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Correlation between peripheral neuropathy and low RBC?
Neuropathy | Last Active: Sep 1 11:09am | Replies (80)Comment receiving replies
Hello!
Has anyone ever discovered a correlation between their PN and a low red blood cell count (RBC)? A year ago (August 2022), I received a dx of idiopathic sensory/motor PN. So far, my only symptoms are terrible balance, especially after prolonged sitting, and instability (along with some leg weariness) while walking even the shortest distances (1/2 city block).
Subsequent to my PN dx (April 2023), it was found that I also have a low RBC. I've seen a hematologist about my low RBC. I did lab work twice at his direction, last May and only last Tuesday. Both times, the results showed four lines out-of-range; last Tuesday, three were low (Creatinine 0.74, Sodium 130, Carbon Dioxide 19), and one was high (Free Kappa Light Chains 21.3).
I plan to ask my neurologist and my PCP if there might be a correlation between these lab results and my PN. (The hematologist doesn't think so.) I suspect they'll say no. Nonetheless, I'm curious: Have any of you ever found yourself with a dx of both PN and a low RBC, and was any correlation ever discovered? I'd welcome anyone's insights on this.
Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)
Replies to "Hello! Has anyone ever discovered a correlation between their PN and a low red blood cell..."
I have both idiopathic PN and large red blood cells (Macrocytic anemia). My rbc count is also low. I’ve had it a long time and my neurologist isn’t interested in it as a possible cause, but some anemias are known to be causal so your mileage may vary.
Fwiw, I think it’s logical that even a mild, long term condition like that could cause a slowly developing case of neuropathy - and that modern medical practice would ignore it; They’re only interested when the causality is incontrovertible. Best of luck with your case.
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I have the same type of neuropathy and my red blood cell's are a mess. My count is low and my cell's are very large. My hemoglobin is also low. All things related to my red blood cell's are either really low or very high. I do believe that there is a connection but my pcp just says that my red blood cell's are fine? But they aren't. Same with my b-12. I have to take a b-12 injection of 100 mcg just to keep it in the normal range.