question for PaulMD please- LDH level of 896

this has been going on for 18 months.. LDH is the only blood test he has had thats been abnormal... & now its at the highest ever..  896 .
his symptoms are reoccuring episodes of malaise & lethargy...sits around many days unable to really do much normal toddler activty saying he's tired & his legs hurt a bit... His lymph nodes in his neck (cervical) & nodes at base of his head enlarge & then decrease all the time (but are ALWAYS prominent even on a good period). We are desperate for any advice

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by PaulMD


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PaulMD  
Male, 30 years
manila - Philippines
Member since Apr 2008  



, Jun 30, 2008 11:39PM
Hi there.

Increase in LDH level is a sign of a proliferative disease, meaning that cells in the body (mostly the blood cells) are undergoing proliferation and rapid turn over.  These can be seen in cases of blood malignancies like leukemia, and solid tumors such as lymphoma.  I suggest that you have the lymph nodes evaluated and possibly undergo a biopsy procedure to rule out these conditions.  If ever diagnosed with lymphoma or leukemia, chemotherapy may be warranted.  Lymphoma and leukemia are curable childhood diseases.

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by bazjo


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bazjo
Male, 30 years
Member since Jun 2008  



, Jul 01, 2008 06:03AM
To: paulMD
Thank you so much for your response... I have a question for you... Is it possible for my child to have a completly normal Blood count but still have lymphoma or Leukemia? The infectious diseases consultant says with my sons full blood count being so normal & the boood film not showing any abnormal cells.. means there is no way he could have it ?? Please could you comment on this??
He also feels the level of LDH being 896 is not too bad as the lab said anything up to 920 is normal (however in other labs they say only up to 490 is normal?)

I was also lookin again at his test results.... His CH 100 total Compliment level was very raised at 1200 - but compents C3 & C4 were normal??
His IGE is massivly raised at 600 (normal should be under 32)
His Albumin levels are slighty raised too.

I really hope you can answer these questions for me.. Thanks again

Joanne

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

It is indeed possible for someone who has a normal blood count and still harbor lymphoma.  However, leukemia should present with abnormal blood pictures and this is rather unlikely for your child's situation.  It is best that the lymph nodes get a biopsy to ascertain the nature and to confirm or rule out if it is really lymphoma.  An LDH level of 896 is high by most standards except if the laboratory is using different units or different measuring techniques (the normal values are usually printed beside the actual results as reference). High IgE can be a sign of allergy or parasitic infections and the infectious disease doctor can help you more in explaining these.   I suggest you discuss about a biopsy procedure to rule out lymphoma.  Regards.