Do You See Any Other Concerns With My Blood Results?

Posted on Fri, 7 Feb 2025

Question: Dr -- I want to ask you a question concerning my recent blood results.

1. Red Blood Cell Count: 6.15, reference range is 4.20-5.80 Million/uL, above high normal
2. Hematocrit: 50.9, reference range is 38.5-50.0%, above high normal
3. MCH: 26.8, reference range is 27.0-33.0 pg, below low normal

All my other indicators are within normal range. In the past I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. I do not use a CPAP machine when I sleep. My doctor has recommended that I take an iron supplement daily. Do you see any other concerns with my blood results?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The blood report does not suggest iron deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The blood parameters posted by you do not suggest iron deficiency.
I suggest you to get iron studies which includes serum iron, TIBC,% saturation and ferritin levels.
The parameters posted by you are slightly elevated.
It would be more informative if you could post the complete blood count report.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (5 hours later)

Dr - Thank you for your response. I have attached my lab results. They consist of four pages. Please let me know if you received them. I look forward to your response. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
All the parameters mentioned in report are within normal range

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
I have gone through your entire report.
The report shows normal lipid profile, liver function tests, normal kidney functions and normal glycosylated Hb.
Only the blood parameters mentioned by you previously are raised.
Iron deficiency is unlikely with this kind of blood parameters.
Thus, I suggest you to get iron profile before starting iron supplements.

Thanks and take care
Dr shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (27 hours later)

Dr -- Thank you for the response

1. Do you see any concerns with the blood parameters that are elevated? They have been elevated for several years. It may have some connection with the sleep apnea. Can this become something serious in the long run?

2. Finally, I'm not sure why my doctor suggested iron supplements. I will speak with him. Can you think of any reason why he made the iron recommendation?

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sleep apnea can be the cause of low oxygen and thus high RBC count

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again.
High red blood cell (RBC) count, high hemoglobin and high hematocrit can be due to sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is characterized by difficulty in breathing and thus low oxygen supply to tissues.
In order to compensate for low oxygen supply, the RBCs are elevated.
I suggest you to get iron profile before starting iron supplements.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Dr. Prasad