Abnormal red cells.

I’m totally following your logic, Ed. Besides waking up tired, you’re also exhausted during the daytime with shortness of breath upon exertion. The standard for RBC in men is 4.7 to 6.1 million/mcL. Your count is under that at 3.9 with some abnormalities in the shapes of your red blood cells. That can inhibit the oxygen carrying ability of the cell. So, along with the decrease in amount of cells, it carries to reason this could be making you tired, especially since your heart, lungs and other organs check out fine.

It just occurred to me, you might want to consider purchasing an oximeter for a few dollars at a drugstore. I’m sure you’ve had this done at the doctor’s office. It’s the little monitor that clips on your figure tip and gives an immediate reading of your blood oxygen level. You could wear it any time. Then if the readings are low, particular between the times when you’re tired or breathless, that could be useful information for you and your medical team.
When’s your sleep study?

I’m totally following your logic, Ed. Besides waking up tired, you’re also exhausted during the daytime with shortness of breath upon exertion. The standard for RBC in men is 4.7 to 6.1 million/mcL. Your count is under that at 3.9 with some abnormalities in the shapes of your red blood cells. That can inhibit the oxygen carrying ability of the cell. So, along with the decrease in amount of cells, it carries to reason this could be making you tired, especially since your heart, lungs and other organs check out fine.

It just occurred to me, you might want to consider purchasing an oximeter for a few dollars at a drugstore. I’m sure you’ve had this done at the doctor’s office. It’s the little monitor that clips on your figure tip and gives an immediate reading of your blood oxygen level. You could wear it any time. Then if the readings are low, particular between the times when you’re tired or breathless, that could be useful information for you and your medical team.
When’s your sleep study?

I am so glad you suggested a pulse oximeter. Unfortunately I live in such a rural area, I could not find one. I ordered one online. It arrived today. I just put the batteries in and took a reading. It was 83. I can't wait to see my numbers when waking up. Thank you so much. Ed

Oh wow, Ed, this may be a good bit of information to give your doctor. From my experience 83 is low and it sure can explain why you’re tired. It’ll definitely be interesting to see the numbers when you wake up. A good way to test your theory.

A couple ideas which you’ve probably already considered, check your numbers throughout the day and keep a little journal of the results, making a note of how you were feeling at the time. Were you feeling energetic, were you feeling tired, etc. Then you can look for any trends. I really hope it helps you get to the bottom of this mystery! Let me know!

I am so glad you suggested a pulse oximeter. Unfortunately I live in such a rural area, I could not find one. I ordered one online. It arrived today. I just put the batteries in and took a reading. It was 83. I can't wait to see my numbers when waking up. Thank you so much. Ed

If I’m seeing the photo correctly, the %Sp02 is the oxygen level, so it looks like that’s at 98, the other number is the heart rate. (83 beats per minute). Hope this helps!

Wow, you are truly amazing for suggesting this. I appreciate you so much. I can't wait to monitor my numbers and keep a log of them to share with my doctor. Thank you so much. Sending a big virtual hug. Ed.

That helps, @arla! I was looking at the pic on my phone and didn’t catch that. My oximeter is just reversed with heart rate at the bottom so I never even thought to zoom in and check. Well, that is much more favorable for Ed. ☺️

Thank you for catching that oversight. You recently discovered that you’re anemic and felt it was from Covid. You’re not alone in that reaction. There are several members who are also having similar symptoms. Did you also use an oximeter to check your oxygen level? After taking the iron supplements is your iron level getting back to normal?

Hi Lori! Yes I have become anemic, but I have never had covid, or at least tested positive for it. Like many people on the other board I am wondering if it has something to do with the vaccine, as I have never had a problem with anemia previously. I have been taking iron supplements for 2 months now and have not been re-tested yet. I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy which showed no evidence of internal bleeding so it doesn’t appear the anemia is from that. Yes I have used a pulse oximeter and the readings are good.