Blood-related Problems

[happiestgirl]

Hi! I've been dx'ed with Celiac for a little over 2 months now, but I think that some kind of something may be coming to a head on my bloodwork. I have been anemic since I was a child, but it is getting progressively and progressively worse. I have family history or both blood and bone cancers. My Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are plummeting, moreso since I have been gluten-free. Is this normal?

Ok, let me back up. My latest numbers are as follows: Hemoglobin:7.4, Hematocrit:27.0, MCV:65, MCH:19.6.

Now. my Platelets are beginning to balloon. On the same set of lab results, my Platelets are 579.

I also had a differential reviewed and confirmed. It stated moderate hypochromasia, and slight microcytosis.

And, of course, both my celiac-glandin things are both positive.

What I am wondering is this: Do you, my fellow celiacs, have the same type results on your Hemo's and Platelets? And should I be tested for other possible anti-immune diseases (like lupus), since I already have one auto-immune disease? I may sound like I am rattling, and maybe I am. It IS late, but I know I'm lucid. I don't want to be the hypochondriac here, but I would sure appreciate any input from anyone with celiac who may (or may not) have simnilar test results and problems.

Thanks for listening and I pray that you are all richly blessed in all your endeavours.

jenn.

[trents]

Jen,

Has anyone done a bone marrow biopsy on you lately? The platelets going up are not normal for Celiac disease, though anemia is. Are you on iron supplementation?

Steve

[tarnalberry]

Lymphoma and anemia are both highly correlated to untreated celiac disease. The fact that your gliandin antibodies are still up means that you're not healed yet, so it's not surprising that you're other numbers aren't improving. If your gliandin antibodies didn't decline, you should very carefully analyze your diet, your food preparation area, and your toilettries for hidden gluten to make sure that you are actually gluten free.

[aikiducky]

Two months into the diet though might just not be enough time for the antibodies to go down... especially if you have been making little mistakes and getting some gluten here and there.

Pauliina

[trents]

Just did some research and found out that high platelet counts can be caused by chronic iron deficiency. Didn't know that. That would certainly fit with you.

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Steve

[happiestgirl]

I'm not sure this helps any, I'm not a doctor so not even sure this relates to what you are talking about but I'll add just in case.

I have Celiac, I also have Pernicious Anemia, Pernicious anemia is a chronic illness caused by impaired absorption of vitamin B-12 because of a lack of intrinsic factor (IF) in gastric secretions it's also associated with gastric atrophy. I also have a multitude of autoimmune diseases. I have a high sed rate which could mean just inflamation somewhere but they are not ruling out Lupus for me. My red blood cells were large and abnormally shaped.

I don't know what a Hemoglobin and Platelet is LOL but hope this helps in some way.

Thank you so very much for responding (all of you!) My GI doc told me, nay, ordered me, on Thursday to tell my Primary doc to order more tests on me ASAP, including any and all tests for any kind of autoimmune diseases. My RBC's are tiny, pale, and look like frisbees that have been held over a bonfire. My grat-Grandmother died from Bone cancer, so I guess maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to get my marrow checked, too? I don't know. I'm just scared right now and no one's telling me much. I always ask for test results (copies) so I can make sure I look up stuff that they don't tell me. That way, at least, I can be more informed.

Thank you all again. Maybe I can get to the bottom of this. I hope so, anyway. Have a most blessed night/day wherever you are!

Lymphoma and anemia are both highly correlated to untreated celiac disease. The fact that your gliandin antibodies are still up means that you're not healed yet, so it's not surprising that you're other numbers aren't improving. If your gliandin antibodies didn't decline, you should very carefully analyze your diet, your food preparation area, and your toilettries for hidden gluten to make sure that you are actually gluten free.

My GI doctor has tried to explain to me that most of my intestines, in fact, may never heal. I have seen the x-rays and etc. that thay have done, and the damage is amazing. There will be some healing, yes, but she (and the entire rest of her staff of colleagues, all agree that complete healing will never happen. And as a result, my cancer risks have gone from the usual 5-fold, to infinite. But I can live with that. I just want to know what is wrong with my blood. I feel it may be a co-runner with the celiac, but is not caused by it. Any way, it's late and I'm tired, so I am going to get a nap. Sleep sweet, all!

[ravenwoodglass]

Thank you so very much for responding (all of you!) My GI doc told me, nay, ordered me, on Thursday to tell my Primary doc to order more tests on me ASAP, including any and all tests for any kind of autoimmune diseases. My RBC's are tiny, pale, and look like frisbees that have been held over a bonfire. My grat-Grandmother died from Bone cancer, so I guess maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to get my marrow checked, too? I don't know. I'm just scared right now and no one's telling me much. I always ask for test results (copies) so I can make sure I look up stuff that they don't tell me. That way, at least, I can be more informed.

Thank you all again. Maybe I can get to the bottom of this. I hope so, anyway. Have a most blessed night/day wherever you are!

My GI doctor has tried to explain to me that most of my intestines, in fact, may never heal. I have seen the x-rays and etc. that thay have done, and the damage is amazing. There will be some healing, yes, but she (and the entire rest of her staff of colleagues, all agree that complete healing will never happen. And as a result, my cancer risks have gone from the usual 5-fold, to infinite. But I can live with that. I just want to know what is wrong with my blood. I feel it may be a co-runner with the celiac, but is not caused by it. Any way, it's late and I'm tired, so I am going to get a nap. Sleep sweet, all!

I think it is a good thing that your doctor is being through and checking all bases. A bone marrow test is not something they would do unless they find a real indication for it's need. They will be able to tell from the blood work if that is something that is indicated. It can take a long time to heal, I am four years into the gluten free life and was close to having my body shut down before it was finally found. The healing process is long, especially for those of us that were over 10 years with serious illness before it is found. The body does have amazing recouperative powers although for many of us late diagnosis folks complete healing is not possible healing to the point where life is worth living again is. Be sure to check everything you come in contact with from household glues to shampoos to hair dye to modeling clays, toiletries, cosmetics, kissing someone who is eating gluten. Even shareing a can opener is risky. It can be a bit overwhelming at first but it will be worth it.

[penguin]

Your bloodwork looks a lot like mine. They did an iron study on me because they said those blood levels (low hematocrit, small RBC's, and high platelets) are indicative of one of two things:

1: Iron deficiency anemia

2: Open Original Shared Link

Iron deficiency is caused by long term anemia, which in our cases is likely caused by celiac. With iron deficiency anemia, your platelets balloon and your red blood cells shrink. Hypochromasia means that your red blood cells aren't as red as they should be, and microcytosis means your red blood cells are smaller than they should be. Both are caused by long term anemia.

Thallesemia is a genetic blood disorder mainly affecting those of middle eastern and jewish descent. It's reasonably rare and is related to sickle cell. Usually, your MCV or MCH are ridiculously low. They do an iron study (looking at ferritin, saturation, and iron binding capacity) to see which it is, in my understanding.

Basically, eat more iron rich foods like beans and red meat, and try taking a supplement. Make sure to ask your doctor what strength of iron supplement to take.

[loraleena]

I have normal iron, but chronically low platelets - around 130,000. Recently they dipped for a couple months to 84,000, but are back up to 131. They think I have an autoimmune disorder that can destroy platelets, but my levels are fine. They will monitor me 2x year to make sure they don't go below 30,000.

I posted a while back wondering if anyone else had this? It seems like celiac cause a multitude of autoimmune disorders. I'm not sure what yours mean, but it is the opposite of what I have!

[lindalee]

Altered bile flora can lead to abnormal blood tests and elevated liver enzimes. LL