Hi
wondered if anyone had experience of this.
my wbc has raised to 12.0 (over the 10.0 threshold)
has anyone had their wbc raise for a different reason than infection?
does a flare raise wbc ?
can stress raise the wbc ?
I don't want to keep taking antibiotics if there is no infection...but I need to be mindful
many thanks
WBC can rise due to having RA, different lab values and infection. On its own a WBC of 12 is mild and I’m sure your rheumatology team or your GP, if they are concerned, will do something about you and obviously if they feel you need anti-biotics, you need them!
Be guided by the health professionals and don’t worry unduly - lots of us have blood values which fluctuate but are not necessarily a cause for alarm taken in isolation. See your GP unless they’ve seen you and don’t rely on opinions put forward on here. We’re good but we’re not a substitute for your team!
I agree with Amnesiac. Depending on which of the white blood cells is raised it can indicate anything from bacterial, viral, parasitic infection to inflammation, autoimmune disorders and allergies. Doctors look at all the variables to decide whether it’s a concern or not so just a high WBC doesn’t give you any answers I’m afraid.
If you are having regular blood tests the laboratory keeps an eye on results & if your wbc threw up anything out of line with you recent results….they would alert you rheumy team…so try not to worry.
neither my RA cons or gp seem to check or at least they never contact me regarding them. the results have H against the wbc and neuts but nobody reviews them. they have been up and down like a yo yo for months. I had dentist work done and that seemed to raise the wbc etc.
They will be checking them lindyloo, they would contact you if there was anything they were concerned about, just because they don’t say anything doesn’t mean they’re not checked.
They won’t contact you unless it’s necessary as they just don’t have the staffing time these days. KittyJ’s right - your tests will be checked but if they’re ok and you don’t hear anything I’d stop fretting!
They don’t contact you unless there is a problem.
I have been ironically amused by the notion of RA teams. I have had blood tests several times since the condition struck and have presumed they were OK. I met the Consultant three times during the first year or so, after diagnosis at Christmas 2021.
Quite early in the RA journeyI developed blood clots in both lungs and was,briefly hospitalised, though did not feel very unwell. As a consequence I take blood thinning tablets daily.
Since then Methotrexate seems to be working. I have had a number of routine blood tests - not neccessarily related to RA. Nothing has been said about them. I presume there was no cause for alarm. I hope I would have been told, had there been.
My GP, clearly very busy, organised a recent meeting that was to do with RA. The first for a considerable time. Two days before that my heart started to misbehave, up to 100 plus per minute, rather than its usual 60-70 and he used the time to explore that. There had been a similar event of considerable irregularity some months previously.
When I saw him it was OK again. I had only thought it might be of interest at our meeting. It was, but when he pointed out that I should have seen him while it was misbehaving I found it just possible not to point out that I would have had to know, maybe three weeks in advance, when unexpected heart behaviour would occur to have any chance of that. I did say that I had told him because it was a very recent event.
He did organise a blood test and said that he would set up an appointment if there was anything of concern. That was some time ago, so I conclude that there was nothing to worry about. The RA review did not happen. I do not wish to be labelled a troublesome hypochondriac.
These are busy people, overworked. I am one of many - old, but surviving pretty well, though irritatingly diminished by the wretched disease.
On the other hand…my bloods went awry….I was hustled off to my haematologist who did a great impression of Tony Hancock's Blood Donor …arms full of the stuff was taken.
I of course Googled everything in sight on every blood test result… ..three months later….I was told …these things happen….it’s all OK.
So don’t get too hung up on blood test results…..just be grateful they sometimes do throw up something that needs attention.
Always presuming of course, you can actually get to see a docto f2f!
so inflammation itself can raise your WBC & neutrophils. If you have no signs of outward infection, I wiukk look DNR worry. I’m going through a lot with my knee at the moment, and my wbc and neutrophils are both raised, with no obvious reason. My WBC were 15, neutrophils 12. They did a repeat blood test a few days later, and they were dropping. I wouldn’t worry.
ok thanks, whats wiukk ??
Sorry, it was meant to read “ I wouldn’t worry”, not long had morphine for my severe knee pain, and forgot to proof read. 😂
strangely enough back down after to wbc 7.8 from 12.9 & neutrophils to 5.7 from 10.7
still got sore throat and mysterious lump on gum, seeing dentist tomorrow
Any inflammation raises the white cell count. Including Rheumatoid Disease activity. Unless there is an obvious source of infection, it's more likely to be that in my experience.
When my daughter has her mtx blood monitoring testing every month, the results never put the inflammation reading now, even though the request is on the blood form. I am wondering whether this is standard now?
They do not test ESR & CRP in the monthly monitoring, it’s too expensive. If your Rheumatologist asks for it every so often, the GP will authorise, especially if your symptoms change
Does this apply to 3 monthly MTX blood monitoring?
Maybe every GP surgery is different but I have been told I will only get FBC urea & electrolytes plus liver function checks with my monitoring whether that’s monthly, bi monthly or 3 monthly. The CRP and ESR will only get checked if asked for by the consultant or if there’s a change in my symptoms
Thanks
That does not sound right!
My ESR and CRP are always listed in my medication monitoring blood tests at my GP surgery.
But the ESR results are not given for the last few months. It used to be shown every time. CRP is there and GFR but since beginning this year the results are not shown. Even though ticked on blood test form every time.
I generally have my bloods done 4 weekly, sometimes more often. ESR and CRP are always tested and listed. This has been the case for 40 years. Strange how much variation there always seems to be between hospitals and areas. I wonder if it could be anything to do with who authorises/issues the blood forms? Mine always come from the Consultant rather than the GP, perhaps that makes a difference (Different budget, etc)??🤔🙂
Thank you I will need to find out.
Idk then, mine are always done. Ask your surgery why they aren’t done ?
blood tests should always have ESR and CRP, they both show inflammation in the body and they can be different for different reasons
They'll contact you if needs be my team lawsy ring when bloods aren't right .
I'm in remission so mine are stable at present. In the past mine have fluctuated but usually a reason. In my case flares, infection, surgery ,vaccine and boosters , all these meant I needed to miss a couple of weeks control meds hence the roller coaster of results.
My GP did contact me last year to ask do monthly blood tests, back to 3 monthly now it's stable.
WBC as you know part of the immune system so will vary at times I guess. As others have said no harm checking with you GP or RA team. 😊
if only 10% or so above normal on one test my rheumy isn’t at all concerned. Often puts it down to me having not drunk enough water!
It is trends that of more concern if things are steadily increasing or reducing. Or very big fluctuations.
ok many thanks, for comparison what would your RA consultant say if wbc went from 7.5 to 12.9 within 2 weeks ?
RA with low CRP and normal blood tests?
Has anyone had blood tests for RA and trey have been normal.
blood test negative for RA factor. Could I still have RA nonetheless?
blood tests for RA when on methotrexate 
