Can anyone here interpret blood test results?
bernithebiker
Posts: 4,148
As part of a normal checkup, I had a blood test done.
I was interested in the red blood cell part, as far as cycling performance goes. It seems I'm a bit low;
Haemoglobin = 14.1, range is 13.5 to 17.5
Haemocrit = 41.4%, range is 40 to 50
Haematies = 4 330 000, range is 4 500 000 to 5 800 000
VGM = 96, range is 82 to 98
This suggests that I might benefit from high altitude training, but diet seems OK, as iron deficiency shows up in a low VGM, and mine is high.
I did do a fairly intense 90 minutes cycling the day before, so this may have affected the results.....
Any other (legal!) ways to boost red blood cells?!
I was interested in the red blood cell part, as far as cycling performance goes. It seems I'm a bit low;
Haemoglobin = 14.1, range is 13.5 to 17.5
Haemocrit = 41.4%, range is 40 to 50
Haematies = 4 330 000, range is 4 500 000 to 5 800 000
VGM = 96, range is 82 to 98
This suggests that I might benefit from high altitude training, but diet seems OK, as iron deficiency shows up in a low VGM, and mine is high.
I did do a fairly intense 90 minutes cycling the day before, so this may have affected the results.....
Any other (legal!) ways to boost red blood cells?!
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Comments
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This site may help.
http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/unders ... ab/glance/0 -
I too recently had a blood test. Found I had a lower than average white blood cell count and haemoglobin count. I'm returning for another test before assessing what we can do about the probable iron deficiency.
I rarely eat red meat, but do like my spinach!0 -
How old are you Berni?
Haematological parameters are age related; red cell count (Haematies is the French version) and haemoglobin does tend to fall off a little as we age. Red cell volume (VGM is the French version) tends to creep upwards - providing there is plenty of iron around.
These results are fine for a male in his late 40s or early 50s.0 -
Hct decreases with endurance training as well, hence the term "sports related anaemia" for anyone who doesn't know what they're talking about ;-)
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oldhairylegs wrote:How old are you Berni?
Haematological parameters are age related; red cell count (Haematies is the French version) and haemoglobin does tend to fall off a little as we age. Red cell volume (VGM is the French version) tends to creep upwards - providing there is plenty of iron around.
These results are fine for a male in his late 40s or early 50s.
Just 43, so once again, maybe a bit low?
I know I ride better after a stint in the Alps, but also after a good 4 to 5 day rest.0 -
Room to boost your HCT up to the magic 50% there
"A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"
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Ric/RSTSport wrote:Hct decreases with endurance training as well, hence the term "sports related anaemia" for anyone who doesn't know what they're talking about ;-)
ric
Interesting that you should bring this up Ric.
Exercise induced plasma volume expansion leading to a reduced HCT; not a true anaemia, which makes other measured and calculated parameters much more valuable in interpreting the overall picture. The irony being that HCT is given so much weight in weeding out the dopers - best not go there though.
None of this is of much use to the OP though.
Berni - given your age, slightly low red cell count and upper limit normal MCV, then your serum B12 and Folate could possibly be worth checking.0 -
oldhairylegs wrote:Ric/RSTSport wrote:Hct decreases with endurance training as well, hence the term "sports related anaemia" for anyone who doesn't know what they're talking about ;-)
ric
Interesting that you should bring this up Ric.
Exercise induced plasma volume expansion leading to a reduced HCT; not a true anaemia, which makes other measured and calculated parameters much more valuable in interpreting the overall picture. The irony being that HCT is given so much weight in weeding out the dopers - best not go there though.
None of this is of much use to the OP though.
Berni - given your age, slightly low red cell count and upper limit normal MCV, then your serum B12 and Folate could possibly be worth checking.
Cheers for the help oldhairylegs, you clearly know your blood!
Also tested was TCMH, 32.6 pg, (range is higher than 27)
CCMH 34.1%, range is 32 to 36
Distribution index of red blood cells, 13.0%
Plaquettes (?) 264 000 per microlitre
Creatinine was high at 12.9 mg/L (range 6.7 to 11.7)
and
PSA total (vitamin test?) = 0.44 microg/L (also a test for prostrate cancer?)
Any of those useful? Is serum B12 a possible deficiency in Vitamin B12? (I don't normally take any supplements).0 -
Berni
Have PMd you.0 -
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oldhairylegs wrote:Berni
Have PMd you.
Many thanks! PM'd back.0 -
Seems to me normal, I doubt you have Iron deficiency, but then you would need to do Iron studies.0
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in a previous life I worked in a haematology lab.
Your values are all in the normal range.
I don't know what haematies refers to, and I am guess VGC refers to MCV, again is normal.
What you are presenting here is just a single data point, if you are interested in this you would need to plot your haematocrit and hb over time, called a longtitudinal study, and then see if there are differences and try things to bring it up.
personally I wouldn't bother, you are normal same as the rest of us,get on with it, and you probably have a higher haematocrit than some of the pros in the peloton.
Ronan0 -
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