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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?
Question: Hello, I recently had a CBC done when I came into the doctor for pain under upper right rib and through to the back. The pain is pretty constant and is effected by movement. The CBC came back showing that my WBC was 3.7 (4.5 -10 range) and my neutro auto was 47.9% (range 50 -70). My lymp was 39.9% just under the 40% range. I have usually always been around 5.7 wbc and 60% neutro. The doctor did not seem that concerned but it concerns me and I wonder what follow up I should pursue. I also have trace blood in my urine but have had that for a few years. All the other labs were fine. I could not really compare the liver enzyme tests with previous tests because they had a different range. Previous ones were ALT 23 (8-33 range) and this one is 44 (10 -53 range) I don't know if this is significant to know. I have not had any illnesses recently, but have been in pretty good health before the pain in the abdomen started.
Brief Answer:
You may need an ultrasound or CT abdomen
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I do understand how any abnormalities in your blood profile can raise cause for concern for you, but with the current results there is nothing very conclusive.
Let me inform you that the pain in your upper right abdomen could be caused by some abnormalities in the hepatobiliary system and so I would request you to first get an ultrasound examination of your abdomen and pelvis, paying special emphasis to your hepatobiliary system. If at all there are any abnormalities with your liver, gall bladder, etc; they would be seen on the ultrasound or at least show signs of abnormalities which would help us to go about more specific investigations.
Your liver profile seems fine, but the constant pain abdomen may be the cause for your blood picture. I would have to say that the current blood picture is not really that conclusive, but the ultrasound should show us a way forward. Please request your doctor or hospital for the ultrasound and write back to me with the results, I would be more than happy to assist you further.
I would like to emphasise that my concern is not your blood picture as it is nothing serious, but your pain abdomen to help you with finding permanent relief. I hope you find my response helpful, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
You may need an ultrasound or CT abdomen
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I do understand how any abnormalities in your blood profile can raise cause for concern for you, but with the current results there is nothing very conclusive.
Let me inform you that the pain in your upper right abdomen could be caused by some abnormalities in the hepatobiliary system and so I would request you to first get an ultrasound examination of your abdomen and pelvis, paying special emphasis to your hepatobiliary system. If at all there are any abnormalities with your liver, gall bladder, etc; they would be seen on the ultrasound or at least show signs of abnormalities which would help us to go about more specific investigations.
Your liver profile seems fine, but the constant pain abdomen may be the cause for your blood picture. I would have to say that the current blood picture is not really that conclusive, but the ultrasound should show us a way forward. Please request your doctor or hospital for the ultrasound and write back to me with the results, I would be more than happy to assist you further.
I would like to emphasise that my concern is not your blood picture as it is nothing serious, but your pain abdomen to help you with finding permanent relief. I hope you find my response helpful, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Since 2011 I have had 4 CT scans for different things. After leg surgery they feared I had a clot in the lungs. I had one for lower abdominal pain, one for kidneys stones and one where the diagnosis was pleurisy. I hear that too many x-rays are bad for you so I am afraid to have another CT. (I've also had mammograms in there too.) The doctor had suggested another one for this pain and as much as I want it, I am afraid of the radiation. Is this fear justified? Could an ultrasound be just as useful? Also, I have had my gallbladder out for over a year now, but this seems like an extreme constant version of that pain.
As far as the blood work. Is it not unusual for wbc counts to dip below normal ranges? Should I have it retested in the future?
As far as the blood work. Is it not unusual for wbc counts to dip below normal ranges? Should I have it retested in the future?
Brief Answer:
?? GB removal could be cause for pain; USG next step
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am and thank you for that information.
I would say that your fear is justified, but there is a radiation level beyond which cause for concern is raised and I do not think you are anywhere close to that level.
But I respect your concern, and would like to suggest an ultrasound for now. Although it is not as accurate as a CT scan, it would help in guiding us forward. For now, if at all an ultrasound suffices we shall avoid the x-rays altogether; but hopefully not, if the need arises the damage another x-ray would be weighed against the benefit of conducting one to establish a more accurate diagnosis would be weighed.
I would also like to add that the pain could be related to the GB removal you mentioned. Some individuals have reported constant pain after GB removal and other such surgeries in the region. Some have also reported back with infections (more commonly seen soon after surgery), so an ultrasound would be our next most wise step towards finding the cause for your pain.
WBC can at times dip below normal and not be a cause for concern, but one of the more common causes for a low WBC are: typhoid fever, spleen related problems, strong medications, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, severe infections, malnutrition, etc.
I would say it would be wise for everyone to get tested one every 6 months after crossing the age of 40-45 years. I hope this helps in clarifying at least some of your doubts, please do not hesitate to write back to me about anything, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
?? GB removal could be cause for pain; USG next step
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am and thank you for that information.
I would say that your fear is justified, but there is a radiation level beyond which cause for concern is raised and I do not think you are anywhere close to that level.
But I respect your concern, and would like to suggest an ultrasound for now. Although it is not as accurate as a CT scan, it would help in guiding us forward. For now, if at all an ultrasound suffices we shall avoid the x-rays altogether; but hopefully not, if the need arises the damage another x-ray would be weighed against the benefit of conducting one to establish a more accurate diagnosis would be weighed.
I would also like to add that the pain could be related to the GB removal you mentioned. Some individuals have reported constant pain after GB removal and other such surgeries in the region. Some have also reported back with infections (more commonly seen soon after surgery), so an ultrasound would be our next most wise step towards finding the cause for your pain.
WBC can at times dip below normal and not be a cause for concern, but one of the more common causes for a low WBC are: typhoid fever, spleen related problems, strong medications, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, severe infections, malnutrition, etc.
I would say it would be wise for everyone to get tested one every 6 months after crossing the age of 40-45 years. I hope this helps in clarifying at least some of your doubts, please do not hesitate to write back to me about anything, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I spoke with my doctor about ultra sound but he said that the ultra sound would not show what he is looking for. I am afraid I do not want to get a CT scan with all I have read about radiation. I am even wondering if my wbc is low because of the 4 CT scans I have had within the last 4 years, plus the chest xray and mammograms. I have scheduled to see my family practice doctor in the end of January (the first appointment I could get), so I guess I will try to put up with this until then. Thank you for you patience in answering me.
Brief Answer:
Completely respect and understand ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I completely understand and respect your decision.
There is a chance of lowering the WBC and other changes in the blood profile with multiple exposure to radiation, but in my opinion this is more likely to take place when multiple exposure to radiation has taken place over a shorter period of time (multiple exposure over a year or so).
But your thinking is right and I more that respect your decision of avoiding further radiation, but as your doctor I would also like to emphasise on the fact that by avoiding a CT scan we might be preventing diagnosis which also means that you could suffer from your presentation for longer.
I hope and pray all goes well, and even hope that your condition and presentation is resolved before you even have to consider another radiation exposure episode. I wish you all the luck you need and more. And please also remember, for any further clarifications, you always have me.
God bless ma'am.
Completely respect and understand ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
I completely understand and respect your decision.
There is a chance of lowering the WBC and other changes in the blood profile with multiple exposure to radiation, but in my opinion this is more likely to take place when multiple exposure to radiation has taken place over a shorter period of time (multiple exposure over a year or so).
But your thinking is right and I more that respect your decision of avoiding further radiation, but as your doctor I would also like to emphasise on the fact that by avoiding a CT scan we might be preventing diagnosis which also means that you could suffer from your presentation for longer.
I hope and pray all goes well, and even hope that your condition and presentation is resolved before you even have to consider another radiation exposure episode. I wish you all the luck you need and more. And please also remember, for any further clarifications, you always have me.
God bless ma'am.
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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