The research of Drs. Bell and Streeten shows a high percentage of people with CFIDS (remember, we are using findings from researchers studying FMS and CFIDS) have a low red blood cell count and low circulating blood volume. Since the RBC (red blood cell) is the oxygen carrier, a low RBC count would have a direct negative effect on the amount of oxygen being delivered to the tissue. A low RBC count could greatly contribute to creating a hypoxic (low oxygen) condition at the cell level.
The red blood cell is manufactured in the marrow of the bone, more specifically the marrow of the flat bones, the ribs, pelvic bones, and skull. The average life span of a red blood cell is approximately 120 days. As the red blood cells wear out they are destroyed and replaced by new red blood cells produced in the bone marrow.
Outside of bleeding or loss of blood, the RBC count could be low for one of two reasons: either the RBC's are being destroyed faster than they are being produced, or the RBC's are not being produced fast enough to replace the cells wearing out. (Sounds kind of like saying the same thing two different ways. But there is a difference.)
The first would be a condition where the the RBC's may be experiencing a premature destruction, not lasting the expected life span of 120 days. The second condition would reflect an impaired ability to replace the RBC's that last a normal life span and then are destroyed.
Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12 are all essential ingredients needed for the manufacture of red blood cells in the bone marrow. A deficiency in any one, or combination of these, would impair the ability of the marrow to produce new red blood cells.
Since people with fibromyalgia are reported to be low in vitamin B12, lets take a closer look to see if this could be a limiting factor.
Related Links |
| Disorders of the Red Blood Cells (note: not FMS specific) |