unexpected lab results

I had RNY in Jan 07 at 321lbs. I'm now 140ish and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl almost 14 months ago after an uncomplicated pregnancy. Other than a slight iron deficiency (I've had it most of my life, and it wasn't even concerning enough to warrant additional supplements during my pregnancy), I've never had a lab test come back abnormal. But after a recent blood draw, my doctor called to tell me that my red cell counts were 7.0 and my platelet counts were in the 70's (both are what they said were "critically low" - red cells should be 11.5-15.5 I think, and platelets should be above 140-something). I don't have any of the other numbers (white cells, etc) - I didn't think to ask at the time, nor was the information volunteered. My doctor gave me a prescription for Tandem Plus to take twice each day - an iron supplement with other additives (B, C, Zinc... something like that... I'd have to look it up - I believe the additives are supposed to help the iron absorb better). His nurse said it's not unusual for platelets to drop with a decreased red cell count, but everything I've read online suggests that it's actually RARE for a very low red cell count to lead to a low platelet count as well. I'm supposed to take the Tandem Plus for six weeks (I'm 2 weeks in...) and then retest.

A family friend who has been undergoing treatment for cancer has said that I need to push my family/primary doctor (small facility, they don't even have an infant scale because they don't see enough children patients to warrant the cost of one for their office) to refer me to a Hematologist/Oncologist ASAP instead of waiting, since (according to our family friend) low platelet counts are more often a sign of something far more serious.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? I DO think I'll give my doctor a call again Monday morning to discuss my concerns with him. I don't want to be paranoid if this is nothing more than an iron deficiency that can be treated with daily medications (although the meds make my stomach very upset), but I also don't want to postpone treatment if there's a chance this may be something more. My husband is deployed, aware of the situation, and getting more worried as time passes without answers. Suggestions? Advice? Anything is appreciated at this point...

You definitely need to see a hematologist with platelets that low and the other number you are talking about is your hemoglobin which is 7.0.  That is very low and is actually at transfusion level.  I would call for the referral immediatly.  I have low platelets also.  I started with them at 130, then they went to 120 and now they are at 100.  My hematologist is getting concerned with them at 100 and yours are at 70.  Please get it checked out.  There are many things it can be.  Don't wait.  The prescription your doctor isn't enough for a hemoglobin that low and will do nothing for your platelets.                

Low platelets are a disease unto themselves, ITP. And is usually not related to iron deficiency anemia.

Try taking your iron with fruit. Just a few bites first, then a few bites after you take it. I don't ever take iron (or any other vites) on an empty pouch.

The difference between Rx iron and OTC is not so much the dose, but yes, vit C, folic, B12, intrinsic factor, sometimes copper--the bells and whistles that iron really likes.

I have to see a hematologist about my low platelets........omg!!! I am absolutely terrified at what they might find. Ehhh! ~
I can't even put it into words how worried and fearful I am right now!!!!!!  :(
If you want to text me, that'd be so great!  Could use somebody to take my mind off this stuff.

814 823 7712
**Melissa**

Take your ph # off there and PM me with it, k?

OK, but after removing your #, remove fingers from panic buttons. I've had ITP for 30 yrs. Shortly before that, a very beloved dog died from it! Imagine MY horror, being told I had this disease nobody ever heard of but ME!

However, my dog's was acute, sudden onset.

Mine is chronic.

The way the doc described it to me in baby terms:
every day, the various vessels spring tiny leaks. EH platelets are bandaids that rush to the booboo, patch it up and we never know all this is going on.

When there are not enough, not all the booboos get patched. Some blood leaks thru to the under side of the skin. In my case, they look like cayenne pepper dots. My dog's were way bigger and way sudden, so let us not confuse ourselves.

Usually, by the time I'd get checked after I got dots, my platelets were back to normal and thus, the disease has stayed pretty well hidden for years. Every now and then, my labs would read the low end of the range, but not TOO low.

For awhile now, they've been showing low, but my hema said only if they drop below 100 does he even blink.

Hey, thanks for your reply.  how do you deal with the low platelets?  I feel just fine......I wish we could leave well enough alone!

I don't do anything. I don't feel anything. The only way I know is when I see my labs OR I get the cayenne pepper dots.

It's identified, it's on my medic alert. That's all.

Before my RNY, I was Iron Deficeint Anemic...Everything is was fine.
I had my surgery in Feb. 2009.....and in October 2009, they said my Platelets were low and I had low Iron.  Low platelets in January and February, too.  They were the same from January's testing to February's.  My surgeon said it takes a long time for the Iron levels to go back up.

I haven't really taken any kind of Iron supplements since surgery....Well, actually 650 mg a day for only 1 month this past January to February.

I am terrified to see a hematologist on the 19th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Can I ask how old you are?

If you need iron, there are several that are NOT ferrous-anything. More gentle, better absorbed.

But if platelets come in a pill, I haven't found it yet.

But then......... I think everything can be fixed with a pill.

I am 27.