Laboratory Values Assessment
These laboratory values (RBC 5.51, Hgb 16.3, Hct 47.6) are completely normal for an adult male and require no intervention or further workup in the context of pinworm infection treatment.
Normal Reference Ranges for Adult Males
- Hemoglobin (Hgb): Normal range is 13.0-16.5 g/dL at sea level, with this patient's value of 16.3 g/dL falling well within normal limits 1
- Hematocrit (Hct): Normal range is 47% ± 6% (approximately 41-53%), with this patient's value of 47.6% being perfectly normal 1
- RBC count: The value of 5.51 million cells/µL is within the expected normal range for adult males 1
Clinical Significance in Pinworm Context
Pinworm infection does not cause anemia or affect red blood cell parameters. Unlike blood-feeding helminths such as hookworms that can cause significant anemia through intestinal blood loss, pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) do not feed on blood and do not cause hematologic abnormalities 2, 3.
Key Distinctions from Other Parasitic Infections
- Hookworm infections show a linear correlation between parasite burden and declining hemoglobin levels, with infected individuals demonstrating mean hemoglobin as low as 11.8 g/dL in moderate to severe cases 4, 3
- Pinworm infections affect primarily the perianal region and intestinal mucosa without causing blood loss or anemia 2
- The main clinical manifestations of pinworm are pruritus ani, sleep disturbance, and psychological distress—not hematologic changes 2
No Anemia Workup Required
According to the National Kidney Foundation/KDOQI guidelines, an anemia workup should only be initiated when hemoglobin falls below 12 g/dL in adult males 1. This patient's hemoglobin of 16.3 g/dL is 36% above the threshold requiring investigation.
When to Investigate Anemia
- Adult males: Hgb <12 g/dL (Hct <37%) 1
- Pre-menopausal females: Hgb <11 g/dL (Hct <33%) 1
- Post-menopausal females: Hgb <12 g/dL (Hct <37%) 1
Treatment Implications
Proceed with standard pinworm treatment without any modifications based on these normal laboratory values. The approved antihelminthic agents (mebendazole, pyrantel embonate, or pyrvinium embonate) have success rates exceeding 90% and are not contraindicated by normal hematologic parameters 2.