I had some blood drawn to check my thyroid function at a dr appt Thursday. The office called and said they had the results back. Thyroid function was in the normal range but did register, and these are the nurses words, a "nonspecific infection". I asked what to do, what that means, and got no info other than to keep my scheduled appt.
I'm wondering what is the next step I should take now since this office didn't seem to be too concerned about it. Call back and ask again or wait?
2006-09-15 18:25:48 · 8 answers · asked by anitatrue 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
Yes, it must have shown that your WBC's (white blood cells that respond to foreign bodies and inflammation) are elevated. This could mean a couple things, I'll stick to just two. 1. you have an infection could be bacterial or viral (flu, cold, or other) 2. You have inflammation of any part of your body, the body reacts to inflammation by sending white cells to clear the damage. Inflammation can be caused by many different things (trauma/injury, disease processes). You do state that you have a scheduled appt. I would believe that you are safe to wait until your appt as long it's not a extended amount of time and you do not feel ill or show signs of infection (temp> 101.5, chills, obvious red swollen areas, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea) or any obvious injuries (swollen joints, joint pain, painful areas on the body, bruising). You should certainly see your physician regardless of when the appt is to discuss the test results but from the information given, it does not seem to be life threatening or an emergent situation.
2006-09-15 18:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Steven T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may mean that along with thyroid funtion tests, a CBC (complete blood cell count) was also run. If so, then the white cell count was elevated suggesting infection. Since the doctor was monitoring your TFTs and not looking specifically for infection, they don't know what it is yet. Hence, nonspecific, because that's exactly what it is. Call back and ask to speak to the doctor about it. You may have to wait until after patient hours for him/her to return your call. Have your questions ready and one of them should be "What are you going to do about it?".
2006-09-16 01:35:02 · answer #2 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when they tested your thyroid, they probably did a CBC (complete blood count)That will Tell the MD About your Red bloods cell, White blood cells etc.. In you case, I believe that you white blood count is elevated slightly. what that means it your body is trying to fight a infection somewhere. It does not mean your sick. But if you get a fever, sore throat, S/S of UTI, or signs of a infection, notify your MD. that small elevation my become a large elevation and need to be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, infections do change thyroid levels.
2006-09-16 01:39:02 · answer #3 · answered by Linda G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can do tests to measure the responses that your immune function makes when it encounters an infection. they aren't testing for a specific virus or anything so can't tell quite what it is, but they know your immune system is reacting to something. Probably its just some small thing you were exposed to and is not a big deal.
2006-09-16 01:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by kermie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It just means that you have an elevated white blood cell count. Call the lab that did your blood work and ask them to clarify it for you.
2006-09-16 01:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a poor terminology.
all what they saw is elevated white cell counts.
i think you are OK though.
2006-09-16 01:28:37 · answer #6 · answered by rafid k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get some more insurance to answer the rest of the question!
2006-09-16 01:29:31 · answer #7 · answered by ljjmjd3 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They will probably put you on antibodotics.
2006-09-16 01:31:37 · answer #8 · answered by Pantherempress 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋