Concerned about frequent fatigue, illness, bruising

[attwell]

I hope someone on this forum can address my question.  

A little personal data to provide context:  I am a 37 year old white male, 160 lbs, 6 feet tall.

Over the last year or two, I have noticed an increase in the frequency with which I become tired, fatigued, and ill.  My hands are often cold and my eyes are red and irritated.  Over the last few months, I've noticed that my skin seems to bruise much more easily than before (ie, even after routine bumps in the gym, sitting on a hard chair, etc).  Over the last week, I came down with a fever (102 for two days) and bad headache followed by stuffy nose, cough, a slight rash on my chest and other flu-like symptoms. Such flu-like episodes have become more frequent for me of late.  Over the last 2-3 weeks prior to the most recent fever, I noticed that my average body temperature was slightly higher than normal (98.6 vs a normal body temp of about 97.8).  Even since I was a child, I have had subcutaneous pin-size red dots on my palms and upper thighs that come and go; I never gave much thought to these, but after doing a little research on blood disorders, I'm wondering if they might be a sign of subcutaneous bleeding associated with leukemia or some other disease.  

My last blood test in June 2008 revealed normal levels of RBCs, platelets and WBCs (latter were a little low, but still within the normal range).  Likewise, CD4 levels were lowish but within normal range.  A year and a half ago, I had a blood smear which showed all RBCs and WBCs to be normally shaped and sized.  About the same time, I was tested for alphafetoprotein and CEA, both of which were normal.

My questions:  Do any of my symptoms seem indicative of a blood cancer or suggest I should have some follow up tests?  Would it be possible to develop a cancer within the space of a year and a half or less (when my last tests showed normal results)?  If not cancer or some autoimmune problem, does anyone have an inkling of why I might suddenly be bruising so easily?

Thanks for your feedback.

Attwell

[Dnmh]

Do you take any supplements? What kind of diet are you on? Are you in the sun frequently? Any one of these could cause easy bruising. From my experience with my mother (CLL) her white count is extremely high, not slightly elevated and as far back as I can recall, it hasn't been normal.
The pin sized red dots "might" be telengectasia - which may indicate auto-immune - but only a doctor can confirm this. It's possible it could be auto-immune. Have you had an ANA run? If that is positive, then a doctor would run (or sometimes in conjunction with) various tests looking for RA, Lupus, Scleroderma, etc.

I agree with Suzzie61, it never hurts to get a second opinion.

[suzzie61]

You said your last testing was back in the summertime in June.  Thats 7 months.  I would start by getting blood work repeated, and I do not know what kind of doctor your seeing.  You may need a hematologist.  I would have someone address the easy bruising, and low grade fever.  It does not mean you have cancer.
Do yourself a favor, and make an appointment with another doctor.  A second opinion  is always the best way to start.  Be sure you have copies of all your tests whenever you see a new doctor.  It helps them to make decisions for further testing.
     I have Leukemia.  I am 61 years old, and was diagnosed in 1998 when I was 52.  My blood work was on the high side, especially my WBC.  That is why my Primary Doctor had me see a Oncologist right away, and I was glad she did that because my problem was found early.  I am in remission for over 7 years now.