Latest CBC

[AAli]

My WBC jumped in one month to 184000 from 124000. RBC and HB just in normal range (although lower end). Lymphocytes are 99% and neutrophils just 1%. My oncologist advised to repeat test after 04 weeks. 02 months back my WBC touched 190000 and then dropped to 124000.

My oncologist is right in his approach???

Regards

[AussieNeil Partner Founder Admin]

Hi AAli,

You should be monitoring your Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC), not your WBC, as that will give you a better indication of how your CLL is changing. Overall trends are what's important and it looks like the amount of CLL in your peripheral blood is jumping around a fair bit, so it will take some time to determine an overall trend. (I can't tell what's really happening, because you've only provided WBC results that include lots of other white blood cells besides lymphocytes. CLL cells (cancerous B lymphocytes) are just one of the many lymphocytes you have, which includes a range of T lymphocytes and they can't be separated out in the standard blood test.)

Please forget percentages of neutrophils - your blood test results should specify the actual quantity, which is known as the Absolute Neutrophil Count.

It is normal practice for a specialist to observe your lymphocyte counts (and other blood cell counts) for trends over time and lengthen the time between tests as your specialist gets a feel for how your CLL is changing over time. You can do that too by entering your blood test results into a spreadsheet. You are welcome to use the one at the end of this page explaining what blood tests mean:

cllsupport.org.uk/cll-sll/s...

Neil

[RuthBorch]

My hematologist is doing the same and i have had similar jumps - both up and down - i have my blood checked every 4-8 weeks and see him every 8 weeks. It has been doing this the last 10 months or so. He would call it somewhat stable also. So - yes - this is consistent. Good luck.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

All of Neil's comments are right on point. Track your ALC aka Lymph# and ANC or Neut#. The percentages are only useful for calculating the ALC and ANC from automated test machines. Manual differentials may post different breakdowns and number formats.

In addition, in one or more of Susan LeClair's videos, she point to changes in blood test results for WBC, ALC and ANC due to the activity levels of the patient just before the blood draw. She suggests that running up & down stairs, jumping, strenuous exercise and possibly stress, can dislodge the White cells that normally adhere to the walls of veins and arteries during quieter periods.

Many of us see erratic numbers jumping around, so watch the overall trends of 3 or more tests plotted together or average 3+ results. The WBC and it's component numbers are NOT used for any diagnostic or treatment purposes, only to indicate the frequency of testing and observation for the onset of more serious symptoms.

[AussieNeil Partner Founder Admin in reply to lankisterguy]

Yes, it's the neutrophils that get shaken loose into our blood from the surface of our blood vessels and spleen by exercise, which to me is a marvellous adaptation of our body to ensure we have more first responder white blood cells readily available when we are most likely to injure ourselves!