Elevated CBC and RBC

[Tweakie]

Over the past 6 months my blood work has come back with elevated RBC and CBC, should I be concerned?  My Rhumatologist is as puzzled as I am.  I have DJD in my neck, lower lumbar, both knees and both hips.  I do have stiffness and pain.  ANA always comes back negative.  I do take Omega 3, Vitamin D, Calcium and a joint formula.

WBC  13.4
RBC  5.38
Hemoglobin  16.1
Hematocrit  49.2

Platelet Count  465,000
Absolute Lymphocytes  6325
Absolute Monocytes  1005 - this was normal 6 months ago!

Everything else come back within normal ranges.  I also have Hashimoto's thyroditis and am being treated for that.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Tweakie]

This is the lastest and greatest news.  I received my test results except one.  The big expensive tests were negative or normal, the cheap tests were all positive...go figure.  As it stands I'm bleeding internally.  I've had this before, so it's no big surprise to me.  I've been through this mouse hunt before trying to find the cause, so I'm definitely not going to do that again should the doctor suggest oscopy tests.  The last time this happened after having several different types of oscopies, the gastroentrologist told me to see a hematologist.  Now the doctor may want a bone marrow test, which I will consider.  So, I'll get the bottom line when I see the doctor in 2 weeks.  The saga goes on.

Tweakie

[smittygirl]

Thanks for staying in touch with me, the doctor sounds like she is just who you need and she is running all the right tests.   Lets keep nothing but good karma and positive thoughts coming your way, you are now officially on my prayer list!   Stay with us Tweakie, you have my support all the way through, keep writing when you need to ok?  I'll PM you my email address if you just want to chat off forum.  

Sue  

[Tweakie]

Saw the Hematologist today and she ordered a bunch of tests which I will have done on Wednesday.  She thinks I have a bone marrow disorder and/or polycythemia vera and/or some type of leukemia or lymphoma.  Won't really know until test results come back and that will be in a few weeks time.  We'll see what comes of this and how far I'll go for treatment.

Thanks for your suport!

[smittygirl]

YEAH!!!!    I work in the medical field and it is horrible!!  So sad to have to say but it's the truth!   I will be thinking of you on the 11th and look forward to hearing the results.  Write anytime you need to talk!   Take care!

Sue

[Tweakie]

FINALLY!  Just received call that my appointment with Hematologist is August 11th in the afternoon.  Apparently the doctor that they were trying to get me in to see would not return their calls.  They must be out on vacation or something.  So they got me another doctor that is real nice and will work with me as I'm a self pay patient.  I'll write more after the appointment.

Thanks again!

[Tweakie]

I've been waiting to get this hematologist appointment and I still haven't gotten one.  Today my Rhumatologist's office called again to get in touch with my Nurse Practitioner.  I called them back and left a message for them to contact her directly and gave them the number.  Apparently they FINALLY spoke together.  The NP is supposed to be getting me an appointment with a hematologist now.  The NP's office called to inform me of this, so I told them that my Orthopaedic Doc is also trying to get me an appointment with the hematologist, so they needed to call his office.  It seems everyone wants me to see one, but nobody has gotten the appointment for me.  What confusion!  This is starting to turn into a comedy.  I'll let you know when the elusive appointment is made.

[Tweakie]

Thank you for the encouragement.  Sorry for your difficulties in getting a definitive diagnossis.  My symptoms aren't as severe as yours, so I doubt I have STILLS or TRAPS.  But, its still good to know about genetic testing as an option.

[smittygirl]

That is GREAT news, I am so happy you have that appt.  Please keep writing to me, I know you can't see the doc for a few weeks but I know how important it is to have someone to talk to that "gets it".  I am here for you, always.   Let me know what the rheumy has to say when you find out.  Talk to you soon.  Really happy you found our forum!

Sue

[spastic]

Hi there, I haven't talked to you before.  I would even ask the hematologist about some genetic tests.  One of my Dr's is doing genetic mapping and seeing if I have a genetic mutation for a disease called TRAPS.  I have previously been dx'd with Stills but I cant get my "team" of Dr's to make up their minds about it.  But I hope the hematologist can give you answers, I know the oncologist I seen was wonderful, so ask a lot of questions, they get paid big bucks for their know how.  Good luck and I hope they get you in right away.

Your Friend,

Ada

[Tweakie]

Finally I'm getting an appointment with a Hematologist!  My Orthopaedist's office called and after seeing my blood work, the Ortho Doc wants me to see the Hematologist.  They are in the process of making the appointment as I write this.  It will probably be a few weeks before I actually see the doctor, but it's a relief that I'm going to see one.

[Tweakie]

I understand what you're getting at.  The blood work does not have lymphocyte typing on it.  I need a referral to see a Hematologist where I live, so I'm waiting to see if the Rheumatologist will finally give me one.  I do get tired, but I've had that problem since the thyroditis blossomed.  I do have synovitis, effusion and lots of stiffness in my hips an MRI confirmed that.  I have food allergies and that can explain some of the results, although I've never had results like this before even when in allergy overload.

Tomorrow I should have heard from my Rheumatologist.

Thanks so much for taking an interest in my situation!

[smittygirl]

OK, have some questions you may or may not know the answer to, if you don't, call your doctor tomorrow and ask these questions.  I don't know what, if any, knowledge you have of Lymphocytes so please know my intention is not to question your knowledge, just want to help you.  Lymphocytes make up 16 to 45% of our white blood cells, of these about 1/2 are "T" cells and about a 1/4 are "B" cells.   Did your doctor tell you if it is your T cells that are so high?    Please call him tomorrow and find out and get back to me.  I know you don't have insurance but see if you can find a Hematologist to talk to once you know the answers about the T cells.    Please private message me and we can talk further once you know more about the test the rheumy ran.   A question I should have asked from the get go is, aside from the DJD, pain, stiffness do you have any other symptoms,  Do you find yourself very tired or have low energy?   Talk soon.

Sue

[Tweakie]

Thanks for posting a reply.  My Sed Rate has always been normal in the past it wasn't done this time around but will probably be done again soon, as my Rhumatologist wants additional tests done.  My big concern is with my CBC counts.  What in the world are my lymphocytes and monocytes fighting?  They have to be attacking something, I've never been above normal for such a long period of time before.

[smittygirl]

Hi there and welcome to our forum. Most of your tests are just within the normal ranges or just slightly higher:  Your WBC & RBS are slightly elevated.  Your platelet count is high, the normal range being somewhere between 150,000 & 400,00.   Did the doc run a test to check your Sed Rate?     The elevated platelet is an indication of moderate inflammation in the body.  The Sed rate test measures the amount of inflammation in your body and every rheumy I know runs this as a standard test when trying to dx a patient.   I can relate to the no insurance thing, I had to stop my Cobra payments because they were too expensive and am waiting for my new insurance to begin.  My medication for my disease is $1500.00 a month!   Please write TX and I back and let us know what you find out.  As I tell all of our members please make sure the doctor's office gives you copies of all your lab work, you are entitled to them, especially since you are footing the bill!  Look forward to hearing from you, we will help you to the best of our ability  Talk soon.

Sue

[Tweakie]

Thank you.

I would love to get another opinion, but without health insurance...well, you know how that goes.  This is the only Rhumatologist I could find that would see me as a self pay patient.  I should hear Monday what other tests the Rhumatologist wants done.

[txsilver]

Welcome to the forum.  We have a few members with some medical background who might be able to provide some insight on your test results.  I hope they will sign on and pipe in soon.  My suggestion is to see what other tests should be run to try to isolate the cause and, if that does not yield results, get a second opinion.  Please keep us posted!