Lymph % Lymph numbers are in NORMAL RANGE on my new blood labs

[Ilovemydaisy12]

I was diagnosed with CLL in 2017 & described as a good prognosis from tests given. I have not had any treatment and my LABS have been stable. Lymph numbers right around 58-60 since 2017. Today I had my blood drawn & my LABS are in NORMAL RANGE right around 40.Is there any probable reason for this?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Thank you for sharing your good news! As you note, you had the most favourable prognostic markers when you were diagnosed 7 years ago "CT SCAN ( everything normal), FAVORABLE,13 positive for deletion, p53 negative for deletion, no expression of CD38, IGVH mutated." In other words, 13q del, CD38 negative, mutated IGHV and no TP53 deletion. You also previously shared that "My oncologist said I most likely have had it since 2012." So you've always been a strong contender to fall into the approximately 30% of us who never need treatment and perhaps even the ~2% of those with mutated IGHV, who enjoy a spontaneous remission. (Unfortunately cases of spontaneous remissions are very rare in those who are IGHV unmutated.)

When we have CLL, it's very important to ignore the percentage of lymphocytes and other white blood cells and instead look at absolute counts. That's because it's the absolute number of white blood cells that protect us from infections and CLL distorts the percentages, both during watch and wait as the CLL cells in our blood usually come to dominate the lymphocyte count in our white blood cell differential, then again in treatment, when they and other white blood cells can fall dramatically. You've previously reported a low lymphocyte count for someone with CLL and today that your "LABS are in NORMAL RANGE right around 40" (%). If all your absolute counts are in the normal range, then celebrate your good fortune, particularly if you and your specialist are not aware of any swollen nodes, spleen, or other signs of CLL. Long may that continue.

Most people post when they have some health concern, so thanks too, for encouraging everyone that there are indeed members who can live long lives without ever needing treatment for their CLL. It's also refreshing to hear that good news without you attributing it to specific efforts to slow/reverse CLL. I've noted that many who claim that doing/taking/having alternative treatment 'X' is responsible for their good outcome, also tend to have very good prognostic markers, should they decide to share them.

Neil

[Ilovemydaisy12 in reply to AussieNeil]

Yes, Thank you for your response Neil. I do take a supplements. I did meet with a naturopath who had appointments in my oncologist office and I have followed her regimen. Vitamin D, Resveratrol, Vitamin C, a good multivitamin, quercetin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E,

Omega 3's. I dont take them everyday but at least 3 times per week. They are made & manufactured here in the USA and labels a naturopath would use.

I do try to eat vegan/organic most of the time. I drink beet & pomegranate juice. I drink water & green tea.

Also my Drs are all on board with me. I have not had any vaccinations other than the pneumonia shot. I tend to get respiratory infections. I had covid 3 times & needed antibiotics because I go into bronchitis and after that I was not sick for 1 year. Just recently I contacted a very bad respiratory infection. I have a pulmonologist that prescribe's me what I need via mychart as soon as I am sick.

Yes my absolute counts (ALC) are in range. I will see my oncologist next week to go over my test results. I have not had a CT scan since 2020 or 2021. The last one was normal & no significant findings of disease.

I do ask for additional blood tests to be completed such as Vitamin D & ferritin. My ferritin is low but in RANGE. We will discuss this at my next appointment.

I will review your response and look over my beginning test/prognosis markers. There are a few you listed I don't recognize.

I do not know of any lymph nodes that are swollen. My oncologist checks me and feels my spleen area. I don't have night sweats.

I also walk regularly.

[LeoPa in reply to Ilovemydaisy12]

Blood counts being in range does not necessarily mean that the CLL is gone. Mine were still in range for several years while I already had monoclonal cells in my blood. Are they planning to do a flow cytometry test to confirm that there are no clonal cells among your B cells?

[Ilovemydaisy12 in reply to AussieNeil]

I don't see in my chart any info on TP53 deletion. I do see p53. ALL results is as you stated. I see Lymph # & %, as well as MONO, EOS, BASO #'S & #'S. ALL are in NORMAL RANGE. I don't see specifically ALC. I see ANC in NORMAL RANGE. This is how all my blood labs read.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Ilovemydaisy12]

Then indeed your prognostic markers have correctly predicted your indolent path with CLL

Oh for standardisation in blood test results! '#' means absolute vs '%' for percentage. So Lymph# is your absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). It's actually rather unusual to see ANC stated; it's usually stated as Neut# or Segs#.

The terms TP53 and P53 for "the guardian of the genome" are used interchangeably. The gene concerned is found on the petite (small) arm of chromosome 17, so that anyone with 17p del is likely missing this very important gene. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P53

Neil

[Living_and_Learning]

Neil, I just wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU for giving such thorough and informative answers on this forum. I have learned so much from you. You are truly appreciated!