Anemia, Internal Medicine FAQ - Page 2

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Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results: Which Specialist to Consult?

Blood report Due to work requirements, I underwent a health check, and the report indicates abnormalities in the blood test results! White blood cells: 10.53, Red blood cells: 5.22, Hemoglobin: 11.6, Platelets: 414. Which specialty should I consult for these abnormal indicators? ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, you are likely referring to a slightly elevated white blood cell count and a slightly low hemoglobin level, correct? For the white blood cell count, the normal range for healthy individuals is approximately 3.0-10.0. Your level is only slightly elevated, which could be due...

[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results: Which Specialist to Consult?


Understanding Thrombocytopenia and Acquired Hemolytic Anemia: Treatment Options Explained

Thrombocytopenia and acquired hemolytic anemia? Hello Dr. Gao: In 2019, I discovered many small bruises on my body. After an examination at a clinic, it was found that my platelet count was only 9,000. I was urgently sent to a large hospital's emergency department, and after...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Splenectomy is indeed one of the treatment options for refractory thrombocytopenia. You may want to consult a second physician to re-evaluate any underlying possible autoimmune diseases. If it is confirmed to be immune thrombocytopenia, in addi...

[Read More] Understanding Thrombocytopenia and Acquired Hemolytic Anemia: Treatment Options Explained


Understanding the Impact of Anemia and Spinal Issues on White Blood Cell Count

White blood cell count Hello Doctor, my father has thalassemia. In last year's health check report, his hemoglobin was 12.8, mean corpuscular volume was 67.2, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin was 21.8. The physician mentioned that these values were low due to anemia. However,...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, a white blood cell count of 3380 is still within the normal range. It is normal for blood cell counts to fluctuate somewhat; as long as they remain within the normal range, there is no cause for concern. Spondylolisthesis itself should not lead to a decrease in blood cell ...

[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Anemia and Spinal Issues on White Blood Cell Count


Understanding High ESR Levels in Anemia and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Is it because I have anemia that my ESR is often elevated? Hello Doctor: I am a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, 20 years old, and I have been diagnosed for over 2 years. Recently, for the past 7 months, I have been taking Salazopyrin, and during my last two follow-up visits,...


Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels of 13.5 to 14.5 are not the cause of abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as ESR can be influenced by many factors in the body. 2. C-reactive protein (CRP) is more important than ESR for monitoring ankylosing spondylitis; symptoms and X-rays a...

[Read More] Understanding High ESR Levels in Anemia and Ankylosing Spondylitis


Can Increasing Salazopyrin Dosage Improve ESR in Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Saleran significantly reduces CRP levels; can increasing the dosage also lead to a significant decrease in ESR? Hello Doctor: I am 20 years old and have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis for 3 years, with the diagnosis confirmed 1 year after the onset. Initially, I was t...


Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
1. There are many bodily factors that can cause elevated ESR, and inflammation is just one of them. Increasing the dosage of Salazopyrin to 3 or 4 tablets per day may be worth trying, but it may not necessarily be effective. 2. Mild anemia is unlikely to cause such a high ESR. Th...

[Read More] Can Increasing Salazopyrin Dosage Improve ESR in Ankylosing Spondylitis?


Can Increasing Salazopyrine Dosage Lower ESR in Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Can increasing the dosage of Salazopyrin further reduce ESR? Hello Doctor: I am 20 years old, and I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis for 3 years, with the diagnosis confirmed 1 year after the onset. Initially, I was treated with either Celebrex or Voltaren, but for...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Here are my responses: 1) I have been taking only 2 Salazopyrin daily, and my CRP has significantly decreased from around 0.7-0.9 (when I was only taking Celebrex or Voltaren) to now 0.2-0.4. However, my ESR has shown almost no improvement. In...

[Read More] Can Increasing Salazopyrine Dosage Lower ESR in Ankylosing Spondylitis?


Understanding Anemia in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Causes and Insights

Ankylosing Spondylitis Anemia Hello doctor, I have ankylosing spondylitis and recently had blood tests that showed some abnormal results: WBC: 7.15 (3.6-11.2) normal, RBC: 3.87 (4.5-5.7) abnormal, HB: 12.5 (13.7-17) abnormal, HCT: 37.0 (40.5-50) abnormal, MCV: 95.6 (80-100) norma...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. If ankylosing spondylitis is poorly controlled, it may lead to anemia. Your inflammatory markers are normal, indicating that your ankylosing spondylitis is relatively stable, and the anemia may not be caused by a rheumatic disease. I recommend t...

[Read More] Understanding Anemia in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Causes and Insights


Understanding Low White Blood Cell Count: Causes and Follow-Up

Leukopenia The most recent blood biochemistry test showed a white blood cell count of 3300, which is low; red blood cells are normal, hemoglobin is low, mean corpuscular volume is low, mean corpuscular hemoglobin is low, and total bilirubin is 2.22, which is high, while all other...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, regarding the white blood cell count, it's important to first know what your previous levels were. Some individuals naturally have a white blood cell count around 3,000, which can be normal for them. However, if your count has suddenly dropped to 3,000 from a previous...

[Read More] Understanding Low White Blood Cell Count: Causes and Follow-Up


Understanding Dizziness: Possible Causes Beyond Viral Infections

Dizziness, feeling of heaviness in the head, and lightness in the legs? Hello, doctor. I've been feeling a bit dizzy these past few days. It's not severe, and I feel dizzy whether I'm standing or sitting, but I don't feel anything when lying down. I visited a ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, there are indeed many factors that can cause dizziness. Based on your situation, the following possible factors may apply: 1. Staying up late or irregular sleep patterns 2. Excessive stress 3. Anemia 4. Side effects of cold medications 5. Inner ear imbalance. It is recomme...

[Read More] Understanding Dizziness: Possible Causes Beyond Viral Infections


Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome: Blood Test Results and Treatment Insights

Sjögren's Syndrome Index Thank you, doctor! First question: I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome on August 19 this year, with an index of 280. Starting from the 20th, I took one quinine daily. On September 21, I had a second blood test, and the index was 334. During ...


Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my responses: First question: I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome on August 19 of this year, with a score of 280. I started taking one quinine tablet daily from the 20th, and on September 21, my blood was drawn again, showin...

[Read More] Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome: Blood Test Results and Treatment Insights


Understanding Dizziness After Sudden Movements: When to Seek Medical Advice

Please ask your question? I apologize for bothering you, doctor, but I have a question. I was lying down playing on my phone when my grandmother suddenly needed to use the bathroom and called for my help. I rushed over, and after standing up, I suddenly felt dizzy and unsteady fo...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the conditions you mentioned are referred to as "orthostatic hypotension," which occurs when there is a significant change in body posture and the cardiovascular system is unable to adequately adjust, resulting in temporary low blood pressure. It is recommended t...

[Read More] Understanding Dizziness After Sudden Movements: When to Seek Medical Advice


Understanding Accurate Diabetes Testing: Insights on HbA1c and Blood Sugar Levels

What are the more accurate methods for measuring blood glucose levels? Hello, doctor. I recently received my health check report, and the results showed that my fasting blood sugar appears normal, but my glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is at 6.0. In the past, my HbA1c levels were bet...


Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If you are concerned that anemia may affect the accuracy of hemoglobin A1c, you can test for glycated albumin.

[Read More] Understanding Accurate Diabetes Testing: Insights on HbA1c and Blood Sugar Levels


Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns

Iron deficiency anemia Hello, doctor! I have a question. I have iron deficiency anemia, and my hemoglobin was initially only 8. The doctor recommended intravenous iron therapy, and after more than a year of treatment, my levels are approaching normal. However, my ferritin remains...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, women tend to lose a significant amount of iron due to menstruation. When combined with irregular daily routines, imbalanced diets, high stress, and lack of exercise, it can lead to long-term iron deficiency. It is advisable to first test for occult blood in the stool. If ...

[Read More] Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns


Persistent Dizziness and Headaches: Understanding Possible Causes

Feeling dizzy and experiencing headaches all day? I have oceanic anemia and have been feeling dizzy all day for almost a month. A few days ago, I also experienced very painful headaches, and I feel like my memory has slightly declined. I have little strength in my body and I'...


Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: If your symptoms persist without improvement, please seek medical attention from a neurologist for a thorough examination. If necessary, the physician will arrange for a computed tomography (CT) scan. Thank you for your message!

[Read More] Persistent Dizziness and Headaches: Understanding Possible Causes


Understanding Mucus and Blood in Stool: Is It a Sign of Colon Cancer?

Stool with mucus and blood? Hello Doctor, my gastrointestinal health has not been good for the past two months (slow gastrointestinal motility after a viral infection). Two months ago, when my stomach issues were not as severe, I had an endoscopy. Recently, I still feel short of ...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, I would like to know if you are seeing fresh blood or black stools? If it is fresh blood, it may be due to hemorrhoidal bleeding caused by constipation. If there is a large amount of fresh blood, a colonoscopy is recommended. If it is black stools, it could indicate gastro...

[Read More] Understanding Mucus and Blood in Stool: Is It a Sign of Colon Cancer?


Understanding Elevated Blood Test Results During Oocyte Freezing Process

Blood test values Hello doctor, I would like to ask about my blood test results on the second day of my menstrual period due to my egg freezing treatment. My hemoglobin (HB) is 13.5, with a reference range of [10.1][12.7]. My mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is 31, with a refere...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, usually a decrease in these values can be concerning. For example, an increase in anemia is often due to blood becoming too concentrated, which can happen if you have been drinking very little water or losing too much water through sweating, among other rare conditions. Ce...

[Read More] Understanding Elevated Blood Test Results During Oocyte Freezing Process


Understanding Blood Sugar, HbA1c, and Their Impact on Thalassemia

Blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and Mediterranean anemia? Hello, I had a company health check before the New Year, and my hemoglobin A1c was 5.6 and my blood glucose was 86. At the end of March, due to feeling unwell, I tested my postprandial blood glucose and it was 155. The...


Dr. Li Jian Reply:
If there are concerns that hemoglobin A1c levels may be affected by anemia, glycated albumin can be tested; the impact of anemia on hemoglobin A1c levels is difficult to estimate.

[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar, HbA1c, and Their Impact on Thalassemia


Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: Causes and Next Steps

A white blood cell count of 12.7 is considered elevated. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of the increased white blood cell count. Possible causes may include infections, inflammation, stress Hello Doctor, I have iron def...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the gingival inflammation you mentioned can lead to an increase in white blood cell count. If the teeth have already been extracted, the white blood cell count should decrease. Regarding the DC you mentioned, it refers to the differential count of white blood cells, which ...

[Read More] Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: Causes and Next Steps


Understanding Dizziness and Headaches: Possible Causes and Concerns

Dizziness, headache? The initial symptoms were mild dizziness, which lasted for three days, followed by the onset of headaches and sore throat. Later, I started to feel short of breath, resembling palpitations, possibly due to wearing a mask while working. I experience episodes o...


Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the current pandemic situation, the first consideration should be the possibility of a COVID-19 infection. It is advisable to perform a rapid test; if the result is negative, it could be due to orthostatic hypotension or anemia. I recommend measuring your blood pr...

[Read More] Understanding Dizziness and Headaches: Possible Causes and Concerns


Managing Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: Impact on Eye Health

Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease Hello Doctor: I have severe chronic kidney disease and have not yet started dialysis. I also have anemia; previously, I received erythropoietin injections every two weeks, but for the past two months, I have been receiving them weekly. Recently, d...


Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
Based on your description, it seems you have stage 5 chronic kidney disease complicated by anemia, which is why your physician prescribed erythropoietin (a blood-boosting injection) to help stimulate your own red blood cell production. This erythropoietin injection is intended to...

[Read More] Managing Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease: Impact on Eye Health


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