[skolman]

Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by skolman on Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:21 pm

How is anemia diagnosed, by red blood cell count or by hemo­globin count?

I am confused. My RBC is 3.87, yet my hemoglobin is 11.9 g/dL. So am I not anemic?

[Multibilly]

Re: Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by Multibilly on Thu Jul 02, 2015 1:22 pm

Hi susan,

When you say "diagnosed", are you asking how one determines if you meet the anemic standard for multiple myeloma (i.e. the "A" in CRAB)? For CRAB purposes, anemia is typically determined by one's hemoglobin level. You are considered anemic by multiple myeloma standards if your hemoglobin is either less than 10 g/dl or 2 g/dl less than the lower bound of the normal hemoglobin range that's relevant to you given your age and gender.

But there are also a lot of other things that doctors look at when generally considering if somebody might be anemic and just what kind of anemia a person may have. So, it would be good to dis­cuss with your doc just why your RBC is on the low side. Are any of your other CBC lab test results out of range?

[skolman]

Re: Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by skolman on Thu Jul 02, 2015 1:46 pm

I knew I could count on you to answer. Thanks. I don't see anything else in my CBC count out of whack. Sometimes my white count goes down to 4, but last test went up to 5.2, so I guess I am fine and dandy.

I just get nervous when my red count goes below 4. which it does frequently. I wanted to clarify how anemia is determined and if I should be concerned, but I guess I am fine.

Thank you for responding.

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by Ron Harvot on Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:40 pm

The hematocrit level is also important and should be read in conjunction with the hemoglobin count. If they are both normal or close to normal, then an overall low red number would not point to anemia. If both are low and the red count is low, then you could have anemia but it may be slight. If the hemoglobin is near normal but the hematocrit level is low, then that points to some form of internal bleeding, which may not be myeloma-related, such as an ulcer.

Ron

[Rneb]

Re: Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by Rneb on Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:05 pm

Ron is correct. You need both gradients to suspect / rule out anemia.
A measured Iron component to your basic chemistries, or a specific Ferritin test will also shed some light on your anemia status.
Second, Labs differ in their "scales"--so you need to check reference values.
Finally, do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth (regularly)?
If so, you might mention it to your MD, for followup.
You could have a platelet AND an Anemic situation, concurrently.

[barbara1200]

Re: Anemia - how is it diagnosed?

by barbara1200 on Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:51 pm

Ron,

Do you know the abbreviation for the hematocrit level is on the CBC blood test?

I see my HGB level as 9.7 but cannot identify the hematocrit level.

Thanks so much.

Barbara1200