Help With Test Results

[Guest Kalynn]

I have quite a few "classic" signs of celiac disease, but have not experienced anemia that I know of. I am wondering, prior to going gluten-free or right before you were diagnosed, did anyone have a low "normal" result?

For example, my MCV (the one that is used to diagnose anemia) is 84. The normal limits are 81-99. I know that 84 is within those limits, but could that mean I was on the way to anemia?

I had my blood test done today, but it will be at least a week before I get the results back. Just wondering if celiac disease is the answer to so many of my questions.

[Guest BellyTimber]

In my non-expert opinion numbers should not be used to take diagnostic decisions (though they mainly are).

They should be used for additional information to the practitioner and patient about how their body works when ill and well and any implications of that for treatment/management.

In the circumstances 84 might actually be too low for you or even too high for you. Not to mention just right.

I think anaemia is not talked about with the majority of people with celiac disease and similar conditions, rightly or wrongly.

Hopefully those members with more experience and insight can give you further info.

[EvilGut]

For example, my MCV (the one that is used to diagnose anemia) is 84. The normal limits are 81-99. I know that 84 is within those limits, but could that mean I was on the way to anemia?

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As I recall, MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume, which is a measure of the size of your red blood cells. In certain anemias, it's larger than usual--ie, macrocytic anemias such as folate deficiency anemia. It can also be smaller. I learned all this years ago, so my memory may be a little off. Do a search for "mean corpuscular volume". Your value seems normal to me--it's within the normal range provided by the lab.