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What Causes Elevated Iron And Vitamin B12 Levels?

Posted on Thu, 8 Sep 2016

Question: Hello,

I am 43 years old female and for a while I have been working on elevating my iron and b12 levels. In 2014 the levels were:
Iron: 18
B12: 109
In 2016 I had two blood tests done, April and August. The respective results were:
Iron: 9 ( April ) 35 (August)
B12: 108 (April) 248 ( August)
I have been taking Vit B12 methylco form (oral) and Feramax (oral) for approx. 1 month. Also I started centrum multivitamin ( women ) 2 weeks ago.
The blood work for August was performed yesterday, and I've got the results online, today.
My concern is tha it shows a high platelets count: 407 and a High RDW: 14.7, everything else shows as normal including the surprisingly increased B12 —from 108 in April to 248 in August— and iron: from 9 to 35.
I did ingested one vitamin b12 pill in the morning of the test and walked 15 minutes to lab.
What could be the cause of the High platelets and RDW? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Platelets are normal, high RDW indicates variation in RBC size.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

The higher level of iron and vitamin b 12 is due to intake of supplements for both iron and vitamin B 12.

The normal range for platelets is between 1.5 to 4.5 lakhs/ cubic mm, although the range may vary from laboratory to laboratory.
Thus, your platelets are within range, there is nothing to worry for this.
High RDW shows variation in sizes of red blood cells.
Larger the variation, larger the value of RDW.
High RDW is most commonly seen in iron deficiency.
Since, you have mentioned that you have had low iron levels, high RDW is expected.
As iron levels will improve, RDW will also improve.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (54 minutes later)

Thanks, Dr. Shaija Puri

If I may, I would like to know if the actual Iron and B12 are a reflection of the supplements, or these values mean that the stores in the body are being filled up? I ask this because the RDW showed within normal values with the tests where both iron a b12 were low. Any specific reason for it be showing high niw that the normals are within range?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Supplements have helped to normalise the iron and vit B 12 levels.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,

The increase in iron and vitamin B 12 level is definitely effect of supplements.
Iron supplements first restore the stores and then blood levels of iron.
The value of RDW is mildly increased, so nothing to worry.

A normal level previously, and mildly increased now is reflection of change in size of red blood cells.
There is absolutely nothing to worry since the value is near normal.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (8 minutes later)

Thank you so much, Dr. Shailja Puri.
I have a follow-up booked to see my family doctor in 2 weeks. But, since I read on the internet that high platelets might be associated with cancer I was freaking out... Thanks for bringing me some poece of mind over these results! Really appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Platelet count is not raised to an extent as expected in cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Your platelet level is not so high so as to indicate cancer.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja APuri

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee