AlC Falls ?

Hi Everybody,

My latest blood work shows a fall in my ALC number from 61 to 55 in the month. A slight fall but still happy. Other readings seem stable.

My Oncologist has asked for a CT on the abdomen because of a nagging pain below the rib cage and lower abdomen.

Chheers to all.😷

Joffre

[Newdawn Administrator]

Hi Joffre, looking at your ALC, it's fluctuating only marginally so I wouldn't be too concerned. In real terms, with all other lab results within reasonable range, an 8/10 point fluctuation isn't remarkable. It's hard however not to see 'the scores on the doors' as being really significant but I can see from your posts that yours have dropped as well as rising at times. Transient infection, exercise, water intake and even differing lab techniques can affect the outcome of our levels.

My haematologist tends to use ultrasound to check out my spleen but perhaps your specialist wants a closer look at your abdomen using CT. The nagging pain you describe does sound to be in the region of the spleen. I'm wary of too many CT scans for obvious reasons.

I can remember some years ago a member having a spectacular drop in their ALC and there was speculation about a spontaneous remission. However, it turned out the pesky lymphocytes had migrated to his spleen which is somewhere they are very drawn to. I'm always aware of that possiblility now if my ALC drops (which it unfortunately never does these days!).

Hope all goes well with the tests on your abdomen and spleen. Regards,

Newdawn

[Hidden in reply to Newdawn]

Hi Newdawn

Thnks for the reassurence

Joffre🤔

[johnl in reply to Hidden]

My ALC went from 124 in 11/16 dropped every mo until 5/17 when it bottomed at 48. In 7/17 it was back up to 71, but I was also DXed with Pneumonia in 7/17. All other counts ( plts hmg rbc ) remained fairly constant or only slightly improved. I don't know what it means.

john