in: Rosstopher; Rosstopher > 2010-02-03;
| # Posted 2010-02-04 08:23:47 | |
| GlenT: | http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp/me... |
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| # Posted 2010-02-05 00:14:23 | |
| Rosstopher: | Thanks Glen, that answers things perfectly. looking at the real numbers, my CBC is pretty similar to PGs ... I consider that good company! |
| # Posted 2010-02-05 19:07:52 | |
| ParkSchool: | Mildly low WBC counts generally don't concern MDs unless they are seen in the setting of acute severe illness (in which case they may indicate an overwhelming of the body's immune response) or in association with low RBC and platelet counts, in which case they may indicate some degree of bone marrow suppression. Hydration status is certainly capable of diluting the cellular components of your blood, but this dilution rarely lasts for long even after aggressive rehydration assuming the kidneys are functioning normally. I have essentially no experience dealing with highly conditioned athletes, so I am neither able to confirm or refute Sandra's assertion in PG's log that plasma volume tends to increase in elite athletes. Nevertheless, I can confirm that plasma volume is certainly enhanced greatly by certain physiologic stimuli (pregnancy being the most frequent in my personal experience), so it is certainly plausible that an athlete who subjects his body regularly to dehydrating influences may have stimulated hormonal controls that tend to result in an increased plasma/fluid reserve. If you are at all concerned, I am certainly happy to take a look at the details of your lab values and render my professional opinion. |
| # Posted 2010-02-06 03:31:14 | |
| BP: | Good advice from the prior thread and Jeff's commentary regarding normality for an endurance athlete. Only thing I would add is that well-trained endurance athletes (both genders) can and do run lower Hemoglobin (Hb) and red cell (MCV, MCHC) parameters for a variety of physiologic reasons including as noted by Sandra, a higher blood volume at steady-state (a good thing for oxygen carrying capacity and blood viscosity) - in fact a lower limit of normal for Hb concentration in athletes is often considered to be 1 point lower than the usual population based reference ranges. Additionally there is often relative iron deficiency as noted by low MCV and MCHC values: actual values may warrant evaluation of iron status. Take Jeff up on his offer, but be guided by how you feel and if in doubt get a repeat CBC (+/- ferritin to assess iron stores) to get a true baseline. |
| # Posted 2010-02-06 22:02:03 | |
| Joe: | my MPV values have been consistently low (last 3 tests over last 3 years). doctor says my platelet count is fine and that it may be normal for me, but I can't help think something may be wrong. anyone have a similar experience? |
| # Posted 2010-02-06 22:42:46 | |
| ParkSchool: | Joe, I very much doubt that your low MPV (mean platelet volume) is a problem you should be worried about. High MPV values tend to be associated with thrombosis (clot formation) and consequently increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, but typically platelet counts (and presumably MPV values as well) have to fall substantially below the normal ranges before we see clinical evidence of the opposite extreme of spontaneous uncontrolled bleeding. If I remember correctly, platelets tend to shrink some as they age, so perhaps your proportionately small platelets are simply heartier than average and are sticking around long enough to drop the mean size below the norm. |
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