my attention issues before covid. I’m sensitive to every day stimuli, have word finding and memory issues, and sometimes feel mentally exhausted. My doctors have not done the paperwork that can help me get accommodations at work and I’m getting tired of searching for doctors.
What I’ve done so far: - I had been having what seemed like allergic reactions to nothing. I eventually started taking Xyzal and quercetin. I had read about those on the internet. I also take vitamin D and turmeric.

• Noticing that my hemoglobin MCHC and MCH were low and my RDW was in range but at the top of the range, I convinced a NP to order vitamin D, iron, ferritin, and TIBC. I found my iron was okay but ferritin and iron sat were low and TIBC on the high side of normal. The NP and my psychiatrist did not think these would be sufficient to account for my complaints but I thought why not knock out some low hanging fruit? And at least later no one could attribute my dysautonomia to being anemic.
  
• I have been having GI issues and can’t stand the iron pills. But I feel I have no choice.
  
• I stopped eating aged cheese. This was the only food trigger I found.
  
• I eat more salt.
  
• I thought inflammation in my brain might be making matters worse. I tried an induction course of ketamine as a sort of Hail Mary. It did help but it’s very expensive. My Gad-7 and PHQ-9 are no longer showing more than mild anxiety and depression but my brain fog and fatigue remain despite not being moody. And who wouldn’t be moody if they could no longer work, run, cook, think, stand up for a shower, or speak as they had previously done?
  

I couldn’t find anyone who would write for LDN so I tried getting it online. My appointments is at the end of June. I don’t know if I can make it that long.
I am so tired. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. I shouldn’t have to review my own labs and beg the medical field to do even simple blood tests that would explain fatigue. Vitamin D, iron tests, ANA…this would take the person almost no time to order. Sure, the forms that would allow me to get accommodations at work are much more involved.