Not sure if I am diagnosed or not

[Leshere]

I was at the Royal Brompton for a heart procedure yesterday when it was brought to a halt because of abnormal bloods. Referred to Haematologist whom I see tomorrow. WBC is 27.7 with Lymphocytes 21.6. ?CLL? Any suggestions about what should I ask the Haematologist? Not the best day in my life so far.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

You aren't diagnosed with any leukaemia yet. Your lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils are all high, indicating that perhaps an infection could be responsible. The definitive test for leukaemia/lymphoma (and which one - there are many) is a flow cytometry test. Until you have the results from that test, you just have leukocytosis (raised white cell counts), primarily caused by lymphocytosis (a raised lymphocyte count).

Per en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuko...

'Leukocytosis is very common in acutely ill patients. It occurs in response to a wide variety of conditions, including viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection, cancer, hemorrhage, and exposure to certain medications or chemicals including steroids.

:

Certain medications, including corticosteroids, lithium and beta agonists, may cause leukocytosis.'

So let the specialist do the diagnosis and meanwhile try not to worry. I suspect your specialist will want to discount other causes before investigating whether you may have blood cancer - and that may involve waiting for any infection - perhaps even one that you are unaware of (i.e. sub-clinical), to resolve, before retesting your white blood cell counts

Neil (not medically trained, but I went through a similar experience to you before I was diagnosed with CLL - and my white cell counts just kept getting worse...)

[Leshere in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil

You are right I am pre-diagnosis I also failed to mention this was my second known FBC the other dating back to 19 June 2015. WBC 15.8 Neutrophils 7.0 Lymphocytes. 7.3. There was another before then saying raised WBC. not sure it was some time ago but can remember being quizzed as to whether I had had any illnesses.

L

[ap64]

Others know a lot more about the numbers than I do. My heme wouldn't tell me which cancer I had til he received the flow cytometry results. Your lymphocytes are higher than normal by Canadian standards. Best thing is too not worry too much. Get some more info and check back with this site. The more you know the more the knowledgeable folks on this site can help you . I found I had better second and third visits with my heme. He knew more about me and I knew more about my diagnosis. Stay calm and we will support you if and as needed.

[Leshere]

Hi

Been to see the Haematologist and I am going to move over to recently diagnosed. Les

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Leshere]

It's not the outcome we'd want for you Les, but you've found a supportive community that can help you learn how to live better with your diagnosis.

Welcome, and take some time to read relevant pinned posts to you on the right, then ask any questions - we've been through this ourselves and it does get easier,

Neil

[G1llHa1n]

Welcome to the club no-one wants to join. But - it's informative and supportive certainly. Some really good CLL specialists in London so that is in your favour. Look after yourself, be kind to you and give yourself time to assimilate the diagnosis.

[virdieblue]

So sorry - we've all been there!

Virginia