posted
Wondering if anyone knows what causes an elevated MCH reading (from complete metabolic panel test) and what does it mean? Is this just another symptom of Lyme and Co?
How can this be brought back to its normal range? Diet? Supplements? Etc.?
Posts: 648 | From northeast | Registered: Feb 2009
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sutherngrl
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posted
I have this same thing. Hope someone comes along with some info. Also I have a slightly low red blood count. I think the MCH is the size of the red blood cells, but not sure.
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hshbmom
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posted
Mean Cell Hemoglobin???
enlarged cells due to low hemoglobin content in the RBCs...indicating anemia?
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
So it means anemia? Wouldn't the ferritin (Iron) tests have come back low or is this a different type of anemia? Are there different types of anemia? Red cells versus white cells? From what I can read off her test result sheet, everything else looks within normal range.
(Although her CD57 has gone even further down versus up--was 21 now is 19!)
Anyone else know more about what this is indicating, and if it is in fact anemia, why is the LLMD stating that her blood tests look normal? I would think anemia would explain a lot of why she is so fatigued.
What should I give her to help eliminate the anemia or help build up the necessary blood cells --red cells or white cells?--not sure which ones need to be increased to eliminate the anemia.
Thanks for your help!
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Please if you have elevated MCH have them check
protein. Most will not do this relying on
Hemoglobin levels only. I discovered my protein was
extremely low. Meaning it looked like something
was in the cells, big fat juicy, but it was not
protein. Which is why a lot of Lyme patients are
denied anything is wrong with them and left to be
sick. Have them check protein.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
Maybe the LLMD already tested this and that's why they are saying results look normal?
What should I look for on her test result sheet? Will it just simply list protein? Or should I be looking for some other name? And if it isn't on her results sheet, what test should I ask for, again just protein test?
Pinelady, when you discovered your protein level was low, how did you correct that? Did you just eat more protein rich foods or did you add a particular supplement, etc.? Did your fatigue abate once this was corrected?
Thank you so much.
Posts: 648 | From northeast | Registered: Feb 2009
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Pinelady
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Member # 18524
posted
I asked a doc at Nashville to find out why and how
my blood had lied all this time. Since I tested
Igenex +. He did. He checked protein. He apologized
he could not treat but could refer me to someone
who could. I owe so much to this doc. Test will say
protein. Not iron, not hemoglobin-protein.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Amanda
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posted
I have had my MCH and MCV (mean corpusuclre volume) go high. And interestingly, my CD 57s are low. I noticed that when the MCH and MCV got high, my CD 57s would go low (below 20).
The LLMD seemed to think this might be related to Babesea, or other blood parasite, but wasn't sure. Could be just coincidence.
I don't think I ever tested for protein. But I would be surprised if it was low, I eat a lot of protein. But maybe I will check this to be sure.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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timaca
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Member # 6911
posted
So based on the link she has a B12 deficiency?
She takes sublingual B12 1000mg tablets every day as well as a B-Complex.
Is there a blood test to check these levels?
I guess I'm relieved that it is "only" a B12 deficiency versus anemia, somehow anemia sounds more dangerous--would a B12 deficiency cause fatigue and/or headache?
I'm not so sure I'll be able to convince the LLMD to give her a protein test and B12 test but hopefully I can.
Thanks everyone for your help in deciphering this.
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Marz
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posted
Is your RBC low? I heard that parasites in red blood cells (babesia) can cause that combination.
ie. low RBC, high MCH
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Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
Babesea can cause fatigue and headaches. It doesn't always present as strong anemia either, the red blood cells can be just a little off.
b12 deficiency can cause anemia too.
Any type of anemia is likely to make you feel tired...
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
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Member # 6628
posted
When you say to check "protein" -- what do you mean? My MCH is always high too. Monocyctes as well.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
Doesn't mean much in isolation at all. An elevated MCV, MCH and decreased HGB would indicate macrocytic anemia. If that is the case, folate or B12 deficiency is most likely. But, an elevated MCH in isolation is meaningless. If you give me the totality of your CBC w/diff I can interpret it for you.
Posts: 99 | From Bucks County, PA | Registered: Aug 2008
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Pinelady
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posted
Oh my. Yes replace B12 the best way you can.
The subversion to the isolation is well noted.
I think most kids would prefer the sublingual over the shots.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
So, I reviewed her lab results sheet, and it looks like the MCH is elevated in isolation because her MCV is just at the cut off of being high @ 92 (with normal range being 80-92), and while the results sheet marks her MCH as high, it is just barely elevated at 31.8 with normal range being 27.3-31.7. I can't seem to find any heading of CBC w/diff. HgB (that's hemoglobin, right?) is normal at 13.4 (normal range 11.7-15.0).
So I guess I don't have to worry about this result?
I'll just continue to make sure she eats protein and iron rich foods and continues her B vitamins. Sound like an appropriate course?
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