I Had Blood Drawn On Monday. All Results Were Normal

Posted on Tue, 27 Aug 2019

Question: I had blood drawn on Monday. All results were normal except the platelets were 84,000. The tech had trouble getting the blood where she started with the left arm and had to get the rest from the right and the draw went slowly. The Dr. feels it likely was a bad draw and had me do it again, which I did this morning. This morning"s draw went very fast with no problem. Could the difference be the Monday draw was done fasting and I was dehydrated? (This morning's draw was not fasting.)

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
If the platelet count is normal in 2nd sample,then nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The low platelet count could be due to slow draw leading to clumping of platelets in blood vessel only.
Can you please share the platelet count in second blood draw?
In case the platelet count is normal in the second blood draw, the technique of blood collection is to blame.
Difficult sampling can occur due to thin veins, slipping of vein, poor technique, untrained personnel to name a few.
Dehydration and fasting will not cause difficult blood collection.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (3 hours later)

Of course, my fear is leukemia. Just 3 months ago, my platelets were 280 (reference range 150-379). My RBC is 4.08 (3 months ago it was 5.13) and WBC is 5.33 (3 months ago was 8) both on the low end of the normal range, but still normal. I do have an enlarged lymph node on the side of my neck, which I had CT'ed, and according to the doctor appears not to be a problem. I was getting night sweats, but they have stopped. I should have the results of today's draw sometime on Monday. Does this sound like leukemia? Also, I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist three weeks ago and there was no bleeding at all. Wouldn't there have been some bleeding with leukemia? You did mention "slow draw". The draw on Monday seemed to take forever, the draw today was extremely quick.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The blood parameters are absolutely normal, can get peripheral blood smear

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
White blood cell count of 5330 / cubic millimeter does not suggest leukemia.
However, peripheral blood smear examination will be required to assess the morphology of the cells.
Other parameters- Red blood cells and platelets are very much within range so there is nothing to worry.
'Slow draw' refers to the technique of collecting blood.
For the enlarged lymph nodes, I suggest you to consult your primary healthcare provider for clinical assessment and fine needle aspiration (FNAC) of the lymph nodes.
FNA is an office procedure wherein the cells are aspirated with the help of fine needle.
The type of lesion is determined from the morphology of the cells aspirated.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana