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Doctor insights on: Low Mcv Normal Hemoglobin

Thal minor?: Ask your doctor

Probably not: Based on those lab values, I would not worry about thalassemia. Your MCV seems too high to have thalassemia.

No: I will not worry

Suspect thal minor: No lab value means anything apart from a human being, and labs are numbers that may be far removed from the reference range, or just at the edges. I strongly suggest you do not self-diagnose but instead use the internet to become literate about health and the diagnostic process so you can be a partner with your physician.

Anemia: Anemia is defined by a hemoglobin or hematocrit below "normal" Normal is specific to age and sex. Borderline low is still normal. High MCV could indicate folate (folic acid) or B12 deficiency, but this is not supported by low MCHC which might be seen with iron deficiency (which would actually cause the MCV to be low). All in all this then appears to be a normal variant - consider repeating in a few months.

More info needed: Thalassemia can be associated with decreased iron, but thalassemia itself does not cause low iron. Decreased iron is more likely due to nutritional deficiency of iron or to blood loss, as in menstruating patients.

Need CBC number: Low MCV (

Iron deficient: Work with your physician to identify the cause

How low?: Reference ranges are set so that several percent of healthy folks fall outside on either end. If your peripheral smear is unremarkable and the MCV above 70, I'd forget the whole thing. My RDW is always high from donating blood. There are some variants of thalassemia minor that will produce this and puzzle people over a lifetime, though MCH is usually lowish.

Need more info: Do you have a chronic illness? 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, the limited data you provided suggests anemia of chronic illness. It would be prudent to consult the doctor who ordered the tests. For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. Practice safe sex, if you have sex. Get HPV vaccine.

IDA: Looks like iron deficiency anemia. In a 33 yo female that would very likely be due to menstruation or recent pregnancy.

Iron deficiency: This combination suggests iron deficiency anemia. Your evaluation will look into this option as well as some other causes of these small red cells with anemia.

Not an issue: The rdw, mch and mchc are only helpful in evaluating patients with anemia. ron would be unexpected to alter these numbers.

Iron deficiency: Looks like iron deficiency anemia. You could take iron supplements (along with a stool softener since iron can cause constipation), and increase iron in your diet (red meat, egg yolks, red beans, etc).

Anemia: Your results indicate anemia. The cause requires identification. Strong possibilities from high retic count include blood cell hemolysis (breakdown) or blood loss from your body. Needs more attention as soon as possible.

Other causes: There are other causes for anemia, and you should return to your doctor to discuss this. You will need more testing. Good luck.

Need data: 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 would have helped to have the actual data, rather than your interpretation of "tad low".
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form.
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Need more tests,,,: This is hard to determine as this is the case of a child. Other tests like a peripheral blood smear might help to find the cause. It would be best to see the doctor, preferably a pediatrician, for more tests and an exam. Best of luck.

You probably: Have iron deficiency anemia. Common causes are blood loss, lack iron on diet, pregnancy, inability to absorb iron due for example celiac disease. In your case blood loss due to possibly heavy period. I imaging endoscopy study negative. Treatment iron supplement. Iron studies also indicated if in doubt. All above can give you tachycardia and fatigue. But thyroid test indicated.