MBL numbers going up

[Freeskier989]

Just had my yearly labs and my WBC increased from 10 to19 and my absolute lymphocytes 7.6 to 12. Everythng else looked pretty good, normal range. Could this be a blip (just got over bad a-topical dermatitis on three spots for weeks before resolving a week before labs. Any cause for concern? Im only 50 so feels like eventually i may have CLL.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Freeskier989,

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While a change like that looks really scary compared to the normal range of ALC, for CLL patients it is relatively small, and might be followed by a retest in 3 months to prove whether the dermatitis caused an immune response. Most CLL expert doctors will track the ALC and when it exceeds 30 they begin to watch for doubling in 6 months or less.

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If you next test shows a drop back to your past lower range, then most doctors would keep you in the MBL category. If the next test is similar to the current results then you may be graduating to the CLL diagnosis and your office visits may be more frequent.

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In any event you will likely remain on watch & wait, and it may still be several years before CLL symptoms would be anticipated. So take a deep breath and try to relax.

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Len

[Freeskier989 in reply to lankisterguy]

After a little more research, i found that the steroid cream i was given for it and using three times a day can raise WBC count. This may be the reason, i stopped the cream about 5 days or so before testing, so could have contributed...... will see what my doc says tomorrow.

[Pacificview]

Well, get another CBC with differential in 3 months to check if it drops back down. Its the trend that were looking for over the course of time.

I had a tooth absess while we were on lockdown. A node swelled and my numbers jumped a smidge. Checked a couple months after the dental work and the numbers dropped a bit and the node was back to normal. Checked again a week ago and i am up from 7 to 9.4 ALC and 10.2 to 13.8 WBC etc.

Then two days ago i woke up with a swollen lymph node under my jaw. I have been on watch and wait for two years....high count mbl. I feel absolutely fine and healthy.

So, should i worry? No, thats the specialist job...

I see Dr. Brander at Duke University. Next visit is in early February. I will either have higher numbers or I wont. I will either have swollen nodes or I wont. I have followed this group for two years and one thing is clear. There are a lot of good treatments available now for us. Thats when the time comes that our specialist who we trust says its time.

[Freeskier989 in reply to Pacificview]

Very good words. They have ordered me another Flow test and are also going to do a FISH. All that will tell if im still in MBL territory and what my markers may be..... Will get those results end of next week.

[Pacificview in reply to Freeskier989]

All the best to you. This is one of those things in life we cant control, but just respond to....