Elevated Lymphocytes (cold, infection, doctor, cause)

[Marble cake]

I had routine bloodwork and I went to the dr for results. All was ok but he mentioned my lymphocytes wear slightly elevated. He went on and on about leukemia and all the different types. So he wants me to get another CBC in 2 weeks.

I was floored. I feel fine and this kind of talk unnerved me quite a bit. Very unexpected.

I told him I had a cold prior to my bloodwork. But he insisted on the 2 week recheck. He also stated that if it isn’t normal in 2 weeks, he will send me to a hemotologist.

The bloodwork from 6 months ago was normal and my total wbc was normal then and now as well.

Needless to say I’m quite concerned, especially since I don’t feel physically sick. Like what the heck. This came out of left field for sure.

Any encouraging thoughts?

[Aredhel]

A viral infection is a common cause of a mild elevation in lymphocyte count, and you just had one. Odds are this is nothing to worry about. If the count hasn't decreased two weeks from now, then you can start to be concerned. But the odds are good that that this will turn out to be nothing significant.

[Marble cake]

Thanks for your reply.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by Marble cake

The bloodwork from 6 months ago was normal and my total wbc was normal then and now as well...


Any encouraging thoughts?

If your total WBC count was normal, then presumably the portion of lymphocytes was a little elevated (they're reported as % of total)-- How does this genius doctor know it's elevated lymphocytes and not a decrease in the proportion of one of the other WBC types? I bet he never thought of that.


If he thinks a repeat test is warranted, then 2 weeks might be too soon.


Normal lymphocyte counts are a few thousand. Lymphocytic leukemia has counts more like 60-100,000. Aredhel correctly points out that viral infections commonly cause a rise in lymphocyte counts 2 or 3 x normal and may take a few weeks to come down.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by Marble cake

I had routine bloodwork and I went to the dr for results. All was ok but he mentioned my lymphocytes wear slightly elevated. He went on and on about leukemia and all the different types. So he wants me to get another CBC in 2 weeks.

I was floored. I feel fine and this kind of talk unnerved me quite a bit. Very unexpected.

I told him I had a cold prior to my bloodwork. But he insisted on the 2 week recheck. He also stated that if it isn’t normal in 2 weeks, he will send me to a hemotologist.

The bloodwork from 6 months ago was normal and my total wbc was normal then and now as well.

Needless to say I’m quite concerned, especially since I don’t feel physically sick. Like what the heck. This came out of left field for sure.

Any encouraging thoughts?

Doesn't sound alarming, could be nothing. I had Lymphoma and now my lymphocytes are always very low, it bothers me but there's nothing I can do about it.