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What Does Low Red Blood Cell Count And Raised RDW Indicate?
Question: I have a high RDW, low WBC, low RBC, low LYM, low MONO, low EOS, low BASO, normal MVC, pretty much normal otherwise. I was hypothyroid for about sixteen years. I went hyperthyroid in September, passed out in April because I went into "thyroid storm," and now over the last five weeks, my TSH has gone from showing me as unmeasurably hyper to moving back to hypothyroid. My father had large cell protein B lung cancer that killed him at age forty. I have a history of Lyme, and used to have cats up until three months ago. I'm concerned this is either a flare up of Lyme, toxoplasmosis, or some type of cancer affecting my bone marrow. Thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Thyroxine dose may have to be increased.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The blood picture shows low red blood cell count, raised RDW and normal MVC.
This information tells us that there is variation in the sizes of red blood cells.
Low red blood cell count is seen due to blood loss or decreased production of red blood cells.
Kindly, mention the hemoglobin levels also to know whether you are suffering from anemia or not.
Hypothyroidism is known to cause normocytic normochromic anemia.
The white blood cell count is low and all types of white blood cells are also low.
You have mentioned that you are moving back to hypothyroid state.
Hypothyroid state is characterised by high levels of TSH.
A consultation with your treating doctor is required for re-assessment of thyroxine dose.
The dose of thyroxine may have to be increased.
Correction of hypothyroidism will help to correct anemia if it is caused due to hypothyroid state.
What is the status of platelets?
In case the platelet level is also low, bone marrow assessment may be required.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Thyroxine dose may have to be increased.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The blood picture shows low red blood cell count, raised RDW and normal MVC.
This information tells us that there is variation in the sizes of red blood cells.
Low red blood cell count is seen due to blood loss or decreased production of red blood cells.
Kindly, mention the hemoglobin levels also to know whether you are suffering from anemia or not.
Hypothyroidism is known to cause normocytic normochromic anemia.
The white blood cell count is low and all types of white blood cells are also low.
You have mentioned that you are moving back to hypothyroid state.
Hypothyroid state is characterised by high levels of TSH.
A consultation with your treating doctor is required for re-assessment of thyroxine dose.
The dose of thyroxine may have to be increased.
Correction of hypothyroidism will help to correct anemia if it is caused due to hypothyroid state.
What is the status of platelets?
In case the platelet level is also low, bone marrow assessment may be required.
If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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