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What Does My Lab Test Report Indicate?
Question: Dear Doctor,
I did blood tests in July 2016 and December 2016 respectively. It is found that my RBC count is slightly below the lower end of normal range (but the Hb and Hct are normal). Please see the attached reports for your reference.
(For your information, I am a heavy cigarette smoker and chronic alcohol drinker.)
I would like to know the clinical meaning of this "slightly low RBC count". Does it mean that something is getting wrong in my body ? Could you give me any comment / advice ? Thank you very much.
(Also, I have the following symptoms recently : daytime sleepiness and drowsiness during the day. But I could not sleep well and always wake up 1 to 2 times at night.)
I did blood tests in July 2016 and December 2016 respectively. It is found that my RBC count is slightly below the lower end of normal range (but the Hb and Hct are normal). Please see the attached reports for your reference.
(For your information, I am a heavy cigarette smoker and chronic alcohol drinker.)
I would like to know the clinical meaning of this "slightly low RBC count". Does it mean that something is getting wrong in my body ? Could you give me any comment / advice ? Thank you very much.
(Also, I have the following symptoms recently : daytime sleepiness and drowsiness during the day. But I could not sleep well and always wake up 1 to 2 times at night.)
Brief Answer:
Hello dear. A borderline value is acceptable.
Detailed Answer:
HEllo dear. I have gone through the reports. So a borderline low value of red cells is acceptable as long as the hemoglobin, hct mch and mchc are within normal range. A mild variation can be explained as red cells have variable rates of production and destruction in our body and they can even vary in the same person from time to time. Slightly low count means count is just below the normal range. There is nothing wrong in your body.
Your symptoms of daytime sleepiness an be explained on the basis of harmful effets of smoking.
Ii will advise you to quit smoking and start doing yoga.
Thanks and regards
Hello dear. A borderline value is acceptable.
Detailed Answer:
HEllo dear. I have gone through the reports. So a borderline low value of red cells is acceptable as long as the hemoglobin, hct mch and mchc are within normal range. A mild variation can be explained as red cells have variable rates of production and destruction in our body and they can even vary in the same person from time to time. Slightly low count means count is just below the normal range. There is nothing wrong in your body.
Your symptoms of daytime sleepiness an be explained on the basis of harmful effets of smoking.
Ii will advise you to quit smoking and start doing yoga.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dear Dr. Sundriyal,
Many thanks for your reply. Appreciated.
1. My WBC count on the report of December 2016 was 11050 / μL which is higher
than normal (the normal range is 4000 - 10000 / μL). Do you think it is a big
deal about that ?
2. In addition, do you think I will need to do further blood tests for investigation of
my borderline low value of red blood cells ?
Again, thank you for your comment.
Best regards, XXXXXXX
Many thanks for your reply. Appreciated.
1. My WBC count on the report of December 2016 was 11050 / μL which is higher
than normal (the normal range is 4000 - 10000 / μL). Do you think it is a big
deal about that ?
2. In addition, do you think I will need to do further blood tests for investigation of
my borderline low value of red blood cells ?
Again, thank you for your comment.
Best regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hello. Again i take it as normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear.
So for the same reason of variable rates of production and destruction, a borderline elevated wbc carries no significance. No need to repeat the tests.
Thanks and regards
Hello. Again i take it as normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear.
So for the same reason of variable rates of production and destruction, a borderline elevated wbc carries no significance. No need to repeat the tests.
Thanks and regards
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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