MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 19, 2013) – Philippine Senator Miriam Santiago was diagnosed Friday with a chronic bone marrow disorder, resulting in low blood cell count, known in layman’s term as “slow bone marrow,” the official Philippines New Agency reported.
It said the finding the diagnosis came out a day after Santiago suffered a mild stroke, the state media said.
Santiago ran a series of blood tests at the Philippine Heart Center where results showed she has abnormally low red blood cells and low haemoglobin, a protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts of the body.
When haemoglobin is low, the blood cannot carry an adequate supply of oxygen, causing fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and other symptoms.
Other results of her blood tests are also dismal. Santiago has high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and very high LDL (known as “bad” cholesterol), possibly aggravated by a recent bout with hypothyroidism.
A high cholesterol count increases the risk of atherosclerosis, and thus increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Other findings showed Santiago suffers from high calcium, high uric acid, and high blood urea.
Santiago has authorized both the Philippine Heart Center and her staff to release copies of her blood test results to media. (Jelly Musico)
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