OpenHealth Q&A

Insights on Blood Test Results

Hello everyone! As someone who is passionate about running, I typically cover 50 to 60 miles weekly and incorporate strength training into my routine. Lately, I’ve encountered some unusual issues with the nails on my right hand, where the nail beds seem to be bending, and I am losing a few nails. Additionally, I’ve been feeling quite fatigued and have experienced considerable muscle soreness. I’m quite lean, weighing around 100 pounds at a height of 5'6". I recently received my blood test results and would appreciate your insights. I'm particularly interested in the status of my iron levels. **Lab Test Results** **Iron Binding Capacity with Transferrin** | Component | Value| Reference Range | |------------------------|-------|-------------------------------| | Iron | 177 | 50 - 212 mcg/dL | | Transferrin | 326 | 203 - 362 mg/dL | | TIBC | 456 (H)| 250 - 450 mcg/dL | | Transferrin Index | 0.54 | Index | | Iron Saturation | 39 | 20 - 55 % | **Lipid Panel with Direct LDL Calculation** | Component | Value | Reference Range | |------------------------|--------------|----------------------------| | Cholesterol | 198 | <200 mg/dL | | Triglycerides | 75 | <150 mg/dL | | HDL | 88 | >=50 mg/dL | | LDL (Calculated) | 95 | <=129 mg/dL | | VLDL Cholesterol Cal | 15 | <=30 mg/dL | | Non-HDL Chol. (LDL+VLDL)| 110 | mg/dL | | Chol/HDL Ratio | 2.3 | <=4.9 | **Comprehensive Metabolic Panel** | Component | Value | Reference Range | |------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------| | Sodium | 136 | 135 - 144 mmol/L | | Potassium | 4.0 | 3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L | | Chloride | 102 | 98 - 107 mmol/L | | CO2 | 28 | 21 - 31 mmol/L | | Anion Gap | 6 | 3 - 11 | | Glucose | 78 | 70 - 99 mg/dL | | BUN | 22 | 7 - 25 mg/dL | | Creatinine | 1.20 | 0.60 - 1.20 mg/dL | | eGFR | 63 | >=60 mL/min/1.73m2 | | BUN/Creatinine Ratio | 18.3 | | | Calcium | 9.4 | 8.6 - 10.3 mg/dL | | AST (SGOT) | 59 (H) | 13 - 39 unit/L | | ALT (SGPT) | 51 | 7 - 52 unit/L | | Alkaline Phosphatase | 27 | 27 - 120 unit/L | | Total Protein | 6.4 | 6.1 - 7.9 g/dL | | Globulin, Total | 2.2 (L) | 2.3 - 3.5 g/dL | | A/G Ratio | 1.9 | 1.1 - 2.2 | | Total Bilirubin | 0.8 | 0.3 - 1.2 mg/dL | | Albumin | 4.2 | 3.5 - 5.7 g/dL | **Complete Blood Count with Differential** | Component | Value | Reference Range | |------------------------|--------------|-------------------------------| | WBC | 4.4 | 3.7 - 11.0 K/mcL | | RBC | 3.99 | 3.80 - 5.20 M/mcL | | Hemoglobin | 13.0 | 12.0 - 16.0 g/dL | | Hematocrit | 40.9 | 35.0 - 46.0 % | | MCV | 102.5 (H) | 80.0 - 99.0 FL | | MCHC | 31.8 | 29.0 - 37.5 g/dL | | RDW | 13.2 | 12.0 - 15.0 % | | Platelets | 197 | 150 - 450 K/mcL | | Neutrophils (Relative) | 59.3 | 45.0 - 80.0 % | | Immature Granulocytes (Relative)| 0.0| 0.0 - 3.0 % | | Lymphocytes (Relative) | 34.5 | 12.0 - 45.0 % | | Monocytes (Relative) | 5.2 | 4.0 - 15.0 % | | Eosinophils (Relative) | 0.5 | 0.0 - 6.0 % | | Basophils (Relative) | 0.5 | 0.0 - 3.0 % | | Neutrophils (Absolute) | 2.63 | 1.50 - 10.00 K/mcL | | Immature Granulocytes (Absolute)| <0.03| 0.00 - 0.30 K/mcL | | Lymphocytes (Absolute) | 1.53 | 1.00 - 3.50 K/mcL | | Monocytes (Absolute) | 0.23 | 0.00 - 1.00 K/mcL | | Eosinophils (Absolute) | <0.03 | 0.00 - 0.50 K/mcL | | Basophils (Absolute) | <0.03 | 0.00 - 0.20 K/mcL | | NRBC | 0.0 | <=0.2 % | | NRBC Absolute | 0.00 | <0.01 K/mcL I'm eager to hear your thoughts and insights regarding my test results, especially concerning my iron levels!

Answers (1)

6/25/2025, 8:32:03 PM

OpenHealth AI

Your concerns about recent changes in your nail health, fatigue, and muscle soreness, combined with your blood test results, indicate that there may be several factors to consider. Here’s a structured overview based on your test results, particularly focusing on your iron levels:

Summary of Key Points

1. Iron Levels: Your iron levels are within the normal range, but your Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) is elevated, which can indicate a potential iron deficiency or some underlying issue.
2. Fatigue and Nail Changes: Fatigue, muscle soreness, and nail health can be linked to nutritional deficiencies or physical demands from your running and training routines.
3. Other Test Results: Mild elevations in AST (liver enzyme) and MCV (mean corpuscular volume) can suggest other health considerations that may need attention.

Explanation

• Iron Levels: Iron is essential for energy production and overall health. Your iron and transferrin levels appear normal, but the high TIBC suggests your body might be trying to compensate for something (like a potential deficiency).
• Nail Changes: Nail issues can stem from nutritional deficiencies such as iron, biotin, or other vitamins, stress from physical activity, or other medical conditions.
• Fatigue and Muscle Soreness: As a runner, post-exercise soreness is common, but ongoing fatigue may be a sign that you are not recovering sufficiently or might need more nutrients to support your activity level.

Next Steps

1. Dietary Assessment:

   • Increase Iron-Rich Foods: Focus on consuming more iron-rich foods such as lean meats, leafy greens, beans, nuts, and fortified cereals. Combine these with vitamin C sources (like citrus fruits) to enhance iron absorption.
   • Ensure Balanced Nutrition: Ensure your diet is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins (like B12 and folate), and consider incorporating protein sources to help with muscle recovery.

2. Monitor Symptoms:

   • Keep track of any changes in your nails, levels of fatigue, and muscle soreness. Documenting any patterns may help identify triggers or improvements based on dietary changes.

3. Hydration and Rest:

   • Stay well-hydrated, and prioritize rest days in your training to allow your body to recover adequately. Good sleep and rest are crucial for recovery and overall well-being.

4. Reflect on Training Intensity:

   • Consider evaluating the intensity or volume of your training routine. It's essential to balance your physical exertion with recovery to prevent fatigue and potential overtraining.

5. Follow-Up on Test Results:

   • If your symptoms persist or worsen, especially regarding fatigue and nail health, consider discussing follow-up testing (including vitamin levels and further liver function tests) with a healthcare provider.

If you feel comfortable doing so, sharing your dietary intake and lifestyle habits can provide more context for tailored advice. Remember to care for your body and seek a balance that supports both your passion for running and your overall health.