Wellness

[Ditzydori]

I had my routine blood work checkup today.  All was ok but he mentioned my lymphocytes being slightly elevated.  The overall wbc count was normal but this one particular one was a little high.

He said it  could be anything from a virus to leukemia. I thought I'd fall off of my chair. He didn't want me to wait long to recheck, so I'm going on April 29 for another cbc test. I did have a cold prior to my blood work and I told him,  but he was adamant about the recheck.

Now I feel fine, mind you.

He said if it's still elevated I have to see a hemotologist.

It is just unbelievable that one could feel perfectly fine and still have stuff going on. 

Needless to say, I can't stop thinking, about this, and I hate to have to wait until the end of April.  He wanted me to do it then.  Not before and not long after.  This was totally unexpected as I feel fine. It just came out of the blue. 

I live in florida with absolutely no family in the entire state.  I I hope this is nothing because I would not like going thru something bad alone. Now I'm rethinking my living situation. 

Has anyone had this that turned out to be nothing?  Any encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

[Carol Diane]

Elevated lymphocytes are elevated after an infection.  Try not to worry...that was probably the cause.  I know my mother had a high WBC with her leukemia.  

[gennv]

Hi try not to worry. As long as your feeling well otherwise it’s likely related to your recent cold .  These cells often produce as a protective mechanism. Your Doctor is being cautious , and that’s being a good doctor . Follow up and get your blood redrawn. Good Luck ! 

[Quse]

Lymphocytes are the body's line of defense against viruses...so yes, they could be elevated due to a cold. Try not to overthink this or the stress may skew tests. If you feel fine, just get enough sleep, try to eat well, get some exercise, and get re-tested. This is the time of year colds are everywhere, so try not to stress too much

[Foxxee]

@Ditzydori 

Your doctor said your lymphocytes were "slightly" elevated.  WBC normal.

You said you recently had a cold.  Lymphocytes, white cells in the blood and members of the immune system, fight viruses...that could be the reason they are still elevated even though you no longer have cold symptoms. 

Lymphocytes may be elevated with the flu.  Have you been around anyone with the flu?  

Won't tell you not to worry, because you will anyway.

Most of the time it turns out to be the immune system was just functioning normally...keeping you healthy. 

Keep us posted. 

[Nonametoday]

For over a year, I had elevated lymphs and hardly anything normal on CBC with differential.  It went on and went on and went on and finally, my doctor sent me to the cancer center to see a hematologist.  I had lots of blood work done and bone marrow biopsy.  I still go there for testing after 4 years.  Nothing, thus far, has been found wrong except I was a few pints low on iron and got infused.  I am doing fine.  No abnormal lab work but they want me to continue checking because my Hgb & Hct were very, very high in the beginning and then they started getting very, very low after 2-3 years.  So it's just waiting and watching.  So far, nothing else.  I do have a very poor immune system, however.  I had immune panel done and everything low.

[chrystaltree]

Good grief, why would say a thing like that to you!!  Don't worry.  In all likelihood, it's temporary because you were recovering from a mild virus that you didn't even know you had. It's a normal function of a healthy immune system.   I have had slightly elevated lymphocytes for the past 30 years, they watched it for the first couple of years but after that, they told me that it was just my body's "normal".  In the same way that my normal temperature is 99.9.  Which is slightly above average.  You have nothing to worry about, there's nothing unusual about this.

[SilleeMee]

High lymphocyte counts may be associated with an inflammatory process, usually caused by a number of different conditions for example, infection or an underlying illness. Often times the high count is temporary. 

[Tabbycat]

@Ditzydori... I understand your concern. I hope all turns out well for you.

I, too, had my 6 month med check 2 weeks ago. The last couple of checkups showed elevated blood platelets. This time they were really high. I'm scheduled with oncologist/hemotology Dr. the end of April.

I don't know what to think about that. Don't mean to highjack your thread, but if anyone knows about high blood platelets ....

I was freaked out at the "oncologist". I've calmed down some but still something I wasn't expecting. I been having a lot of pain issues for close to 3 years. 

Best wishes to you 

[SilleeMee]

@Tabbycat 

Consistently high platelet counts are in a category of diseases called thrombocythemia (meaning high platelet count). It's important to differentiate its cause because there can be more than a single one. I'm glad you are seeing a specialist about your condition. Good luck to you and I hope you get good news.