Best tests for leukemia/lymphoma

My allergist suggests that the hive I've had for the past 2+ months aren't an allergy at all but may be either an autoimmune issue or cancer.  I have a history of cancer (thyroid:  papillary carcinoma with recurrence and 101mCi I-131) and a variety of cancers in my family (4 with papillary carcinoma, 2 with breast cancer, 1 with ovarian, 1 with prostate, 1 with lung).  I also had a major bowel resection 5 months ago.

Since the bowel resection I've been on 6 doses of heavy antibiotics (Cipro and flagyl) for recurrent GI infections; have been diagnosed with bleeding duodenitis (not an ulcer but the entire duodenum is oozing blood); I have an ulcer inside the colon at the suture site; my WBC climbs within a week of going off the antibiotics; and - as of 1 October - have been covered with hives on both arms and on both eyes (have been on 5 doses of prednisone - clears it up while on the drug but comes right back 2 days later).

My allergist/immunologist ran a bunch of labs because he feels the hives are not an allergic reaction but are a histamine "leak" from weakened blood vessels.

I also have the following symptoms:
- complete exhaustion
- night sweats
- constant abdominal pain (not just at suture site)
- very pale
- bruising easily
- constant mild fever
- aching everywhere

As for the autoimmune issues: RA factor and sed rate are within normal ranges.  My ANAs are present but I don't have the titer yet.

My WBS, lymps ABS, and neuros ABS are all slightly elevated (I've only been off antibiotics 2 days and am still on prednisone).

My concern is I've been exposed to some pretty high doses of radiation through my cancer treatments and have done my research and see that there is a statistically significant increase in leukemia and lymphoma in thyroid cancer patients who have received high doses of I-131  (not to mention all of the x-rays, PET scans, bone density scans, CT scans, MRIs, etc.).

What is the next blood tests I should ask for to determine if this is another cancer I'm dealing with?

Thank you in advance.

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04, recurrence and RAI '06 (still positive Tg)

[iam1butterfly]

In addition to the symptoms that you listed, have you noticed any swollen lymph glands (at sides of the neck; in either armpit; or in either side of the groin area)?
Have you experienced unexplained weight loss? And, are the hives persistent and associated with constant itching?
There's a reason why I'm asking...  

[utahmomma]

My lymph nodes in my groin are slightly enlarged and in my left armpit.

I lost about 8lbs last month unexpectedly but between all of the prednisone and trying to regulate my thyroid meds it's bounced up and down.

The hives are persistent (except from about day 4 of the prednisone through day 2 post treatment) then they come back with a vengeance.  Yes, they itch (especially the ones around my eyes) and don't respond to hydrocordisone (the ones on my arms, can't put hydrocortisone around the eyes).

Any clue?

[iam1butterfly]

Yeah... I was asking all the questions because two years ago, my mom had symptoms that were strikingly similar to what you described.
She had skin testing for allergy reactions and biopsied for skin diseases due to her unbearable skin rash... results returned normal.
Blood work... also, showed to be normal. Thyroid testing... normal. She had a needle aspiration/ biopsy on the swollen lymph gland (her's was on the right side of her neck)... results were inconclusive. Finally, she had a surgical/ excisional biopsy of the swollen lymph gland... the pathology returned positive for Hodgkin's Disease, which is a separate category of Lymphoma.
I don't want to be an alarmist... and scare you... after all, I not a doctor and obviously not in any position to render diagnosis of any kind. But, as I reviewed your symptoms... especially, that rash,  I couldn't help but think of my mom's symptoms and how hard it was to diagnose her condition.
Your allergist is far sharper than all of the specialists that my mom saw... and, I think that he's right with his suspicion about auto-immune/ Cancer related concerns. My mom's GP had no clue; the allergist couldn't figure it out; the dermatologist was dumbfounded; the ENT had no explanation; and the oncologist had never seen anything like it. It took a surgical biopsy to find the answer... and, that came several months after countless exams, diagnostic testing, various antibiotics (including the ones that you mentioned), ointments and medications (she also took Prenisdone).
Anyway, I think that a (surgical) biopsy of that swollen lymph node is the direction to go with this. Ordinarily, a biopsy is the final word in confirming or excluding Cancer as a cause. If it's not Cancer; the biopsy will say so. If it's Hodgkin's... and I pray that my guess is wrong on that... there is an upside, as it's statistically the most treatable of all Cancers because it's highly responsive to chemotherapy. My mother's was treated with chemo (ABVD) and she's been in remission for about a year now. According to her, she's doing pretty good for an old lady (she's 81)... I tend to agree with her.

Take care, God bless... and please feel free to ask me more questions.

[utahmomma]

Thank you so much.  I just have a gut feeling (like I did with the nodule on my thyroid that everyone said was fine - which turned out to be cancer) that there is something seriously wrong here.  After the allergist/immunologist mentioned possible cancer, and I researched leukemia and lymphoma (and my increased risk after my heavy doses of radiation) I don't want to just sweep all of these symptoms under the rug and ignore them.

I really, really appreciate your feedback.

My swollen lymph nodes are pretty deep and in multiple places so I'm really going to push this - perhaps with another PET scan too.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me and my best to you and your mother!

Utah