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What Does My Lab Test Report Indicate?
Question: Hello Dr. I am looking for reassurance as i have not had much luck. Ten years ago on an ultrasound for a hernia they incidentally remarked that i had a slightly enlarged spleen at approximately 12.4 cm .. My primary dr gave me a list of things that could cause this and had me do labs . The labs came back flawless.. Fast forward ten years we decided to do another for reassurance thinking it would have gone down by now. I have had anxiety on and off because of it because reasons that can cause it are scary. Well it was still the same size. Again, i have always had perfect labs. They checked my liver and said it was great and the spleen itself looks great .. No nodules .. Just slightly enlarged. I went to a hematologist who said it looked great.. Flawless bloodwork.. Not to worry. My primary care doc said we will watch it abd ultrasound it yearly.. There are questions ive never had answered is " are there any non scary reasons my spleen could be slightly enlarged?" " could i just simply have a slpeen on the larger size?" " could i have been born with a large spleen?" Its very anxiety producing to think that something is underlying wrong with me and we will find it one day.. I just need some reassuring reasons on my spleen size.. If there are any. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
First,ultrasound may not be accurately in size measurement and ct scan would give more reliable results. Second,12.4 isn't actually some significant enlargement,even up to 15 cm doesn't need to indicate disorders especially if you don't have symptoms such as weight loss,unexplained fevers, or night sweats. Spleen can be enlarged with no obvious cause but also it can be congenital, caused by present or previous infections or by certain red blood cells disorders. I don't think that some extensive work up is required at this point. If your white blood count is fine and there is no associated liver disease them there is no need to be worried. Wish you good health. Regards
No need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
First,ultrasound may not be accurately in size measurement and ct scan would give more reliable results. Second,12.4 isn't actually some significant enlargement,even up to 15 cm doesn't need to indicate disorders especially if you don't have symptoms such as weight loss,unexplained fevers, or night sweats. Spleen can be enlarged with no obvious cause but also it can be congenital, caused by present or previous infections or by certain red blood cells disorders. I don't think that some extensive work up is required at this point. If your white blood count is fine and there is no associated liver disease them there is no need to be worried. Wish you good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you! I def do not want to undergo more testing .. But i dont want to sit abd worry about possible reasons it could be enlarged. Anxiety over it is starting to consume me. I have scoured rge internet trying to find something that said it could be non serious or congenital but couldnt find a thing. The fact that it has not grown in ten years seems to be reassuring as wwll , correct? I just need some peace of mind and you have already helped me tremendously.
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
In my clinical practice this is very common finding. In almost 30%of ehalthy people radiologist describe enlarged spleen or liver or both. You wont find cause of it on web since disease must be associated with signs and symptoms, not with US findings. People may have smaller or bigger organs such as smaller or bigger ears, nose or arms. We see often enlarged liver or spleen during surgery with no pathologic causes and we dont do further testing if patient is asymptomatic. ANy serious diagnosis would progress in 10 years trust me
hi
Detailed Answer:
In my clinical practice this is very common finding. In almost 30%of ehalthy people radiologist describe enlarged spleen or liver or both. You wont find cause of it on web since disease must be associated with signs and symptoms, not with US findings. People may have smaller or bigger organs such as smaller or bigger ears, nose or arms. We see often enlarged liver or spleen during surgery with no pathologic causes and we dont do further testing if patient is asymptomatic. ANy serious diagnosis would progress in 10 years trust me
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Im in tears right now.. Bc you have brought me an overwhelming since of relief! I cannot thank you enough. I have begged for this kind of reassurance from my primary doctor and he kind of blows me off like im a hypocondriac .. I have never had anxiety like this before but this whole experience has been extremely traumatic! Especially visiting the hematologist.. Is it possible to feel organs such as the spleen ? I am a very slender person.. 105 pounds .. 5"2.. I drive a lot for work. Sometimes when i am slouched over / sitting .. I can feel something under my left rib.. If i push on it it kind of pops inward. It does not hurt at all .. Im wondering if it could be the spleen possibly? Or rib cartilage? Like i said it does not hurt me.. I can just feel something there when im slouched over. On a normal exam if i am lying nothing can be felt.. Its weird and has me wondering if its related to my spleen. Since my dr couldnt feel itcwhile i was lying he sort of laughed at me when i mentioned it.. Told me i seemed " obsessive compulsive".. Not the case but this whole health scare snd lack of answers has def freaked me out! Thank you again! You are an amazing dr with compassion. I will give you a great review. I cant thank you enough for your time !!
Brief Answer:
I am glad i can help
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is my pleasure to help you and give reliable and medically justified explanation. Some doctors have no patience to listen to the patient and his difficulties so they find psychological causes for each symptoms
Of course,many sensations and disorders can be causes.or aggravated by anxiety but medical cause must always be considered and evaluated. Spleen has no its own neural network that transmit pain but in case if spleen enlargement it can lead to certain sensations due to pressure on stomach ,diaphragm or left colon. This may explain your symptoms. It would be especially aggravated while having full stomachw which then can press spleen or during leaning since it causes raised intrabdominal pressure. All in all,this is not something dangerous and won't lead to some consequences. But frequent check up of spleen size at least once a yearis recommended. Feel free to ask anything. Wish you good health.Regards
I am glad i can help
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is my pleasure to help you and give reliable and medically justified explanation. Some doctors have no patience to listen to the patient and his difficulties so they find psychological causes for each symptoms
Of course,many sensations and disorders can be causes.or aggravated by anxiety but medical cause must always be considered and evaluated. Spleen has no its own neural network that transmit pain but in case if spleen enlargement it can lead to certain sensations due to pressure on stomach ,diaphragm or left colon. This may explain your symptoms. It would be especially aggravated while having full stomachw which then can press spleen or during leaning since it causes raised intrabdominal pressure. All in all,this is not something dangerous and won't lead to some consequences. But frequent check up of spleen size at least once a yearis recommended. Feel free to ask anything. Wish you good health.Regards
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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