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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Folate/Cabalamin Levels
| I took the advise of a previous thread (Patrices advise I think it was) and had Tessy's Folate, Iron and Cabalamin levels cheched out. I was expecting these levels to be on the low side if anything but it turns out I was wrong. Here's her results: Cobalamin 334 pg/ml (249-733) Iron 281 ug/dl (65-125) Folate 24 ng/ml (6.5-11.5) I guess my question is are these levels alright considering the sickness or should I be concerned and worried. I've read that high iron levels are a bad thing but other that that I'm lost. Should I avoid all foods high in iron now? Should I change Tessy's diet? Since her cobalamin is in the normal range is there still a need to supplement this? Has anybody else had to deal with high iron and folate? I'm just sooo confused with these results and what they mean, if I should be worried, or if there's something I'm missing or should be doing differently. Any advise would be great. Thanks, Johnny & Tessy |
| Johnny |
| Johnnie, I am interested the iron level question and responses because Wylie according to her vet was on the high side and said it showed in the MCHC numbers, I dont show a separate specific iron reading so he said to stop her iron supplement. This is what I had written down MCHC Too High: Rule out spherocytosis (the cells are old and not being replaced as often), and in vitro or in vivo hemolysis. A high MCHC means there is too much hemoglobin, indicating a high iron level, which can be just as damaging as a low iron level Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Johnny, Is Tessy showing any signs of being ill? Diarrhea, vomiting, weakness? What did your vet say about this high level of iron? I am not sure what the upper level of iron would have to be at to be considered a toxic level. But iron toxicity in dogs is a very serious thing because they are unable to efficiently eliminate excess iron in the same way humans do. If your vet did not seem alarmed, then perhaps this was an incorrect reading. If enough red blood cells are accidentally destroyed by rough handling when collecting and working with a blood sample, its possible that the iron value could be artificially high because of the "spilled" hemoglobin in the sample. I would call the vet or the lab about this value. Cobalamin and Folate are water soluble vitamins and any excess is generally excreted in the urine. If this is an accurate number, I would follow the vet's advice about treatment and diet. Set aside any supplements for now that contain iron until you are sure that things have returned to normal. Be cautious with red meat for a few days as well. Please update us patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
This thread was discussed between 15/06/2009 and 16/06/2009
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