Information from MCS regarding Mom's blood test results.
Quoted from her email to me:

    I looked at the blood results and to me it looks good. The RDW is a percent of the size distribution of the red cells. It will vary as new red cells are released with abnormal sized red cells such as too small or too big, and with nucleated red cells. As nucleated red cells are released they are larger than the regular red cells. The maturation process for red cells makes them grow smaller until they are the regular size. The indices [MCV-MCH-MCHC] for the blood look good. The cells are individually the right volume and hold the right amount of hemoglobin. The hematocrit is within range, but a little lower than I might expect. This could mean that there are some smaller cells in the blood along with some larger cells, too. They would pack more -- smaller crit; and there would be a wider range of cell sizes - a larger RDW.
    What does this mean? Maybe nothing. It could mean only that her bone marrow is kicking in to correct the anemia. The low IgG could be caused by the allergies she has right now. The eosinophil count (%) is at its upper limit so I would guess she has hayfever. IgG levels can be depressed by allergies or asthma. Unless the doctor says something about these I wouldn't worry. She looks good to me! By the way the urine IFE test that Mom had was also a test for multiple myeloma - she didn't have any indication of it.

    Thank you, MCS! "I am truly happy, three times happy," [Llama Norbu, Little Buddha] and three times blessed, in a variety of unique ways, dependent on the uniqueness of each of you, in my sisters.
- posted by gail rae @ 10:23   email...this post