@lucyvt except for the tick bite, your story sounds very similar to mine. Unexplained fluctuations in my blood panel and my Dr. passing it of as near normal. I remi ded her that what typically happens is I hover just above the low mark to just below it for several months to a couple of years, then takes a sudden nose dive to 8.0 or so. I get a series of iron Infusions, and in a couple of months, I'm back to normal. 3 months later I'm back at the low mark. No idea why. I did learn that if it bothers you, KEEP being a squeaky wheel until you are satisfied. Be a problem until you get results and don't let the medical field off with "It's just inflammation".