[kerikadi]

I go to my GP to have my labs done so that they are covered by insurance. Today I got the results in the mail and the blood counts are labled abnormal, these are the numbers listed:
RBC (down arrow) 3.08
Hgb (down arrow) 10.5
Hct (down arrow) 30.7
MCV (up arrow) 99
MCH (up arrow) 34.1
Platelets 147

Can someone tell me how abnormal these are? Where are the numbers supposed to be?
I am seeing my midwife on Tuesday and I am sure she will go over them with me but I am really curious.

Thanks,
Keri

 

[gossamer]

RBC (down arrow) 3.08 Should be 4.2-6.9
Hgb (down arrow) 10.5 Should be 12-16
Hct (down arrow) 30.7 Should be 37-48
MCV (up arrow) 99 SHould be 76-100
MCH (up arrow) 34.1 Should be 27-32
Platelets 147 SHould be 150 - 350

Hope that helps.
Gossamer

 

[pamamidwife]

yeah, your iron is a little low. It looks like a nutritional issue, though, so adding some iron to your diet (like meat, kidney beans, leafy greens, blackstrap molasses or Floradex) would help.

 

[kerikadi]

Thanks so much. Not sure why my iron is low as I am following Brewers for the most part and taking alphalpha along with my pre-nats, flax seed, nettles and RRL.

Can someone tell me what all the initials mean? It would be nice to know which is which.
RBC
Hgb
Hct
MCV
MCH

Also, how big of an issue is this? I will be birthing at home - is low iron that big of an issue? I am almost 36 weeks, how long does it usually take to get your iron up?

Thanks again!
Keri

 

[pamamidwife]

Ah, you're 36 weeks - well, if you compare your hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood) with what it was at the beginning of pregnancy, you'll likely see a drop - which is NORMAL, meaning that your blood volume is nicely expanded. It's a good sign.

Your iron isn't scary low, it's just a little on the low side. Are you unusually tired? Out of breath? Is your skin pale? These all point to anemia, too. Some women can have low iron and it not really affect them. Others, however, are affected greatly by low normal iron levels.

Should not affect your ability to have a homebirth. Not at all. I would just add more iron to your diet - just for extra insurance. Sometimes women with anemia will bleed a bit more, and that makes the postpartum period harder. So, adding more iron (aside from the herbs you mentioned) will really help. I always suggest blackstrap molasses or Floradex - and women usually notice a HUGE increase in energy, etc. immediately.

Here are the abbreviations:

RBC: red blood cells
Hgb: Hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying capacity of your RBCs)
Hct: Hematocrit (the amount of RBC in a given area)
MCV: Mean Corpuscular Volume (measures RBCs by a certain size)
MCH: Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (average weight of hemoglobin in a RBC. This is directly related to the MCV)

 

[kerikadi]

Thanks so much Pamamidwife - I appreciate you taking the time to explain it all to me.

I have felt a little tired but I really believe that it has more to do with my separated pubic bone - it is quite painful and ordinary activities really take it out of me - the pain is wearing me out

I am also nursing a 15 month old that doesn't always sleep through the night - add it all together and I guess I would be considered a tired mama

What is Floradex? Does black strap molases only come in the molases form that I am familiar with - i.e. syrup or is there some kind of supplement I could take? I wouldn't mind adding something to my protein shake or taking another suplement but not sure how I would add molases syrup to my diet

:

Thanks again!
Keri

 

[pamamidwife]

Floradex is an iron supplement found in natural food stores - it's all from food and plant sources, so it's easy assimilated and gentle on your body.

And, yes, the molasses is exactly what you're thinking of! Some women take it (a Tbs twice a day) in a cup of hot water, others add it to oatmeal, to shakes, etc. It will sweeten things up a bit and it's not too bad.

You may feel a bit better with the addition of something extra, or you may not. You sound very busy and overextended! You need a nice hot tub soak followed with a massage, mama! Your poor pubic bone.

 

[Elphaba]

i'm just going to butt in here with an idea for the molasses, or other iron source.
on the mothering home page, there's a section called "peggy's kitchen." she's got a delicious recipe for an orange/fig smoothie (figs for iron, orange juice for Vit C to help it be absrobed), but in my hellhole of a town i can't find figs. so i use molasses.
my almost-2-year-old REALLY likes those smoothies!

 

[SpringRain]

I just had to add that when I was having trouble with low iron, I found this web site http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/dietiron.html to be very helpful. Hope it helps!