Are platelets + blood cells the same thing my husband's white blood count is 20 is this bad?

[landlady]

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin]

Hi land lady, welcome

I've jotted down a few notes that may be of help, I'm sure others will be in touch. We soon get used to abnormal blood counts and after several blood tests know what is happening and are able to get on and live well after a while. learning a little about the disease can help with this. It is very difficult to get your head around at first.

You can learn a little about blood and different cell types from Chaya at:

updates.clltopics.org/1562-... also from :

cllsupport.org.uk/uybresult...

My understanding is that it is not the count at one moment in time that is important but what is happening over a period of time. Over several readings a trend will be seen to help gauge how settled the disease is in each person. Only when there is a dramatic change in the numbers in a short space of time. Or if some cell types have reached a low enough level does this raise concern. From recent talks and reading; until the lymphocyte count is over 30 trends can’t be considered as there may be natural fluctuation at this low level that will affect perceived trends.

White blood is made up of several cell types it is the lymphocyte that accumulates in CLL.

The physical symptoms and indicators of the diseases progression need to be considered alongside what is happening in the blood as well as how settled the disease is.

Do you visit the consultant with your husband? The consultant or a specialist nurse if available will explain things if asked.

These latest UK patient information booklets may be of help.

This CLL information leaflet from the Lymphoma Association is a useful introduction to living with CLL.

lymphomas.org.uk/sites/defa...

The latest UK CLL patient information booklet was published last month and is available as a PDF down load here. From leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. It is a good all round introduction to CLL and explains a fair bit in patient friendly language.

leukaemialymphomaresearch.o...

nick

[landlady in reply to HAIRBEAR_UK]

Thank you for your information because he has just been diagnosed we are unsure what to expect but I will be going with him for future visits and scans

[HAIRBEAR_UK Founder Admin]

Sorry you've had to join us. The bllood information I provided may be a little confusing, learning a new language is very difficult I was diagnosed three years ago with my levels at the same level you mention and am still on watch and wait (untreated) and my levels have changed little, if anything they seem improved at the moment. You will find out more with time but a significant proportion of us do remain untreated for a very long time and may not require it. I'm sure others will be in touch.

Take notes during your first visit and write down a few questions you wish answers from. A lot just went through me early on. The booklet below may help you prepare for this.

The LLR CLL patient information is a good place to start your learning about CLL

leukaemialymphomaresearch.o...

Nick

[landlady in reply to HAIRBEAR_UK]

Thanks for sharing that information with me .