Understanding Blood Test Results
Greetings! I’m a 23-year-old female and I've previously discussed experiencing bleeding that might be linked to haemorrhoids. Recently, my physician recommended some blood tests, and I’m fortunate enough to have access to the pathology results here in my country. I've reviewed my findings, and the following values are flagged as abnormal: - Ferritin: 4 ug/L - Iron: 5 umol/L - Transferrin: 3.8 g/L (slightly elevated) - Transferrin Saturation: 5% The tests requested by my doctor included a coeliac disease panel, thyroid assessment, iron studies, a full biochemical profile, complete blood count, ESR, and CRP. Although I can’t access the results for the coeliac panel just yet, I noted that all other tests, excluding the four mentioned above, fell within the normal range. I understand these findings indicate that my iron levels are indeed low. I am curious, though, about how alarming these results may be. I generally have experienced low ferritin levels, though typically they hover around 14. Most of my other results tend to be normal. To my surprise, I’ve been feeling relatively fine overall. The only unusual symptom I've noticed is occasional dizziness when I get up quickly. Given that I experienced bleeding for several days during bowel movements about three weeks ago, how concerned should I be about these results? Is there potential for serious conditions like cancer?
Answers (1)
6/25/2025, 6:31:04 AM
OpenHealth AI
Your recent blood test results show significantly low iron levels and ferritin, which are important for your overall health. While it’s understandable to have concerns, your description of feeling relatively fine and only experiencing occasional dizziness is reassuring.
Explanation of Your Results:
- Ferritin (4 µg/L): This value is quite low, indicating depleted iron stores in your body.
- Iron (5 µmol/L): This also indicates a lack of iron, which can lead to symptoms of iron deficiency.
- Transferrin (3.8 g/L): It's slightly elevated, which generally occurs when your body is trying to transport more iron due to low iron levels.
- Transferrin Saturation (5%): This indicates that a very small percentage of your transferrin is saturated with iron, supporting the evidence of iron deficiency.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms, particularly regarding dizziness or any new symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or changes in bowel habits.
-
Iron-Rich Diet: Consider increasing your intake of iron-rich foods. These include:
- Red meat (beef, lamb)
- Poultry (chicken, turkey)
- Fish (salmon, tuna)
- Legumes (lentils, beans)
- leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale)
- Fortified cereals.
Pairing these with vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus fruits) can enhance iron absorption.
-
Hydration and Fiber: Given your history of rectal bleeding, ensure adequate hydration and fiber to promote regular bowel movements, which may alleviate some symptoms.
-
Follow Up on the Coeliac Panel: Wait for the results of your coeliac disease panel, as this can be important in understanding any underlying issues regarding malabsorption that could be contributing to low iron levels.
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Record Your Concerns: Since you have shared an experience with rectal bleeding in the past, it's vital to document this information and discuss it with your doctor soon, even if symptoms seem to have improved.
Reassurance:
While low iron levels can lead to anaemia and cause symptoms, most cases can be effectively managed when the underlying cause is identified. It's important to evaluate any potential gastrointestinal issues, especially considering your previous bleeding episodes. The likelihood of something more serious like cancer is typically low for someone your age, especially if there are no other alarming symptoms present, but staying vigilant and proactive with medical follow-ups is crucial.
If you start experiencing more severe symptoms or if the dizziness worsens, please seek medical advice promptly.
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