Help me understand these test results

[bjerme]

I had a lot of blood work done recently, and these are the test results that came back as "out of normal range"


HGB: 8.2
HCT: 26.8
MCV: 60
MCH: 18.4
MCHC 30.6
RDW: 18.6
Sedimentation Rate: 45
Protein: 8.8
ALT: 29
TIBC: 510
Iron Saturation: 3
Ferritin: 2

It also said these were present (and abnormal):

Hypochromia
Microcytic
Anisocytosis
Poikilocytosis
Ovalocytes

[jabeen]

You have iron-deficiency anemia, pretty severe (given the hemglobin--hgb, hematocrit--hct, and ferritin levels). Hypochromia, microcytosis and all that are related to the anemia (small, light colored red blood cells). All the results relate to the anemia except sed rate, ALT, protein. ALT is liver function but 29 is perfectly fine. Elevated sed rate (45) means some kind of inflammation in the body. Elevated protein can also be related to inflammation.

Didn't your health care provider review the results with you?

P.S. actually the sed rate could also be related to the anemia...but again it's your HCP's job to go over all this!