Blood Tests and Tiredness?

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Over this last few years I have been feeling really tired. Since I started my Uni placement it has got worse. My eyes always feel sore and heavy and my body is just exhausted. I get really thirsty sometimes and my legs ache! I also get light headed the odd time, but not very often. Plus I am finding it really hard to get up out of bed in the mornings even though I go to bed at 10pm everything night. On top of this I've been having migraines for over a year now.

I've been to the doctors and had many blood tests. My doctor made an appointment with a consultant and gave me a letter to give to him. It said that I had persistent lymphopenia at 1.1, otherwise it's nad. Does anybody know what this means? Also I had abnormal LFTs (think it was ALT=62, but can't be sure) and my bilirubin levels were 27. Any suggestions on why this could be??

My consultant couldn't really tell me anything and I have to go back to him in May, after my ultra scan in April.
Bit dangerous to conjecture without a full history, past history and sight of your complete results. I do a lot of ' tiredness screens' each year perhaps about 100 or so. I always advise patients that overall only about 10% come up with an abnormality and only about half of those abnormalities are correctable.
The commonest correctable abnormalities being : anaemia, diabetes, occult infection, and rarest occult tumours including haematological malignancies including myeloma and leukaemia.

The commonest untreatable finding is evidence of viral illness with white count and immunoglobulin suppression.

I assume you doctor did FBC+ film ESR CRP U+E LFTs FBS,TFTs MSSU he may have checked immunoglobulin electrophoresis. You can check.

Looking at what results you have given you might fall into the untreatable findings group.
Your lymphopaenia suggests post viral bone marrow suppression, your LFTs might also be explained by this though your bilirubin might suggest Gilbert's disease, a minor congenital abnormality that shows a raised level of bilirubin and extra tiredness with viral illnesses, also untreatable.

You have probably had enough screening already to exclude there being much risk of anything more serious,(but doctors must never say never!) Your FBC + LFTs do need repeated because they were abnormal, and you could ask your GP to check your immunoglobulins at the same time if this has not been done.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.  (+ info)

I need a Doc's answer!?!??!?

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I know I have asked this question alot but, nobody is answering. Does anyone know what causes lymphopenia?
Come on guys! If you can't answer seriously please don't post. I'm 15 by the way if that helps with causes.
I'm not a doctor but I have a reference book here that lists the following causes:

Lymphocytopenia, also known as Lymphopenia, is associated with corticosteroid use (which is basically steroids - whether it be topical/skin creams or the actual steroids produced by the pituitary gland in your body), infections with HIV and other viral, bacterial, and fungal agents, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, malnutrition, systemic lupus erythematosus, high stress levels, whole body radiation, rheumatoid arthritis, and iatrogenic conditions.

Iatrogenic refers to diseases or illnesses brought on by ones self by use of drugs or therapy - such as steroid medications, chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

I hope this helps a little.  (+ info)

housemaid's knee or something else?

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Last night, totally out of the blue my knee became swollen with a tennis ball sized fluid swelling. By this morning it had gone down somewhat in size but the fluid had spread all over my kneecap and its been agony all day. I saw a nurse at the out of hours surgery and she diagnosed 'housemaids knee'. Now my other knee is really painful also,although no swelling so far! Im just not sure im happy with the diagnosis. I have not been kneeling, I havent knocked or had any type of injury to my knees at all. Not even minor. I have a low white cell disorder, neutropenia and lymphopenia and wonder if that has anything to do with it?? I was told its highly unlikely to be an infection if its both knees. But how can it be 'housemaids knees' if its both knees and neither have suffered any trauma or kneeling??!! Not even a gentle run!!
You really need to see your doctor as soon as possible.
I suspect an infection.

If it happens again or you develop any other symptoms go to A&E. immediately  (+ info)

how would you interpret these blood test irregularities?

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slightly high hemoglobin level: 33.6, reference level: 27-32

low white blood cells: 3.3, reference level is 4-10 (i almost always have borderline or below normal have had from 2.8 to 5.5, last november it was 4.6- i got tons of blood work by specialists last year to check this out, but they found nothing)

lymphopenia: 1.09 reference: 1.5-4, last november: 1.33

basophils: 0
monocytes: 0.16, reference: 0.20-1.00, last november: 0.31

iron saturation: 20%, reference 20% -40%
magnesium: 1.00, reference: 0.74-0.99
vitamin D: 22, reference: 30-100

it's my doctor who recommended these tests and he's nice and patient but not all that great, all in all.
last year i was exhausted and had prickly feelings on extremities and diarhea all for about 3 months.

then i felt better little by little with only occasional symptoms. now i've been feeling the same stuff for the past couple of weeks.

any ideas????

THANK YOU!
most of the symptoms you mention can be related to your vitamin D deficiency, you should probably be taking Vitamin D supplements.  (+ info)

Neutropenia, enlarged spleen and other symptoms???

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Can anybody help I have recently undergone tests that showed I have an enlarged spleen and low white blood count(Neutrophil 0.8 which has since come up to 2.1) longstanding Lymphopenia. Microcytic anemia.

I have since had lower back pain and now have slightly swollen hands and feet with a burning, tingling sensation.

Thy let me out of hospital as it was decided I had more risk of infection in there. I am awaiting a haematology appointment and follow up ultrasound scan to check spleen.

I have to go for more bloods tomorrow?

If anybody has any info/advice I would be very grateful.
Thanks
What exactly is your question ? Do you want to know the expected outcome ?! Only your doctor will be able to tell you that as he/she is the one who examines you, knows your medical history and will be getting the results of your blood tests being done tomorrow.  (+ info)

Interpretation of this blood test?

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slightly high hemoglobin level: 33.6, reference level: 27-32

low white blood cells: 3.3, reference level is 4-10 (i almost always have borderline or below normal have had from 2.8 to 5.5, last november it was 4.6- i got tons of blood work by specialists last year to check this out, but they found nothing)

lymphopenia: 1.09 reference: 1.5-4, last november: 1.33

basophils: 0
monocytes: 0.16, reference: 0.20-1.00, last november: 0.31

iron saturation: 20%, reference 20% -40%
magnesium: 1.00, reference: 0.74-0.99
vitamin D: 22, reference: 30-100

last year i lacked vitamin D severely (7) and have taken a vitamin D mega-dose since this last test.

all of the following are normal: hemoglobin, hematocrit, eosinophils, platelets, ERS (a bit low: 6 after one hour), iron(i had taken about 6 iron pills in the week before the test) B12, fasting glycemia is a bit near borderline (both my parents got type two diabetes in their old age, they were overweight i am not. ), creatin, sodium, potassium, cholesterol, iron total capacity of iron in transferrin, bilirubin, transaminos, calcium, c reactive protein
last year i was totally exhausted with diarrhea and prickly nerve endings for a few months. since then, i've had those symptoms only occasionally. in last weeks i've had great fatigue, etc, again.

no cause has been found. i've had blood tests, mris, coloscopy and all seems well.
i went to see my doctor who prescribed the blood tests, but he's a bit lame. haven't been able to find a really good doctor.
pseudonymn
Higher than normal hemoglobin levels can be seen in people living at high altitudes and in people who smoke. Dehydration produces a falsely high hemoglobin which disappears when proper fluid balance is restored. If the test was done after a period of diarrhoea, this might have influenced the result. Some other infrequent causes include - advanced lung disease (for example, emphysema), certain tumours, a disorder of the bone marrow known as polycythemia rubra vera, and abuse of the drug erythropoietin (Epogen) by athletes for blood doping purposes. Even though your reported level, against the reference level, is elevated, it is not so greatly elevated as to cause concern.
Leukopenia refers to an abnormal decrease in the number of leukocytes. This may be secondary to a deficiency of any or all of the WBCs but it is most commonly caused by a depression of neutrophils (neutropenia). Granulocytopenia, often used as a synonym for neutropenia, technically refers to decreased eosinophils and basophils as well as neutrophils. This obviously does not apply in this case as your reported eosinophils are normal, You have a zero against basophils; as the normal count should be between 0% and 2%, they are normal also. Some causes of leukopenia may include marrow failure, peripheral destruction or shift into the storage or marginated compartments. If this were the cause, there would be other signs and symptoms, which I shall not discuss here.
Lymphopenia refers to a decreased number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the blood which can be caused by many conditions. In adults, a lymphocyte level below 1,500 cells/microlitre is diagnostic. This obviously applies to you but there is no obvious cause to be discerned from your stated description. Your symptoms of ‘fatigue with diarrhoea and prickly nerve endings’ are similar to symptoms of withdrawal symptoms of some drugs, for example prozac. However there are other symptoms which include weight gain that are not included in your stated symptoms.
The only possible suggestion that I am able to make, without the aid of tests or examination, and taking into account the results you have given, is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - CFS. But even this is not a clearly defined choice. You would be advised to continue to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and endeavour to find a definitive diagnosis.



ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.


The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.


I add a link with details of this subject

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/
articles/chronic_fatigue.html


Hope this helps
matador 89  (+ info)

How would you interpret these blood test irregularities?

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slightly high hemoglobin level: 33.6, reference level: 27-32

low white blood cells: 3.3, reference level is 4-10 (i almost always have borderline or below normal have had from 2.8 to 5.5, last november it was 4.6- i got tons of blood work by specialists last year to check this out, but they found nothing)

lymphopenia: 1.09 reference: 1.5-4, last november: 1.33

basophils: 0
monocytes: 0.16, reference: 0.20-1.00, last november: 0.31

iron saturation: 20%, reference 20% -40%
magnesium: 1.00, reference: 0.74-0.99
vitamin D: 22, reference: 30-100

everything else normal

it's my doctor who recommended these tests and he's nice and patient but not all that great, all in all.
last year i was exhausted and had prickly feelings on extremities and diarhea all for about 3 months.

then i felt better little by little with only occasional symptoms. now i've been feeling the same stuff for the past couple of weeks.

any ideas????

THANK YOU!
What lab does your doctor use??? I think you're female and a normal Hgb is 12-15. Check your labs again.

Total WBC should be 4.5-10. The 4.6 from November is fine. Lymphopenia is a diagnosis, not a blood test. Lymphocytes should be 1.7-3.5 (25%-35%). Yours is essentially 1.1, slightly low, not worrisome.

Basophils should be 40-100 (0.4%-1%). You don't seem to have any. Monocytes should be 200-600 (4%-6% though some labs use 2%-8%). Your levels & ref range don't make sense to me.

A transferrin sat is 20%-35% for females so you're okay. Mag levels are 1.5-2.5 (What ref range is your lab using??!! Yours doesn't make sense in mEq/L OR mg/dL) If your calcitriol (vit. D) is low, then your calcium may be high. What were your calcium levels? And which vit. D test did the doctor order? The 25 (OH)D? This is thee test. Optimal is 50-65. Yours makes no sense.

If you're not completely happy with your present physician, change. Otherwise accept him the way he is. You might ask about a bone marrow aspiration & biopsy and is it advisable at this time

As for interpretation, the only one who should be doing this is your physician.  (+ info)

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