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Old Sun Jan 29, 2012, 09:25 AM
Marlene Marlene is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Springfield, VA
Posts: 1,406
Make sure to get a current check on your B12, folate, copper and zinc. Be sure to get a copy of the labs. There have been discussions on other threads about low normal B12 can mimic MDS so you want to rule this out. Your B12 should be in the mid to upper range. Your GP can order these tests for you now. If you are taking a supplement with B12, you need to stop it about 4 days before testing otherwise you will get falsely elevated levels.

Too many times, doctors dismiss low normal B12 serum levels. B12 serum is not a definitive test to assess deficiency and a low normal is very suspect especially in the presence of blood or neurological symptoms.

B12 is so easy to address with oral supplementation. All the above, including iron, are needed for blood production. Copper and zinc are closely tied to iron...too much of one can through off the other and visa versa.

This is a good time to look at your nutritional status and work on improving your overall health.

I know it can be overwhelming and seems like a minor thing, but it really is important especially since you already have an issue with low iron.
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Marlene, wife to John DX w/SAA April 2002, Stable partial remission; Treated with High Dose Cytoxan, Johns Hopkins, June 2002. Final phlebotomy 11/2016. As of July 2021 HGB 12.0, WBC 4.70/ANC 3.85, Plts 110K.
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