Concerning blood results

[Hanneesweedie]

Hi was wanting some support and advice from everyone on here. My blood platelets are elevated, my mean cell volume is down. After looking at blood under the microscope it’s been said that I have lymphocytosis with occasional abnormal lymphocytes and hypochromic microcytosis. These levels have been slowly rising for a while now, although I think the raised lymphocytes is a new thing and also my ESR. Any ideas what this could be? My go was wondering if it could be related to my GI issues but stool samples have come back clear. I’m terrified it’s cancer and that they’re messing around and not taking action.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

A flow cytometry test might shed some light on the subject... but often things can take time to get sorted out...

~chris

[Hanneesweedie in reply to Cllcanada]

Yeah, I’m quite a health worrier so it’s not knowing what’s causing my blood results to be out of range in a number of areas that’s bothering me.

[AussieNeil Administrator]

You haven't mentioned any symptoms or provided actual test measurements and I'm not medically trained, but the balance of probabilities is that you have some underlying infection causing your anomalous blood test results rather than blood cancer, as these are rare. This community supports those with the most common adult blood leukaemia. Even so, it has orphan product development status so that pharmaceutical companies will develop drugs for the small market.

From what you have shared, something is affecting your red blood cell production, but if it was a blood cancer, your platelet counts would be far more likely to be low, not elevated. (Your lymphocytosis is presumably why you are thinking along this line, but that is more likely in response to an infection, as is your raised ESR). I'm not familiar enough with how solid tumor cancers affect blood test results to comment.

For peace of mind you could request a (blood) flow cytometry test to check if you have a blood cancer and a full body contrast PET scan to see if you have any solid tumors, but I'd say that your doctor is going with the balance of probabilities in not taking this path, given your symptoms.

Neil

[Hanneesweedie in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks, I’m just so tired and achey at the moment. Plus I’ve noticed tingling and numbness in my hands and legs.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer]

Tired and achy could very well be a symptom of some kind of infection and the tingling could be any number of things including orthopedic issues. Have you changed something at work, added more gardening, or changed your exercise routine? Are you not sleeping well or snoring which wakes you up? Different bed? Any bug bites recently? You don't say how long "a while" is or how high or low your counts are. Higher or lower than your normal, or out of range, and if out of range, by how much?

You can make yourself sick worrying about things, especially if you start looking to Dr. Google for answers or making assumptions. If your doctor isn't giving you answers get a second opinion. If you are working with a general practitioner, and your labs are out of range, not just bouncing around in range, ask to see a hematologist, and, as Chris suggested have a flow Cytometry test done.

Hopefully this is something minor that will resolve over time. If not I hope you find a doctor who can give you concrete answers. Don't be afraid to change doctors if you feel you are just being written off, but you said you are a health worrier, so dont write off your doctors if you are getting logical answers.

Let us know what you find out. If it involves personal information you might want to start a new post and restrict it to community only.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hi,

you have given us very little information and it would have been helpful to know your age, if you smoke and what your GI issues are.

However, from what you have said, you may have two unrelated issues here.

The raised lymphocytosis and occasional abnormal lymphocyte with a raised ESR would fit with a viral infection (occasionally parasites such as toxiplasmosis can also give the same result).

The low MCV, microcytic red cells and raised platelet count could indicate that you are bleeding, perhaps small amounts intermittently and probably from your GI. Stool samples don't always show positive.

You need to follow both things up with your Dr.