Question 1

my daughter had strep and teething, didn't eat very much last two days. she has iron blood test for wic today..should i take her still?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Her hemoglobin or hematocrit, which is what wic tests for, will not be changed by an acute illness. Now, if she is not feeling very good and you don't want to drag her out, that's another kettle of fish, but the lab results won't be any different today or next week.

Question 2

recently had a cbc, iron blood test, and metabolic panel and everything came back normal except my wbc was low, at 3.4. with everything else normal, and no prior history of illness, should i be worried about the low wbc?

Accepted Answer

No: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, some people normally have what appears to be low WBC count. If you get fever, contact your doctor.   
Wish you good health!

Question 3

female 38yr heavy periods pain,headaches symptoms of low iron , blood test under normal range for ferritin.ferrous fumarate 3 mths ,now off it 1 mth,symptoms returned .gp said no point in a ferritin blood test ,put on ferrous fumarate 3 mths.agree?

Accepted Answer

: It would be prudent to see a gynecologist to address the heavy periods. If hemoglobin is normal, intravenous iron administration may not be warranted, it should be kept as an alternative in case oral iron does not help.
For healthy diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/., exercise 30 minutes/day, drink enough water daily so your urine is mostly colorless, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol or drugs.

Question 4

will taking iron before blood test skew ferritin levels?

Accepted Answer

Probably not if pill: Oral iron tablets- generally no
iv iron- generally yes- ferritin measurements will be affected for weeks.

Question 5

can you please tell me what it means from my iron studies blood test - when my ferritin levels are low 25 (ref 30-300) and my sat is high 63 (10-45)?

Accepted Answer

Repeat the tests: Any evidence of iron deficiency is very serious especially at your age even if you're not anemic. You need to be screened for GI / GU bleeding, have your diet reviewed (if you are a vegetarian, please reconsider), and have a history. There may also be a lab error. High serum Fe / sat can happen if you take a few iron pills before seeing the doctor "for your health".

Question 6

what to do if i am scared i have leukemia- would they have seen anything scary froma simple iron/b12 blood test?

Accepted Answer

No: However, chances are you also got a CBC -- complete blood count. If this is normal, and there are no weird cells, your chances of having leukemia at your age are near zero.

Question 7

i'm scared i have leukemia- would docs see anything from a simple iron/b12 blood test?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: A more complete blood test is probably necessary including CBC with differential and morphologic assessment.  This would show if there is an increased number of white blood cells including atypical cells or circulating blasts.  Ultimately, in most cases, an accurate and complete diagnostic and prognostic workup for leukemia relies on bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Please consult your doctor.

Question 8

would having recently donated blood result in low iron on blood test about two weeks later? was also menstruating when blood was drawn for testing.

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes: Unless you donate blood regularly this would be unusual, but if you couple donating blood with significant chronic blood loss due to menstruation, then this might be the proverbial "last straw". The good news is iron is easy to replace. It's best to do that with the supervision of a doctor to avoid overload. See what your primary care doc has to say on this topic. Thank you for giving blood=life!

Question 9

is my hairloss related with my iron deficiency? blood test shows 12 units-iron deficienecy. (13-300). taking iron pills. pls help very less hair :'(.

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Your iron deficiency needs to be treated, and even more importantly its cause found. If your hair loss is due to telogen effluvium, maybe treating your iron deficiency will help. If it's from a fungus, seborrhea, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, or hypothyroidism (i hope that's been checked), it won't. If you must ask, it's time for a dermatology consultation.

Question 10

i have a lot of pain behind my left wrist.  left leg swollen below my knee.  toes and heels numb shooting pains in feet low iron in blood test?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: This is never normal.  See your doctor.  He/she will listen to you, perform an examination, and possibly order tests to find out what's wrong.

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Doctor answers about:

Iron blood test

A member asked:

My daughter had strep and teething, didn't eat very much last two days. she has iron blood test for wic today..should i take her still?

A member asked:

Recently had a cbc, iron blood test, and metabolic panel and everything came back normal except my wbc was low, at 3.4. with everything else normal, and no prior history of illness, should i be worried about the low wbc?

A member asked:

Female 38yr heavy periods pain,headaches symptoms of low iron , blood test under normal range for ferritin.ferrous fumarate 3 mths ,now off it 1 mth,symptoms returned .gp said no point in a ferritin blood test ,put on ferrous fumarate 3 mths.agree?

A member asked:

Will taking iron before blood test skew ferritin levels?

A member asked:

Can you please tell me what it means from my iron studies blood test - when my ferritin levels are low 25 (ref 30-300) and my sat is high 63 (10-45)?

A member asked:

What to do if i am scared i have leukemia- would they have seen anything scary froma simple iron/b12 blood test?

A member asked:

I'm scared i have leukemia- would docs see anything from a simple iron/b12 blood test?

A member asked:

Would having recently donated blood result in low iron on blood test about two weeks later? was also menstruating when blood was drawn for testing.

A member asked:

Is my hairloss related with my iron deficiency? blood test shows 12 units-iron deficienecy. (13-300). taking iron pills. pls help very less hair :'(.

A member asked:

I have a lot of pain behind my left wrist. left leg swollen below my knee. toes and heels numb shooting pains in feet low iron in blood test?

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