Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Normal For RBC And Hemoglobin Numbers To Fluctuate A Bit Downward?
Question: hello. I'm about to turn 50 and I'm a Male. I'm concerned about my rbc count. from 201 to 2015, my RBC count was in 5's and my hemoglobin was close to 15. I have noticed a reduction of my rbc in the last few tests, they are still in normal range, but they are dropping. in 2017, my RBC was 4.72 and my hemoglobin was 14.0. in early 2018, my rbc was 4.75 and my RBC was 14.0,. I tested a month after that and my rbc was 4.50 and my hemoglobin was 13.4. I just recently tested and my rbc was 4.34 and my hemoglobin was 13.2. I'm concerned about early stomach or colon cancer, even though I haven't been diagnosed with it. is it normal for these rbc and hemoglobin numbers to fluctuate a bit downward? very worried I might have stomach or colon cancer.
Brief Answer:
This looks to be pretty normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The 'rbc' count can well fluctuate between a range, (that's why we always see a range of normal value rather then a fixed value) This is because our cells are always in process of synthesis. The LAB , the whether and your diet all can slightly effect the count. The good point is that your HB is normal which is a much better indicator of our blood level. So i mean to say that everything you mentioned is pretty normal and you don't need to worry.
I can understand your concern for the cancer of stomach and colon, however at the moment nothing suggest that and i hope all is fine. however checking rbc count is not a good way of detecting any cancer ;
If you have any risk , like family history or any symptom suggestive , you can do endoscopy that is your doc would see your stomach with a scope however even that is not routinely done as stomach cancer is not very common ( if there is no symptoms like pain in stomach, food sticking in throat .or easy dumping, or wt loss you even wont need this )for colon cancer , a simple stool test that is stool for occult blood can be done every year that is much better, if you have high risk like family history, then you can do colonoscopy as well but that's even not needed most of the times
Hopes I have answered your question , pleases don't hesitate to ask anything more you need to know.
Kind Regards
Dr Rahman
This looks to be pretty normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The 'rbc' count can well fluctuate between a range, (that's why we always see a range of normal value rather then a fixed value) This is because our cells are always in process of synthesis. The LAB , the whether and your diet all can slightly effect the count. The good point is that your HB is normal which is a much better indicator of our blood level. So i mean to say that everything you mentioned is pretty normal and you don't need to worry.
I can understand your concern for the cancer of stomach and colon, however at the moment nothing suggest that and i hope all is fine. however checking rbc count is not a good way of detecting any cancer ;
If you have any risk , like family history or any symptom suggestive , you can do endoscopy that is your doc would see your stomach with a scope however even that is not routinely done as stomach cancer is not very common ( if there is no symptoms like pain in stomach, food sticking in throat .or easy dumping, or wt loss you even wont need this )for colon cancer , a simple stool test that is stool for occult blood can be done every year that is much better, if you have high risk like family history, then you can do colonoscopy as well but that's even not needed most of the times
Hopes I have answered your question , pleases don't hesitate to ask anything more you need to know.
Kind Regards
Dr Rahman
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
