Blood Disorders Forum - Acanthocytes

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Q: Acanthocytes

asked by: aguess on March 14th, 2009

New User

I was looking at my blood under a microscope in A P class and I noticed that most of my RBCs were spikey. I am anemic, I have raynauds, and I have livedo reticularis on both legs and my left arm. I used to run but I quit, breathing problems just got too bad. Doctors did think that I had lupus(I have many signs and symptoms), but at the moment I am undiagnosed with anything. My doctor never told me that I had acanthocytes so I wonder if he even knows. Please tell me what you know. thanks already -aguess

Replies(3)

tbirk

replied on April 26th, 2009

New User

acanthocytes

Oftentimes acanthocytes are related to heritable low cholesterol syndromes. Have you had your cholesterol levels checked? Theoretically, low cholesterol levels could lead to low cortisol production. This in turn could cause decreased conversion of T4 to T3 in the periphery - which wold lead to hypothyroid symptoms such as Reynaud's. So I would also recommend having your thyroid levels and salivary cortisol levels checked in addition to your cholesterol.

Good luck!

aguess

replied on July 6th, 2009

New User

tbirk thanks so much for answering, I will surely keep what you said in mind especially since I am just now(next week) going back to my doc.I've never had my cholesterol checked. I had no idea that one could have low cholesterol and it would be a problem! Once again thank you.

aguess

replied on September 3rd, 2009

New User

Well the new discovery is that I have atrophic gastritis(I forgot to ask the cause). Given that, I requested a blood test for b12. The nurse said that I had one several months before, that landed in the middle of normal, but she agreed to have me do another. we will see in a month I guess. Thanks for reading I'll give you an up date one of these days.

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