Transformation

... has absolutely nada to do with basketball in my world. It's been kinda crazy, and I'm still lacking in the energy department, although I don't ALWAYS feel tired now.

I went for a follow-up with the doc and thought I'd post an update. The good news is there is a marked improvement in my numbers. The bad news is... it isn't much.

My blood count went up from 8.5 to 9.4 (should be 12.5). My iron went up from 16 to 21 (should be between 40 and 130). And, I don't have the numbers, but apparently, I don't have very much in the way of "stored" iron -- that is, when our natural iron levels get low, we have a bit of back-up iron that helps out. The doctor said she was very worried and we would need to work to raise that as soon as possible.

I have an appointment to see a hematologist on 4/11 regarding the Alpha Thalassemia. You'll know more when I do.

I plan to pick up on my blogging again, so you should see more in April than you did in March. We'll just see how it goes. =)

It has been confirmed that I have low-iron anemia. But what was also discovered is that I am also "probably" genetically predisposed to it. I have either Thalassemia or Alpha-thalassemia, both mild and not prone to generate typical anemic symptoms, according to my PCP (primary care physician). However, because my iron levels got low, anemia developed and - tah-dah! - I'm now required to take medication.

I have to visit a gynocologist next week to make sure that there are no... erm... "womanly" causes for the iron-drop. And I am expecting a call today or tomorrow to confirm my appointment with a hemotologist (a blood guy, for all you laymens) to confirm my PCP's diagnosis on the Thalassemia. Gah, what a mouth-full.

Just a few fun facts about my visit:

Downside - my iron was VERY low, per my bloodwork. Average iron levels in a person are between 40 and 175. I was a whopping 16. (Oh the joy of being special, right?)

Upside - I've lost four (4) pounds since my last visit two weeks ago. I don't know if it's because I'm avoiding wheat or if I've been on such restrictive terms for the last week and a half while trying to get the tests done for the doc. Still... four pounds is four pounds. Rejoice and be glad in it.

Now, just for the fun of it, I looked the thalassemia terms up via Google and found their definitions. (thanks, medterms.com!)

Thalassemia: Not just one disease but rather a complex series of genetic (inherited) disorders all of which involve underproduction of hemoglobin, the indispensable molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The globin part of hemoglobin is made up of 4 polypeptide chains (usually 2 chains of one type and 2 chains of another type of chain). In thalassemia, there is a mutation (change) in one of the types of globin chains. Depending upon which globin chain is affected, the mutation typically leads to underproduction (or absence) of that globin chain, a deficiency of hemoglobin, and anemia.

Alpha Thalassemia: The problem in the thalassemias is with globin production. The thalassemias are classified according to the type of globin polypeptide chain that is underproduced. The alpha chain is involved in alpha thalassemia (and the beta chain is affected in the more familiar beta thalassemia).
In alpha thalassemia, the heterozygous state (with a single gene for alpha thalassemia) is innocuous or harmless. There are no symptoms or at most mild anemia, because there is another gene still able to make alpha chains.

So... yeah. Very techinical, but you get the gist. There was a pretty interesting question-based article on the same site: Alpha Thalassemia. It goes into the terminology and helps to better understand it all, starting with plain ol' thalassemia. If you're interested, please go read. It's not very much, but it talks more about my (dun-dun-DUN) condition. (ha, gotta love the drama)

Also, I'm about half-way through a book I should've read years ago, but just got around to it: On Writing by Stephen King. It's about - surprise! - writing. This is a fantastic book. Why would I think differently? Very original, though. The guy is just... He's my favorite author.

Well, anyway, I'll write a review and put a few of my favorite snippets soon. Expect a post by the end of the weekend, or by Monday at the very latest.