OK, I am a 65-y-o caucasian female, who has suffered bouts of severe clinical and situational depression over the years. But … generally healthy.
Now my medical provider, who has been trying to alleviate the current depression (w/St. John’s Wort, mild official meds – formerly called z…oft, and gentle counseling) has told me that it may be caused by some weird blood problems. Some kind of anemia which is now progressing to a critical stage.
She is referring me to a hematologist. Blood M.D.
I scared. I Know You Are Not Doctors. I’m just lookin’ for some emotional support.
Meanwhile, my wonderful spouse has been diagnosed with shingles.
Ick. NOT happy campers here 
Sending you healthy thoughts, Atomic Mama.
Be cool.
He’s just looking for a blood sample, and some talk on visit #2.
There are remarkably few vampire Hematologists.
Anymore.
I know it’s scary!
But if it hadn’t been for my hematologist I would be really,
really incapacitated mentally and physically by now.
No one else had a clue what was wrong with me.
Some even suggested it was all in my head.
I am grateful I was referred to the blood doctor.
I am 62 and have Pernicious anemia (and funny shaped blood cells).
It is controlled by supplements and diet. (But before I was a real mess.)
Again, I know it’s scary, but hang on.
Also, shingles suck!
Psssst - everyone - Bosda doesn’t know. Just act cool.
Mama -
Did the meds work? That’s the biggie - whatever the root cause, sometimes treating the symptom is all that is needed. (Don’t tell the MD’s I said that :D)
I’m also 65 and have some nasties running around inside me, including anemia.
Being male, I don’t seem likely to develop depression as a result (I have other reasons for my depression 
)
As long as the meds hold, I’m cool.
A quick google shows iron-deficiency anemia may result in depression.
Do a Lance Armstrong and up your hemoglobin?
Simple iron supplement (to increase hemoglobin, I’m told Iron and B12 supplements are indicated. I quit years ago)
Hang in there. The “nice” thing about blood disorders is they’re so nice and concrete and testable. Numbers. You get numbers of Things that are too low or too high. It’s all so much more grounded than the nebulous Psych stuff that requires so much guesswork and trial and error. That doesn’t mean they’re always perfectly easy to treat, but it does mean that there’s a greater chance of a more accurate diagnosis, which is very emotionally satisfying.
Just brace yourself for all the people ready to tell you about how to get more iron. People hear “anemia”, they think iron. Not always so, and too much iron is as bad as too little iron, so let your doctor tell you what you need to supplement, not anyone else.
(Although if iron ends up being what you need - probably not, or a hemotologist wouldn’t be needed - I have some fabulous herbal suggestions. But only if you ask. 
)
I came back to bring up the iron thing.
But WhyNot did a better job than I would of.
Could be good news, if they’ve missed a diagnosis and you weren’t being treated properly.