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Hi ! I Am Concerned About My Blood Work. I

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Posted on Sat, 16 Nov 2019
Question: Hi ! I am concerned about my blood work. I recently had a blood work done and my absolute lymphocyte count was 4806 and the quest range is 850-3900. at the time i had this test, i had pain in my neck maybe because i slept awkward and it was there even after for 2-3 days. the last time i had a test done was in XXXXXXX 2019 and at that time i had a viral infection and it was 11.7 percent while normal range is 22-43 percent. last time before that was in XXXXXXX 2018 and it was normal however in marvh 2018 it was slightly elevated but i had no infection at that time.

all other values r normal. my chlorestal trygrycerites is high. its 524 without fasting. i am low on ferritin and vit d. please help. is it cancer ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not likely

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The pain in the neck would not have any effect on the lymphocyte count and it is not a symptom of a condition that would affect the lymphocyte count.

It is understandable to be concerned re any changes in blood work levels but in the majority of cases, changes are not related to cancer.

In cancer, the total white cell count would also be elevated. Your white cell is on the border. This borderline value and the elevated lymphocytes indicate that there may be viral infection at the time when the blood was taken.

Viral infections are the most common reason for the change in lymphocytes, it usually causes an increase but a decrease can also occur in some cases.

In leukemia or lymphoma there would very significant elevations in both the white cell count and lymphocytes. In some cases, the Hb and platelets would also be decreased because the bone marrow is overwhelmed with the white blood cells

the triglycerides without fasting would need to be repeated.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (9 minutes later)
how can i have a viral infection without symptoms ? i do like to note that i was travelling before the blood work. it was a long flight i took to china.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
most common but there are others

Detailed Answer:
HI

Viral infections are the most common but there are other causes, cancer, which understandably is concerning for you, is not the most common after viral infection

Other causes outside of viral infections are: (1)hypersensitivity reaction to medications (2)stress response eg trauma (3) thyroid disease (4)inflammatory bowel disease (5)addison's disease (6)smoking

You can consider rechecking the levels after 2 to 4 weeks, if there is still any abnormality then further testing such as hormone levels, may need to be done (eg thyroid, cortisol etc)
You can also have further blood work such as bone marrow testing if the repeated test is significantly elevated
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)
ok how would you define "significantly higher" ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (29 hours later)
Brief Answer:
if wbc consistently above 15

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sincerely apologize for the late reply

If the total white cell count is elevated above the normal range (at least 15 consistently), not only on the border and the lymphocytes remain elevated

Lymphocytes are one type of white blood cell and at the moment with a white cell count that is still within normal , chances of cancer is very slim because the WBC should rise with either leukemia or lymphoma


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16835 Questions

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Hi ! I Am Concerned About My Blood Work. I

Brief Answer: not likely Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The pain in the neck would not have any effect on the lymphocyte count and it is not a symptom of a condition that would affect the lymphocyte count. It is understandable to be concerned re any changes in blood work levels but in the majority of cases, changes are not related to cancer. In cancer, the total white cell count would also be elevated. Your white cell is on the border. This borderline value and the elevated lymphocytes indicate that there may be viral infection at the time when the blood was taken. Viral infections are the most common reason for the change in lymphocytes, it usually causes an increase but a decrease can also occur in some cases. In leukemia or lymphoma there would very significant elevations in both the white cell count and lymphocytes. In some cases, the Hb and platelets would also be decreased because the bone marrow is overwhelmed with the white blood cells the triglycerides without fasting would need to be repeated.