What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 13 Aug 2015

Question: I have slightly elevated blood counts- RBC 5.4, Hematocrit 50.1%, Hemoglobin 16.9. I am 33.

I started a new exercise regime about one month ago, for the last 6 months I have smoked 4-6 cigarettes a day but quit the day of my test, I drink 3-4 nights per week with 3-4 cocktails. I had a chest x-ray and leg ultrasound and all is normal.

The day of the test I had only drank coffee and diet coke, no water, but am unsure as to if that would be the cause.

I am deathly concerned about having PV now after reading everything online.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may be due to dehydration or polycythemia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are high. It may be due to dehydration or due to polycythemia.

Polycythemia may be primary or due to some cause like increase erythropoitin secretion or low oxygen saturation.

You should investigate for polycythemia.

First of all you should rule out causes of secondary polycythemia. It may be due to chronic lung disease or kidney disease.

You should go for basic investigation.

Complete blood count, peripheral smear examination, x ray chest and liver and kidney function test.

Please give me follow up with your reports. If this reports favour polycythemia vera then you should go for jak 2 mutation.

Don't worry much about that. Chances of primary polycythemia vera are low.

Moreover phlebotomy and other treatments are available to control polycythemia vera. so just be relaxed.

Give me follow up with your reports.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (7 minutes later)

Thank you. I have had a chest x-ray and all is normal there, plus a leg ultrasound for blood clots and that is normal as well. I should mention that I have had a CBC 6 times in the last three years and always normal. This is the first that is not.

My CBC was all normal except for the ones mentioned. I did go for an exam and in the breathing tests my oxygen seems fine.

Can I re-test the CBC right away now that I have been drinking water? Could the increase be due to the alcohol and cigarettes and/or metformin?

I would upload my entire CBC, but for some reason it says the file it too large.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should repeat your CBC.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
You may have relative polycythemia. Lac of water and cigarette smoking both can affect the results.

You should avoid cigarette smoking and maintain proper hydration. Then you should repeat your complete blood count. If it becomes normal then no need to worry. If it remains persists or increase further then you should go for further investigation.

Right now no need to worry. Just be relaxed. Just repeat your complete blood count after a week. Give me follow up with your reports.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (6 minutes later)

Thank you. I was able to upload my CBC. Could you take a look at it and let me know your thoughts on anything that stands out? As mentioned, I am most scared of PV, which I know is rare.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
your all other reports are normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question and your all reports. I can understand your concern.
Your complete blood count report is normal other than hemoglobin and hematocrit. Your liver and kidney function tests are also normal. Polycythemia vera is very rare possibility with thia reports. Don't worry much about that. Just be relaxed.

Just repeat your complete blood count.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

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

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (48 hours later)

Hi there,
I had my blood re-tested and it all looks good. I have attached my new results. I believe that I was simply dehydrated and, of course, the quitting smoking probably helped :) Please let me know if there is any additional follow up I should do.

Thank you!
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Your complete blood count report is normal. So it may be due to dehydration.
Don't worry about that. Just be relaxed.
No further investigations are required.
Avoid smoking.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer.
Thanks for using health care magic.
Wish you a very good health.

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. Yogesh D