High White Blood cell Count..?

Question

Hello
I am worried.I went to the dr to be checked for diabities.which I dont have.But th dr said I need to see a hematologist..Said my white blood cell count went from Leuko= 16.20 on sept.3,2007 to Leuko= 18.20 on oct.4,2007....He says that is bad.And worst case scenerio is Lukemia..I will be honest.I am terrified.Is there and drs or Medical people that can help? Do i really need to worry about leukemia? Can something else be the problem? I hav also had 2 Bronchitis Infections around this time,and finished with Antibiotics.Plus have Asthma,and a Smoker....
Michele

Answer 1

I sent a detailed answer two days ago.
' Surprised you didn't get it.
Does NOT look anything like acute leukemia from the WBC differential you sent. Secondary WBC elevation would easily fit this scenario. The WBC is not dangerously high.
It may be lab error or a secondary elevation which means the WBC is high from something else going on : e.g. infection, stress, corticosteroids (cortisone excess), and other causes other than leukemia. If you have asthma, perhaps you have taken prednisone which can easily cause this.
Primary myeloproliferative disorders (bone marrow overproducing blood cells) are not common in a 32 year old - - but possible 'IF' it is a primary hematologic problem. If so, it is very early and treatable.
The key is to see the hematologist and see what he or she says. The blood counts need to be repeated at a reliable lab and the blood smear should be viewed by an experienced blood specialist. Other tests depend on these findings and of course the history and physical examination.
Added note - Dr. Vasiljevic's answer above is correct except that acute leukemia can occur in younger people. I have treated many in the age range of 20-40 - - also a few people in their late teens. BUT, your white cell differential does not look like acute leukemia. We understand your fear and your desire for some reassurance while you wait to see the hematologist. You do need to keep that appointment.
I don't think he or she will give you the bad news you are most afraid of. Good Luck. (I'm sure you already know the smoking is bad for you. Tough habit to quit.)
RC MD Hematology/Oncology 20 years USA

Answer 2

It is not that having a high white blood cell count would have any side effects itself, but that a high white blood cell count can be a symptom of a number of different illnesses or caused by a number of different medications all of which can have other side effects. As the site provided below states: "A high blood count (above 30000 cells per micro-liter) indicates is not a specific disease by itself but indicates infection, systemic illness, inflammation, allergy, leukemia and tissue injury caused due to burns. The count of white blood cells also increases when certain medicines like antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs. Smoking and too much of mental stress also increases the count of the white blood cells in the body. Also, once the count of white blood cell is on the higher side, the risk of cardiovascular mortality also increases. It turns into a vicious circle."

Answer 3

Hi Michele,


I am an MD and I see you are very worried about your health. Try not to worry so much. Your white cell count as you described can be due to infections you had in association with other factors you mentioned (asthma, smoking).

Leukemia has as risk factors:
* natural or artificial ionizing radiation (if you worked in risky environment or with X-rays)
* certain kinds of chemicals (also correlated with profession)
* some viruses
* genetic predispositions (if somebody in your family had same condition)
and appears in adults over the age of 50-55. Plus, simple white cell count is NOT always enough for doctors to say one has leukemia.

Indeed, leukemia can be the worst scenario in your case but doctors must tell you and any other patient all the possibilities because of the law. It is not intended to scary patients and make them feel worse. Try to take care more about your health (asthma condition and smoking are not ideal combination), avoid going outside when it is cold and try to have more trust in your doctor.


Ivan Vasiljevic, MD
Graduated at www.umfcv.ro

Answer 4

When white cells are up it could be any number of infections.
White cells are there to fight off germs that are in your blood stream. Leukeimia is just one of the things it could be.. the bronchitis could have elevated it too.. I think your doctor should have taken that into consideration before even mentioning leukemia. And take your blood count once your healthy again not when your sick! smoking and asthma wouldn't have elevated the white cell count that much.

Answer 5

The only thing I can say is, you appear to have a pretty good infection... barring any further specific tests... I can't say if it's cancer or not..

Quit SELF DIAGNOSING ON THE INTERNET... you need to work with your doctor and I don't mean 'Doctor Answers'.

You wouldn't walk down the street and ask some pimply faced 15 year old kid on a skatboard, this question... would you?.. then WHY ARE YOU ASKING IT ON ANSWERS.?

If you aren't satisfied with your doctor then get a second opinion... but DO NOT SELF DIAGNOSE... it can KILL YOU.

Answer 6

A high WBC usually means the body is trying to protect itself from an infection. Don't automatiically think lukemia since you stated that you are prone to bronchial infections. Definitely go get checked asap.