Question 1

what does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Low iron thalassemia: Small red blood cells, as determined by the MCV is most common in either iron deficiency or thalassemia. Rarer causes include sideroblastic anemia, lead toxicity, chronic inflammatory anemia, or renal/hepatic malignancies.

Question 2

my gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure  diagnose?

Accepted Answer

Ask why: Small red cells usually means either iron deficiency or thalassemia minor. A diagnosis of iron deficiency should be confirmed with a few additional lab tests. Iron won't help thal minor and will tend to make you sick. Colonoscopy is a search for a bleeding cancer that might be the cause of your iron deficiency. Best wishes.

Question 3

small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

Accepted Answer

Systemic disease: This cannot be diagnosed over the internet. It sounds as if you are in the process of having an extensive evaluation and would continue with this.  It requires a stepwise analysis of each and every finding to finally arrive at a specific explanation for the problems.  This could be a primary blood disorder or an infection or both.  Good luck and best wishes.

Question 4

what causes red blood cells to be small and abnormal?

Accepted Answer

Lack of iron: Iron deficiency is commonest cause of small red cells. Visit this site for more info: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007305.htm

Question 5

when waking up. blood work comes back with slight elevation of red blood cells. no other symptoms. what is your diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Probably not problem: If no other abnormality may not be significant.

Question 6

i just had a bunch of blood work and he said my red blood cells are small but he didnt really explain what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Nothing by itself: Ask your physician to explain at your next opportunity. Are you iron deficient? Do you have thalassemia minor?

Question 7

3 full blood counts over space of a year . all normal results but always show a very small number of nucleated red blood cells ( under 0.03) should i be concerned ? read online they shouldnt be in adult blood ? blood count level 129?

Accepted Answer

: 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, the finding of nucleated red cells is not a cause for concern.     Wish you good health!

Question 8

on my blood test is says nucleated red blood cells minus 0.03 . i have been told even small amounts shouldnt be there but its come up on three consecutive tests ? doc not mentioned anything ?

Accepted Answer

: When you are concerned about something it is important to ask you doctor who has all the information to give you the best answer. Nucleated red blood cells is not something to panic about but I do not see all of the information, it just means immature red blood cells getting out of the bone marrow faster.

Question 9

i had a blood work up recently and found that i am very anemic and that i have both small and large red blood cells, what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Poor nutrition: 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. Having said that, it appears that you may be deficient in iron, folic acid and/or B12. It would be prudent to consult your doctor for the proper treatment. In the meantime you could start taking oral iron supplements and multivitamin with B12.

Question 10

hello! i've recently had a blood test done and got told while i'm not anemic i have too many red blood cells and their small. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Thal minor, I bet: This is quite common and is usually caused by beta-thalassemia minor. Any competent general physician can do the workup to confirm it. If you do have thal minor, and you marry someone else who has it, the double-dose can cause you to have a child with thal major, which is horrible. Otherwise, it's a total non-problem. Best wshes.

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Doctor answers about:

Small red blood cells symptoms

A member asked:

What does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

A member asked:

My gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure diagnose?

A member asked:

Small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

A member asked:

What causes red blood cells to be small and abnormal?

A member asked:

When waking up. blood work comes back with slight elevation of red blood cells. no other symptoms. what is your diagnosis?

A member asked:

I just had a bunch of blood work and he said my red blood cells are small but he didnt really explain what does this mean?

A member asked:

3 full blood counts over space of a year . all normal results but always show a very small number of nucleated red blood cells ( under 0.03) should i be concerned ? read online they shouldnt be in adult blood ? blood count level 129?

A member asked:

On my blood test is says nucleated red blood cells minus 0.03 . i have been told even small amounts shouldnt be there but its come up on three consecutive tests ? doc not mentioned anything ?

A member asked:

I had a blood work up recently and found that i am very anemic and that i have both small and large red blood cells, what does this mean?

A member asked:

Hello! i've recently had a blood test done and got told while i'm not anemic i have too many red blood cells and their small. what does this mean?

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