MDS?

[deedee7981]

Hi,
I'm so frightened *& hope that you can help me.

For the last many years (as far back as I can remember) my MVC has been in the high normal. The last few years it has been above 100. Today I found out it had jumped to 104 & my RBC which has been normal is now at 3.89. I don't think it's a vitamin deficiency as I take sublimqual & regular B vitamins & I'm not a heavy drinker (rarely at all).

I'm frightened that I have MDS. Does this sound like it to you? My family tells me not to worry, that my doctor will monitor it with my colestral. Should I go to a hematologist? My doctor says it's up to me. Does this sound serious?

Than you so much!!!

[Neil Cuadra]

Do you mean MCV (mean cell volume or mean corpuscular volume)?

It seems that you have a slightly high MCV and slightly low RBC. This could mean that you have macrocytic anemia. Possible causes include B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, and alcoholism. If you want to be thorough, consider having your liver and thyroid function tested to rule out those problems.

If any of your other blood counts are abnormal, your doctor will interpret your MCV and RBC in light of the other counts. It's the combination that tells the story.

Are you having symptoms of anemia (fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, dizziness, etc.)? If so, it needs to be further investigated, and a consultation with a hematologist might be wise. But if your only evidence of a problem is a lab report with slightly high MCV and slightly low RBC, I wouldn't panic.

MDS may be suspected when one or more blood counts are low enough to cause symptoms, which I'm guessing you don't have, but it can only be confirmed (or ruled out) with a bone marrow biopsy. Is there something else that makes you think you might have MDS?

[deedee7981]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, sorry I did mean MCV. I don't drink, do take vitamins & have had the liver and thyroid checked. My doctor did mention that we could do B12 testing, (which I have had in the past & with the exception of 1 time where it was in the 300's it's been ok.) I did mention something about the possibility that it isn't absorbed properly, but I would think that it would have indicated low on the most recent B12 blood work I had (a few years ago).

I do have some of the symtoms that you mention of anemia, however, I attribute these to my heart issues. I'm also exhausted but have been before the anemia showed up & attribute this to my heart issues as well (stiffening of the right side of the heart which causes extreme fatigue.)

I have had an elevated MCV in the past, however, it's never been this high & hasn't been accompanied by anemia:-( Will probably make an appointment with a hematologist. Thank you for your time and input, just so frightening the prognosis that I've read regarding this:-( Again, ty