lymp nodes question and blood work?

Question

Hey all,
I recently had blood work done just to get checked up and my lymph nodes section of the blood work came back irregular high the doctor stated. He stated that its nothing to worry about but didnt go into detail. He stated that he would run the test again and see if the levels came back high again. He did and they came back fine he said. My concern is why did they come up high to begin with ? What causes these levels to go up ? I hear that lymphatic cancer usually runs in the family, but it doesn't in mine. I do smoke about 8 cigarettes or less a day. I use to smoke more but lowered it because i have been trying to quit.
Never the less what does make this test come back high in levels and are there any preventative measures i can take for my health besides quitting smoking as im trying that now ?
Thank you and Happy Holidays !

for poster fool, thank you for the insight but can i get better answers with details and not opinions. Being that graves disease is mostly a womens disease.
thank you.

Answer 1

1. Any infection will cause an increase in the white blood cell count of a healthy immune system.
2. At time of first infection there is no antibody in blood and level does not begin to increase until between 7-10 days afterwards. The level of antibody rises slowly to a low peak and then gradually declines towards baseline. On subsequent exposure to same micro-organisms the level of antibody begins to increase within 24 hours and reaches a high level which is sustained.
3. You probably had a minor infection 1 - 2 weeks before the first test.
4. Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, maintain emotional balance, etc. Make sure your diet supplies enough vit. C. If you're open to herbs, take echinacea, goldenseal & maiitake.

Answer 2

well, i know from personal experience that mono affects the swelling of your lymph nodes, even after you've recovered. i dont know if this is a proven medical fact, but i've discussed it with several people and we have all come to the same conclusion.
anyway, if there is some life long link between mono and your lymph nodes busting up, and if your dr knows that you have had mono in the past or something, that might be why he waited to do another test to see if it still came back irregular.
keep in mind that a lot can go on with your lymph nodes without it being related to cancer in any way shape or form.

Answer 3

We usually do not think of the blood count that way. It is a percentage of granulocyes and percentage of lymphs. If the first was low the lymphs would be a higher percent. You may have had a viral infection at the time.

Answer 4

Please do your best to stop smoking. Your life may dpend on it. I know that is not easy, and that you are trying. I had no cancer in the family, never smoked, never drank, and was an athlete. And, whoops, I had Lymphoma. Stay in tune with your doctors, and don't hesitate to get more opinions or change docs. if you need to. Here's a site with the the best disease info:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes

Answer 5

Since you're a smoker and having issues with your lymph's, you could develop Grave's disease. You better cut that $#!+ out.