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Upset Stomach And Weight Loss. Eye Is Yellow. Was On Lipitor. Reason For Elevated Bilirubin And Monocytes?
Question: What would cause slightly elevated bilirubin and elevated monocytes on a CBC test? Am concerned as I have had upset stomach in recent past as well as weight loss. The whites of my eyes are pale yellow at times as well. I am unsure at this point as to the cause of the weight loss. I began trying to lose weight at the first of the year but now it seems I can't stop the progress. Perhaps stress/anxiety? I have been stressed about my health for a couple months now and my appetite has dimished considerably. I don't know if my issue is self induced from the stress or anxiety or some other medical issue such as pancreas cancer. I recently stopped taking 40mg of lipitor because I began feeling bad. But I dont know if it was the lipitor that I was on for 6 weeks or another more serious issue. Thanks for any advice.
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
An elevated bilirubin level could be due to two possibilities:
1) It could be an indicator of abnormal liver function. This in turn can be a result of a variety of causes like viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol use, side effects of certain medication, obstruction in the biliary tract, etc.
2) It could also be due to excessive breakdown of the red blood blood cells (called "hemolysis"). This in turn can be a result of certain medical conditions like hemolytic anemia, certain types of infections, etc.
It is important to find out what is the likely cause for the elevated bilirubin level and for this a complete liver function test is required. This will include direct / indirect bilirubin, liver enzymes, total protein, albumin / globulin ratio. Other blood tests like RBC count, hemoglobin, hepatitis B & C, etc. may also be required to rule out hemolytic causes.
A high monocyte count can be due to chronic inflammation, stress, prolonged fever / infections, certain immune-mediated diseases, etc. The monocyte count has to be interpreted along with the total WBC count - for example, if the total WBC count is also elevated, then it may indicate an infectious cause.
Though stress can be a possible cause for a mildly elevated monocyte count, it is very unlikely to be the cause for an elevated bilirubin level. Moreover, the decrease in appetite and weight loss are also concerning and they could be indicators of a liver problem, such as a hepatitis.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering agent which can have a side effect of decreased appetite and sometimes can cause jaundice / elevated bilirubin. So, it is possible that Lipitor could be the cause for your symptoms and abnormal blood tests.
However, to be sure, I would advise you to have a thorough physical examination and further investigations, in order to rule out any serious medical problems. Your doctor should be able to guide you on what further evaluations need to be done.
Regards,
Dr. Sheeba Stephen
Emergency Medicine Consultant
An elevated bilirubin level could be due to two possibilities:
1) It could be an indicator of abnormal liver function. This in turn can be a result of a variety of causes like viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol use, side effects of certain medication, obstruction in the biliary tract, etc.
2) It could also be due to excessive breakdown of the red blood blood cells (called "hemolysis"). This in turn can be a result of certain medical conditions like hemolytic anemia, certain types of infections, etc.
It is important to find out what is the likely cause for the elevated bilirubin level and for this a complete liver function test is required. This will include direct / indirect bilirubin, liver enzymes, total protein, albumin / globulin ratio. Other blood tests like RBC count, hemoglobin, hepatitis B & C, etc. may also be required to rule out hemolytic causes.
A high monocyte count can be due to chronic inflammation, stress, prolonged fever / infections, certain immune-mediated diseases, etc. The monocyte count has to be interpreted along with the total WBC count - for example, if the total WBC count is also elevated, then it may indicate an infectious cause.
Though stress can be a possible cause for a mildly elevated monocyte count, it is very unlikely to be the cause for an elevated bilirubin level. Moreover, the decrease in appetite and weight loss are also concerning and they could be indicators of a liver problem, such as a hepatitis.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a cholesterol-lowering agent which can have a side effect of decreased appetite and sometimes can cause jaundice / elevated bilirubin. So, it is possible that Lipitor could be the cause for your symptoms and abnormal blood tests.
However, to be sure, I would advise you to have a thorough physical examination and further investigations, in order to rule out any serious medical problems. Your doctor should be able to guide you on what further evaluations need to be done.
Regards,
Dr. Sheeba Stephen
Emergency Medicine Consultant
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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