I'm a little worried...

happilyeverafterxo · December 2011

My RE called today to tell me he got the results of some of my recent routine bloodwork. My CBC revealed an elevated White Blood Cell count...he said it was abnormal and he wants me to repeat it.

"Normal" for my RE is between 4.5 - 10. My results were a 12.

My fingers have been flying through Google and of course this hasn't helped much, if at all.

I had my bloodwork done last Monday, the 28th. Around Friday the 2nd, I started showing signs of a cold which I have right now. I'm wondering if they are elevated because of the cold I have now? I just worry because I wasn't feeling the signs of being sick when my blood was drawn last week.

Anyone else ever experience something similar? I've been a nervous wreck all night. Thanks girls.

ETA: My first thoughts are Cancer and it is scaring the crap out of me.

siple1am · December 2011

Just wanted to say sorry hun, and ((hugs))

kpowers982 · December 2011

Try and relax (yeah right! I'm the same way). I've had an elevated WBC count before (though not through bloodwork for a RE)...it could be something as simple as an infection in your system which can be cleared with antibiotics. In my case, my WBCs were elevated due to extremely high eosinophils - something in your blood that has to do with allergens. I had an allergy test, and I am wicked allergic to just about everything, so that was the culprit.

If they were extremely concerned, they'd have you in doing bloodwork now and getting results ASAP. Good luck!

LegallyBlonde217 · December 2011

White blood cells fight infections. I'm not a Dr, but I'm pretty sure it's fairly normal for them to be elevated when you're sick. Hope you feel better!

daynakako · December 2011

Thinking about you.

staycee · December 2011

smurray217:
White blood cells fight infections. I'm not a Dr, but I'm pretty sure it's fairly normal for them to be elevated when you're sick. Hope you feel better!

totally this.

your body was probably already trying to fight the cold you got a couple days later.

ashleyamberRN · December 2011

Im a RN and a 12 WBC isn't very abnormal. You probably are fighting off an infection, WBC raise to fight infection so it's a sign of a normal immune system. If you had very abnormally low WBC that CAN BE a sign of leukemia, so don't even worry about that! An infection can have a 72 hour incubation period before you start feeling sick, so even if you didn't feel sick when you got your blood work done, you may have just started to be get sick.

LollipopsAndCrisps · December 2011

I'm sorry you're going through it. I know abnormal blood work can be scary, especially with Dr. Google telling you everything is cancer. Try to stop googling! I'm sure your results will come back fine.

Best of luck to you! Sending T&P your way.

awick14 · December 2011

What may be "normal" for your RE, may not be normal for you. have you ever had your white blood count done before? If not then how could you know what is normal for YOU. My normal is about 3.0, which is below the normal 4.5. So when I get sick and my count is 5.0 or something around there then it is elevated for me. If your normal is 11-12 then this may be normal for you.

If your results are normally with in the normal range then I am very sorry that you are sick. ((hugs))

happilyeverafterxo · December 2011

awick14:
What may be "normal" for your RE, may not be normal for you. have you ever had your white blood count done before? If not then how could you know what is normal for YOU. My normal is about 3.0, which is below the normal 4.5. So when I get sick and my count is 5.0 or something around there then it is elevated for me. If your normal is 11-12 then this may be normal for you.
If your results are normally with in the normal range then I am very sorry that you are sick. ((hugs))

I have had bloodwork done twice before this where my CBCs were checked and both times my WBCs came back elevated - but not enough to cause concern from the doctor to make me have a recheck.

Thanks for all of the kind words everyone - you are all helping me so much!

mstroud23 · December 2011

The body has a lot of different types of white blood cells, and often our bodies are fighting a cold for days before we feel the effects of it. So, let your RE know you're sick-if you haven't already-and redo the bw when you aren't sick.

Goodluck, try not to worry.

misstrish521 · December 2011

Hope you feel better soon! ((HUGS))

ashleyamberRN · December 2011

awick14:
What may be "normal" for your RE, may not be normal for you. have you ever had your white blood count done before? If not then how could you know what is normal for YOU. My normal is about 3.0, which is below the normal 4.5. So when I get sick and my count is 5.0 or something around there then it is elevated for me. If your normal is 11-12 then this may be normal for you.
If your results are normally with in the normal range then I am very sorry that you are sick. ((hugs))

thats a good point. Hopefully it all works out well for you! good luck on your re draw

chicagojackie · December 2011

It is not just the NUMBER of WBC that count, but what type. (The order that the docs put has CBC (complete blood count) with differential (what kind of cells?).

There are different types of white blood cells, kinds that produce antibodies and kinds that kill bad guys in other ways including getting other cells to help or dumping chemicals on bad guys.

Anyway, if it is mostly neutrophils, those are an "acute phase reactant" (something that increases with inflammation/infection like your cold) and more common and really fits with your story. If it is lymphocytes, that generally can mean two things, common things being common--viruses, or sometimes in rare cases, leukemia, but usually the number is very low or very high.

12 is not that exciting, especially in someone who is I'm assuming, otherwise healthy and not using steroids of any kind (including inhaled routine daily steroids for asthma).

Also: Did they check a Urinalysis? Are you sure you don't have a UTI?

Good luck.

yunk11 · December 2011

I had this happen to me. I had a routine physical done for work and my white blood cell count came back high. I think it was 11 something, but I can't remember. My Dr. drew more blood about 3 or 4 weeks later and all was well. He said that stress can cause it to rise or your body fighting off an infection. It was also high after I gave birth.

I wouldn't worry too much about it until you have your repeat blood work done. My thoughts were also cancer (which I told my husband) and it turned out to be nothing. It was a relief but I felt silly worrying so much. Good luck!

happilyeverafterxo · December 2011

chicagojackie:
It is not just the NUMBER of WBC that count, but what type. (The order that the docs put has CBC (complete blood count) with differential (what kind of cells?).
There are different types of white blood cells, kinds that produce antibodies and kinds that kill bad guys in other ways including getting other cells to help or dumping chemicals on bad guys.
Anyway, if it is mostly neutrophils, those are an "acute phase reactant" (something that increases with inflammation/infection like your cold) and more common and really fits with your story. If it is lymphocytes, that generally can mean two things, common things being common--viruses, or sometimes in rare cases, leukemia, but usually the number is very low or very high.
12 is not that exciting, especially in someone who is I'm assuming, otherwise healthy and not using steroids of any kind (including inhaled routine daily steroids for asthma).
Also: Did they check a Urinalysis? Are you sure you don't have a UTI?
Good luck.

Thanks for all the info. Yes, they did a urinalysis and it was normal. You're right, I am otherwise healthy and do not take steroids for asthma. I hope the redraw turns better results

KNemo · December 2011

I have nothing to add, but I hope you feel better soon!

chicagojackie · December 2011

I wouldn't stress about it, seriously. (easy for me to say, I know)

Sometimes the specialist docs get all up in arms about a lab value that prints up in "red" which mean it is "out of value" in the computer. It depends on what the differential was and what your other values were (how was your BUN/Cr? Were you a little dehydrated? How is your platelet level? Are you anemic? what else is happening?). If everything else was normal (and not just in a "these are the official lab parameters) way I am even less concerned.

Remember that doctors use the labs as well as your symptoms to think of a constellation of information. No ONE thing gives a doctor the diagnosis, or a robot could do that job.

Also if you took some antibiotics or other medications it can cause white blood cells to become "demarginated" (unstuck) from their normal positions on the vessel walls and so when the lab draws your blood they measure more WBC even though they aren't really actually elevated.

mlynb · December 2011

An elevated WBC usually just means your body is trying to fight something off. Likely your cold.

kleigh926 · December 2011

I'm also an RN, and I just wanted to reiterate that 12 is not very high at all. Definitely not in the cancer range. You were probably just fighting off your cold. GL!

MeatballEsq · December 2011

I have no advice, but I wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and sending good positive vibes your way!! ((HUGS))

buckeyebaby814 · December 2011

I have no clue hon but I am praying for you. Hope everything turns out ok. ::HUGS::

Ladybug720 · December 2011

Although your white blood cell count is a tad high, it's not that high. Not so high that you should really be all that concerned at this point. Even though you didn't feel the symptoms of a cold when your blood work was done doesn't mean that your body was not attempting to fight something off.

I'm thinking about you doll. Let me know if you need anything

kristykay123 · December 2011

Don't google! It's a scary thing. Hoping everything is ok!!

kellyrn9956 · December 2011

I wouldn't even bat an eyelash at 12. It's most likely due to your cold or some other mild infection.

The WBC counts in leukemia are MUCH higher than that.

Sullivan1416 · December 2011

I know you are jumping to conclusions when they tell you that, especially googling because sometimes they give you the worse case scenarios. Try to stay positive. If you had a cold while getting blood work that very well could be. Our white blood cells are the cells that help fight infections.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you, but if you are that concerned call your physician and express your concern, they will probably be more than happy to talk to you about it. Keeping you in my thoughts!

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