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What Does This Blood Report Indicate?
Question: My RBC is 3.38, Hemoglobin is 10.6 and and Hematicrit is 32.1. My Hemoglobin dropped from 15 since my physical a year ago. I am also having maroon stools. What does this mean?
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for sending the question.
The symptoms you have described our concerning for a possible gastrointestinal bleed. This would cause your hemoglobin to decline from 15 to 10 as you have reported.
The fact that you're having maroon colored stool suggests that there may be a spot somewhere in your intestinal tract where there is bleeding that is occurring.
I'm glad to see that you're seeing the gastroenterologist. Very likely the gastroenterologist will suggest performing a colonoscopy and possibly upper endoscopy to evaluate for the source of bleeding.
A number of things can cause bleeding. Ulcers for example are possibly the most common cause of bleeding. Of course certain types of cancer can sometimes contribute to gastrointestinal bleeding. Diverticulosis is also a very common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Thank you again for sending your question. Please attend the appointment with your gastroenterologist and I suspect he will schedule you for a procedure in the near future.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for sending the question.
The symptoms you have described our concerning for a possible gastrointestinal bleed. This would cause your hemoglobin to decline from 15 to 10 as you have reported.
The fact that you're having maroon colored stool suggests that there may be a spot somewhere in your intestinal tract where there is bleeding that is occurring.
I'm glad to see that you're seeing the gastroenterologist. Very likely the gastroenterologist will suggest performing a colonoscopy and possibly upper endoscopy to evaluate for the source of bleeding.
A number of things can cause bleeding. Ulcers for example are possibly the most common cause of bleeding. Of course certain types of cancer can sometimes contribute to gastrointestinal bleeding. Diverticulosis is also a very common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Thank you again for sending your question. Please attend the appointment with your gastroenterologist and I suspect he will schedule you for a procedure in the near future.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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