question-icon

Blood Work Done. Have Osteoarthritis In All Joints. What Cure Should Be Done?

default
Posted on Tue, 7 Aug 2012
Question: My WBC count is 6.1; Monocytes 18 (High); and Monocyte (Absolute) 1.1 (High). Everything else is fairly normal except for slightly elevated cholesterol total and LDL totals. I am a 67 year old female with no recent illness, but I have osteoarthritis pretty much all through my joints.

Thank you for your help.

YYYY@YYYY

XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA (2 hours later)
Hi XXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Monocytes are one of the major white cells that protect the body from infection and an abnormal increase in monocytes is called monocytosis. High monocytes alone can't tell you the nature of your problem or disease and we should use the high monocyte count as only a small part of determining the cause of your illness, and the history and physical exam will be critical in finding out what's wrong with you.

The most common cause is laboratory error.

There are a number of other causes for elevated monocytes and some of them may be frightening: chronic inflammatory disease, viral disease (mononucleosis), protozoal infection (malaria) or bacterial disease (tuberculosis).

If you are well and without symptoms, then it is most likely an error in the interpretation of what is a monocyte and because you said "with no recent illness", I suppose this is the case here. Maybe just for your peace of mind, you can repeat the blood test.

If you have any more queries, feel free to ask.

Regards
Dr. Dorian Oana MD, PhD
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ioan Dorian OANA

Oncologist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 101 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Blood Work Done. Have Osteoarthritis In All Joints. What Cure Should Be Done?

Hi XXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Monocytes are one of the major white cells that protect the body from infection and an abnormal increase in monocytes is called monocytosis. High monocytes alone can't tell you the nature of your problem or disease and we should use the high monocyte count as only a small part of determining the cause of your illness, and the history and physical exam will be critical in finding out what's wrong with you.

The most common cause is laboratory error.

There are a number of other causes for elevated monocytes and some of them may be frightening: chronic inflammatory disease, viral disease (mononucleosis), protozoal infection (malaria) or bacterial disease (tuberculosis).

If you are well and without symptoms, then it is most likely an error in the interpretation of what is a monocyte and because you said "with no recent illness", I suppose this is the case here. Maybe just for your peace of mind, you can repeat the blood test.

If you have any more queries, feel free to ask.

Regards
Dr. Dorian Oana MD, PhD