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Suggest Treatment For Low Vitamin D, High Triglycerides And High RBC Levels
Question: HI. My doctor wants me to retake my blood tests. He says I have low vitamin D, high tri glycerides, and high red blood cell count. I don't smoke and he said my cholesterol, sugar, and thyroid levels were good. Why do labs again?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Good questions. It is advisable, if a patient has blood work results that are out of the range of normal, to try to make what modifications in lifestyle or in their medications are possible, and then rechecking the blood work to see if things have gotten into a normal range. And that is also the reason for you to go back in to see him: to discuss the possible meaning of your blood test results and what changes can be made.
Vitamin D levels low: your doctor will either have you start a vit. D supplement or have you increase the dose of one you are already taking if you have been taking one (and were prior to the test). It can take a few months to correct the Vitamin D level on a blood test.
High triglycerides: the first step in addressing this is typically dietary, in particular to avoid or decrease simple carbohydrates such as things made with refined flour and decrease sugar intake from all sources (sugary drinks, foods with added sugar).
High red blood cell count: this can be due to a number of things and should be rechecked in the near future. Decreased fluid in your blood from having drunk less water at the time of the test can cause the rbcs to appear higher than normal and is not cause for concern. Sleep apnea can cause elevated rbcs as can high altitudes. Less commonly, polycythemia vera and other myeloproliferative diseases can cause increased red blood cell production. Kidney or liver disease can too. So rechecking this test would be advisable, and if it continues to be elevated, sending the specimen to a pathologist at the lab to have a look at would be the next step. Your doctor can get a better idea of the cause, also, by looking at other parameters on your CBC such as the size of the red blood cells (which gives an idea of whether the bone marrow is releasing more immature cells), whether both the hemoglobin and hematocrit are elevated (can be assessed to give an indication of if there was some dehydration at the time of the test ). Your doctor may also consider checking blood work for kidney and liver tests, but those contributing to the cause here are less likely.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Good questions. It is advisable, if a patient has blood work results that are out of the range of normal, to try to make what modifications in lifestyle or in their medications are possible, and then rechecking the blood work to see if things have gotten into a normal range. And that is also the reason for you to go back in to see him: to discuss the possible meaning of your blood test results and what changes can be made.
Vitamin D levels low: your doctor will either have you start a vit. D supplement or have you increase the dose of one you are already taking if you have been taking one (and were prior to the test). It can take a few months to correct the Vitamin D level on a blood test.
High triglycerides: the first step in addressing this is typically dietary, in particular to avoid or decrease simple carbohydrates such as things made with refined flour and decrease sugar intake from all sources (sugary drinks, foods with added sugar).
High red blood cell count: this can be due to a number of things and should be rechecked in the near future. Decreased fluid in your blood from having drunk less water at the time of the test can cause the rbcs to appear higher than normal and is not cause for concern. Sleep apnea can cause elevated rbcs as can high altitudes. Less commonly, polycythemia vera and other myeloproliferative diseases can cause increased red blood cell production. Kidney or liver disease can too. So rechecking this test would be advisable, and if it continues to be elevated, sending the specimen to a pathologist at the lab to have a look at would be the next step. Your doctor can get a better idea of the cause, also, by looking at other parameters on your CBC such as the size of the red blood cells (which gives an idea of whether the bone marrow is releasing more immature cells), whether both the hemoglobin and hematocrit are elevated (can be assessed to give an indication of if there was some dehydration at the time of the test ). Your doctor may also consider checking blood work for kidney and liver tests, but those contributing to the cause here are less likely.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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