Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Haematology


Blood test 08.00, haematology appointment 10.00, saw the consultant 10.50.

Blood results last 9 readings
21.10 5.10 18.09 10.09 3.07  17.06 9.06 27.05 25.03 Normal  
Hb 107 95 106 81 104  107 93 96 98 130-180  
WBC 1.8 1.95 2.53 2.39 2.85  2.85 2.55 2.91 3.15  4.5-10.0  
N'phils 0.8 0.87 1.05 1.02 1.16  1.17 1.14 1.3 1.57 2.0-7.5  
Plt 202 225 2.41 2.41 249  232 296 342 369 150-450

As platelets were down slightly it was thought safe to reduce hydroxycarbamide from 3 times a week to twice a week. With luck this could prevent or slow down fall in Hb, and delay the need for transfusions. At my suggestion the registrar agreed to call for a serum ferritin test at the next consultation in four weeks' time. This will monitor the cumulative build-up of iron in the heart, liver etc as a result of transfusions. A reading of more than 1,000 mcg/L may indicate iron overload, though I don't think I'm anywhere near that threshold so far. He also agreed to write to the vascular consultant about the continuing problem of the ulcer on my right ankle, which Lindsay says I'm not to show again on his blog. White blood cells are low, meaning the immune system is not too good.

No comments: