Bloodwork results scared me,!

[Hunter134]

I ve been fighting a bad bladder infection the last 4months.Had my cytoscopy a month ago which showed an inflamed bladder.Was put on 15 mg of prednisone by reumy in June.Was prescribed Nitrofurantoin which I know is a strong med but my infection was resistant to most popular meds.I asked my gp to send me for bloodwork to check my kidneys aft being on so many antibiotics.They seem fine but I got notified from the lab ive got lymphocytosis.Bloodwork did show low thyroid and still infection.Has anyone heard of this?

[Kendrew]

Hi Hunter134,

Lymphocytosis simply means a raised number of white blood cells (white blood cells are called lymphocytes.)

White blood cells fight off diseases and infections and as you have a rather nasty bladder infection it would be expected to see a high level of these cells present.

[Hunter134 in reply to Kendrew]

Thank you for replying.I was out in a drive with my husband and I got in my email that the pathologist recommended to keep an eye on it.Think he mentioned leukemia.That scared me.

[Kendrew in reply to Hunter134]

Obviously I don't know your result and I'm not a doctor, but I feel that the fact you've got a strong infection thats already been resistant to other antibiotics suggests a good reason to believe that the raised white blood cell count is most likely due to the body working hard to combat the infection. If the white blood cell count remains high after your infection has cleared up then further tests would probably be advisable.

I can obviously only comment on the information you've shared and there may be other factors & circumstances involved that I'm unaware of, so although I can offer my opinion on your situation I can't diagnose anything and you must always present any worries or concerns to your GP or medical team.

[JoannaERC in reply to Kendrew]

Sorry, little correction. White blood cells are LEUKOCYTES, not lymphocytes. Lymph are responsible for immune system's balance and proper responses.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JoannaERC]

Lymphocytes are white blood cells. Leukocytes is the general name for white blood cells, lymphocytes are a specific white cell.

cancer.gov/publications/dic...

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks Pro,I was just about to post the same.

[JoannaERC in reply to PMRpro]

So why tho in bloodwork list we have WBC separate and lymphocytes separate, in digits and in percentage ? According to your definition exression WBC should contain all sorts, including lymph ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JoannaERC]

The total white count is what it says - all white cells. Then they sometimes include what is called a "differential count". The white count is done automatically, a diff count is done manually by making a smear on a glass slide, staining it and manually counting the different types of cell they can see down a microscope after staining. If you had read the link I gave you you would see there are several types of white cells, granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), monocytes, and lymphocytes (T cells and B cells). Each has its own task to carry out. If one increases or decreases the total increases or decreases but it is important to know which as that can indicate what underlies the increase.

The term leukocytes and WBCs are interchangeable. Lymphocytes are one sort of WBC, like dogs are all dogs, alsatians are one sort of dog.

[Kendrew in reply to JoannaERC]

Was just about to post the same as Pro but would also add that Lymphocytosis still means a raised number of white blood cells.

[piglette]

I had lymphocytosis, my GP did not tell me until it had actually improved!!

[Hunter134 in reply to piglette]

I never heard of it.I think event the antibiotics can cause it and I my thyroid meds need to be increased too.My bladder infection has been a struggle cause I was left so long trying to see a urologist.Thanks for replying.I feel a bit better now.

[piglette in reply to Hunter134]

It does seem to be “it never rains but it pours” seems to happen when one thing goes wrong.

[Hunter134 in reply to piglette]

You re right!Been a bad year for me.Missed the whole summer with being in so much pain.Sadly I got the infection from having a needless transvaginal ultrasound.My dr suspected a prolapse without an examination.I didnt have one.

[piglette in reply to Hunter134]

Oh no, how awful.

[jinasc]

You might like to take a look at this:

vsl3.co.uk/

I was recommended to take this after an op and on antibiotics.

[Hunter134]

I ll ask my urologist if I can take a probiotic.If so I ll try it.Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Both infections and pred can lead to raised lymphocyte counts. Yes it needs keeping an eye on - that's why patients are supposed to be monitored - but it isn't a reason to immediately suggest it could be leukaemia. Wonder if the pathologist bothered to look at the history. Or - to be fair - did the doctor who requested the tests list medication and history? Used to drive us up the wall in the lab!

[Hunter134 in reply to PMRpro]

My guess would be no the dr didnt.I actually asked for bloodwork to be done.I read low thyroid can do it too.Mine is low now and ive had it ten years.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hunter134]

Yes, there are several factors that can raise white cells so I wouldn't worry too much about it at present. It MIGHT wake your GP up enough to keep a closer eye on you!

[Hunter134 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for replying.I dont know what id do without this site?