Labs back on my progressing cll ...thoughts.

[Todd52]

Ive been concerned my cll is transforming into Richter's. I just got back two lab numbers.

LDH is normal at 134 (87-241 normal)

Uric acid is elevated at 7.6 (3.5 to 7.2)

Can I infer anything based upon my richters concerns ?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

LDH is usually multiple times the upper limit if you develop Richters. Cllcanada can add more, but I would suggest your concerns are not supported by these numbers.

Neil

[Todd52]

My new oncologist wasn't available but through his nurse he said not to be concerned with the minimally high uric acid number.

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Todd52]

Is there a possibility you have gout Todd which would explain the high Uric acid levels?

Your LDH level seems very reassuring from my understanding though I appreciate you're very concerned at the moment. I don't have a sense that your oncologist is overly concerned about the possibility of Richters from what you've said. Are you not under the care of a haematologist?

Newdawn

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

I agree with Neil... there is no indication from this that there has been a transformation...using standard indicators... but I'm not a doctor.

Also most RT patients are very ill feeling, like a very bad flu.

My advise is don't get bogged down in the minutia of the numbers, look at the bigger picture over time and track trends, if you want... test to test bloodwork will vary a lot.. no indication that things have gone south...

~chris

[Todd52]

I think that's sound advice. Admittedly I'm sensitive to richters because my brothers CLL transformed when he was 52 (I just turned 52) and he was gone 8 months later.

Thank you for reassuring me. I know nothing is certain.

I do have a local hemotologist and I'm under the care of dr byrd. However my normal hemotologist is on an extended vacation so I am using a local fill in.

[newyork8]

My uric acid also ran a little high. I think a possibility is that your immune system is killing some bad cells releasing uric acid. Check kidney function. You can treat high uric acid with Allopurinol if it is an issue causing kidney problems.