Blood counts in

Jan Trinks
Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi all:

Hubby got results of blood work from GP yesterday and thyroid seems to be fine. His number for red blood cell count were: rbc 3.23; hemocrit - 26.3; and hemoglobin was 7.8. They told him to check with the oncologist which he has an appointment for Thurs. with him anyway and possibly the gastroenterologist; but he's going to let the onc. (who is also a hemotologist make the call on that). Anyway sounds like anemia he is 14 months post radiation treatment and 15 months post chemo treatments. You know me, basketcase wife. Please let me know if any of you experienced this problem and could it still be thyroid related? Thanks so much. Say a prayer for us.

Jan and Charlie Trinks

Comments

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
    jan and charlie, I've not
    jan and charlie, I've not experienced this but wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers.
    God Bless you friends,
    debbie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    TSH
    Hi Jan, have they been monitoring or testing the TSH levels? That's one of the big indicators for thyroid function.

    Prayers are with you....

    John
  • Jan Trinks
    Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
    #4
    Skiffin16 said:

    TSH
    Hi Jan, have they been monitoring or testing the TSH levels? That's one of the big indicators for thyroid function.

    Prayers are with you....

    John

    TSH
    Hi John:

    Don't know whether they've been monitoring TSH levels all along or not. But Charlie does see the onc. (who is also a hemotologist as well)and he's very thorough; I mean he's like 24/7 medicine) on Thurs. morning and the GP's office did fax blood counts to his office. Other than the rbc, hemoglobin and hemocrit; the rest of the blood work was fine and the nurse said the thyroid was fine although she did say something was a little elevated but still in the normal range; so don't know whether this may be the forerunner of thyroid problems or not but should find out something Thurs. morning. You may remember my previous posts when he had platlet problems earlier; so now we're into red blood cell thing I guess. I have always been such a worry wart and he is my world (we have no children) and unfortunately I lost my teaching job mainly due to political type things that go on at a school and a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde principal. Fortunately they are paying me through August and ins. goes through Sept. After that I'm looking at unemployement. Sorry for rambling. Thanks for your prayers and ours are with you.

    Jan and Charlie
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Jan Trinks said:

    TSH
    Hi John:

    Don't know whether they've been monitoring TSH levels all along or not. But Charlie does see the onc. (who is also a hemotologist as well)and he's very thorough; I mean he's like 24/7 medicine) on Thurs. morning and the GP's office did fax blood counts to his office. Other than the rbc, hemoglobin and hemocrit; the rest of the blood work was fine and the nurse said the thyroid was fine although she did say something was a little elevated but still in the normal range; so don't know whether this may be the forerunner of thyroid problems or not but should find out something Thurs. morning. You may remember my previous posts when he had platlet problems earlier; so now we're into red blood cell thing I guess. I have always been such a worry wart and he is my world (we have no children) and unfortunately I lost my teaching job mainly due to political type things that go on at a school and a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde principal. Fortunately they are paying me through August and ins. goes through Sept. After that I'm looking at unemployement. Sorry for rambling. Thanks for your prayers and ours are with you.

    Jan and Charlie

    Thyroid
    Jan, from my experience, they usually don't test the TSH levels during the regular CBC tests. Each time I had the TSH testing, I had to go specifically for that and it wasn't at the Chemo Center.

    It is possible they are, not sure. TSH is one of the indicators. I know mine has been getting higher each time, that's a sign of damage. I started off around 1.8, then in the 3+ levels, now it's just under 5. There are different ranges being used as normal, anywhere from 0.3 - 3.0 to 0.5 - 5.0.

    Some symptoms are fatigue (which we all tend to suffer from the chemo and rads) anyways, LOL. I think weight gain, chills and other indicators I believe. I know my chemo doctor isn't concerd as of yet. She says there are other tests and indicators to confirm.

    Also, from my understanding, the tyhroid is easily controlled through meds. But once you are on them, I believe it becomes basically a way of life.

    John
  • Jan Trinks
    Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Thyroid
    Jan, from my experience, they usually don't test the TSH levels during the regular CBC tests. Each time I had the TSH testing, I had to go specifically for that and it wasn't at the Chemo Center.

    It is possible they are, not sure. TSH is one of the indicators. I know mine has been getting higher each time, that's a sign of damage. I started off around 1.8, then in the 3+ levels, now it's just under 5. There are different ranges being used as normal, anywhere from 0.3 - 3.0 to 0.5 - 5.0.

    Some symptoms are fatigue (which we all tend to suffer from the chemo and rads) anyways, LOL. I think weight gain, chills and other indicators I believe. I know my chemo doctor isn't concerd as of yet. She says there are other tests and indicators to confirm.

    Also, from my understanding, the tyhroid is easily controlled through meds. But once you are on them, I believe it becomes basically a way of life.

    John

    TSH Levels
    Thanks John. I'll tell hubbby. I have to go by the doctor's office tomorrow for him to get a note for work and I'll ask for a copy of the blood work if I can.

    Jan and Charlie
  • Jan Trinks
    Jan Trinks Member Posts: 477
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Thyroid
    Jan, from my experience, they usually don't test the TSH levels during the regular CBC tests. Each time I had the TSH testing, I had to go specifically for that and it wasn't at the Chemo Center.

    It is possible they are, not sure. TSH is one of the indicators. I know mine has been getting higher each time, that's a sign of damage. I started off around 1.8, then in the 3+ levels, now it's just under 5. There are different ranges being used as normal, anywhere from 0.3 - 3.0 to 0.5 - 5.0.

    Some symptoms are fatigue (which we all tend to suffer from the chemo and rads) anyways, LOL. I think weight gain, chills and other indicators I believe. I know my chemo doctor isn't concerd as of yet. She says there are other tests and indicators to confirm.

    Also, from my understanding, the tyhroid is easily controlled through meds. But once you are on them, I believe it becomes basically a way of life.

    John

    TSH Level
    Hi John:

    Got copy of hubby's blood work from GP today for him to take to onc. tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know that the TSH level is 4.150 which they consider normal. However the range this lab uses is 0.450 to 4.500. Now as I said earlier his oncologist is also a hemotologist and don't know whether they've been keeping on the TSH levels or not. But anyway, look to me like that 4.150 would be beginning to creep up to high side of normal. But then what do I know? Thanks and will let y'all know what the onc. says tomorrow.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #8
    Jan Trinks said:

    TSH Level
    Hi John:

    Got copy of hubby's blood work from GP today for him to take to onc. tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know that the TSH level is 4.150 which they consider normal. However the range this lab uses is 0.450 to 4.500. Now as I said earlier his oncologist is also a hemotologist and don't know whether they've been keeping on the TSH levels or not. But anyway, look to me like that 4.150 would be beginning to creep up to high side of normal. But then what do I know? Thanks and will let y'all know what the onc. says tomorrow.

    Ranges and Other Indicators
    My Chemo MD is also a Hemotologists, I need to ask her about mine when I go in for a port flushing next week.

    She hasn't seen mine now pushing 5 that I know of. I know in the past that she has told me that TSH is only one indicator and test, that they're others that she'd do before going to meds....

    JG

Discussion Boards