Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 19, 2024, 04:22:33 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772785
  • Total Topics: 66296
  • Online Today: 290
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 2
Guests: 218
Total: 220

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?  (Read 3466 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« on: July 22, 2012, 03:18:59 am »
I've suffered with back problems for years and had back surgery several years ago.  Things have gotten worse, so my family doc sent me to a pain management doc.  They ordered an MRI of my lower and upper back.  I went in for the results.  As expected, the disc disease has progressed with more bulging discs, arthritis, yada, yada. 

I was looking at the MRI report tonight and came across this, which the physician assistant, who told me the results, made no mention.  It said, "The marrow signal intensity is low on the T1 and T2-weighted images suggesting extensive red marrow.  Question if the patient is anemic or other blood pathology.  Recommend further evaluation.  There is no evidence for tumor or other pathology."

I know HIV affects bone marrow, but admittedly, I'm not exactly sure how and to what effect.  On the one hand, it sounds good that it says "no evidence for tumor or other pathology."  But, it says to recommend further evaluation, and to ask me about being anemic or blood pathology.  Is this just indicative of HIV infection, and if the radiologist would have known that, would have said due to HIV infection? 

On just about every CBC, my hematocrit is just one point below normal.  So, not really anemic.  Actually, on my last CBC, I was in the normal range for the first time, I think.  My neutrophils were low for the first time, but just 2 points below normal.  And, my lymphs were high for the first time, but just 3 points above normal.

Anyone know what this means--just indicative of HIV infection, or something that suggests further evaluation?  Until I can discuss this with my doc, I have no idea what this means or suggests.  Thanks for any input.       

Offline littleprince

  • Member
  • Posts: 201
Re: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2012, 04:19:08 pm »
I've learned that it is best to not read the radiology reports. They are written to provide every possible option to your doctor. Just because something is discussed in the report it doesn't mean that you actually have that problem. The radiologist just flags the possibility for your doctor to evaluate. And they flag every possibility.

I learned my lesson after reading a CT report that said a lump was likely a secondary tumor that had spread from else where in my body. A few days of thinking I had months to live and it ends up I had a benign growth.


Offline Mishma

  • Member
  • Posts: 234
  • HIV drugs are our Allies but hardly our Friends
    • Marquis de Vauban
Re: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2012, 07:12:30 pm »
Haematopoiesis, which takes place within red marrow, is the process whereby haematopoietic stem cells give rise to all our blood cells-from red blood cells to natural killer cells and lymphocytes. Whether or not this is a concern is best discussed with your ID doctor or a hematologist, however as you indicated in your post your lab numbers are of no concern in my experience: ie, if you had much greater or lower numbers one might suspect a blood cell disorder. A bone marrow biopsy taken from your hip or sternum would put the matter of too much red marrow to rest.
2016 CD4 25% UD (less than 20). 30+ years positive. Dolutegravir, Acyclovir, Clonazepam, Lisinopril, Quetiapine, Sumatriptan/Naproxen, Restasis, Latanoprost, Asprin, Levothyroxine, Restasis, Triamcinolone.

Offline bocker3

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,285
  • You gotta enjoy life......
Re: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2012, 11:51:07 pm »
Haematopoiesis, which takes place within red marrow, is the process whereby haematopoietic stem cells give rise to all our blood cells-from red blood cells to natural killer cells and lymphocytes. Whether or not this is a concern is best discussed with your ID doctor or a hematologist, however as you indicated in your post your lab numbers are of no concern in my experience: ie, if you had much greater or lower numbers one might suspect a blood cell disorder. A bone marrow biopsy taken from your hip or sternum would put the matter of too much red marrow to rest.

I think suggesting a bone marrow biopsy, with "normal" peripheral blood tests is beyond extreme.

Ted,
I would allow the docs to evaluate your MRI report and not worry over this - I know that is at all order, but really a normal CBC is what I would focus on over what two, small, vertebra might show on a MRI.

Mike

Offline Rockin

  • Member
  • Posts: 507
Re: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2012, 11:29:05 am »
I never read any exam or test or report I do. I simply wait until I get to the doctor's office and hand it straight to him. Otherwise I might freak out over something that means nothing. That's sound advice to everybody.

Offline Mishma

  • Member
  • Posts: 234
  • HIV drugs are our Allies but hardly our Friends
    • Marquis de Vauban
Re: MRI Lab Report--Anyone Knows What This Means?
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2012, 12:00:28 pm »
Bocker 3 is correct a bone marrow biopsy is extreme given your counts-but I never suggested YOU needed one. However, when blood disorders are suspected, besides additional flow cytometry on your blood, a bone marrow is standard practice. Bone marrow biopsies sound scary but are quite routine so IF it comes to it no worries.

Radiologists like many specialties are going to cover all their bases and tend to be a little paranoid. Without additional proof of a bone marrow disorder their questions with regards to anemia or other BCD are guesswork. In all likelyhood your physician will order a repeat of the standard CBC plus a chem 20 as well as a blood smear to rule out immature blood cells (blasts).   

Rockin: It is your health. I wouldn't rely exclusively on your physicians-mine have screwed up plenty of times. Best to inform yourself (yes I know you can scare the hell out of yourself).
« Last Edit: July 23, 2012, 12:38:39 pm by Mishma »
2016 CD4 25% UD (less than 20). 30+ years positive. Dolutegravir, Acyclovir, Clonazepam, Lisinopril, Quetiapine, Sumatriptan/Naproxen, Restasis, Latanoprost, Asprin, Levothyroxine, Restasis, Triamcinolone.

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.