boldfox5 said:I started running these tests on my dermatologist's orders. Between the hair loss and this constant scalp pain, things weren't looking great. Because of my anemia, she sent me straight to get three blood cultures done and flagged me for a follow-up with a gastroenterologist.
To whom it may concern,
The test results don't point to whatever is causing your symptoms. Based on what I'm seeing, your thyroid likely isn't the culprit behind the hair loss or scalp issues, even if that TSH level is starting to creep toward the top end of the normal range.
The labs show some gastrointestinal bleeding, which explains why you’re dealing with mild anemia. Those hemorrhoids you mentioned could definitely be the culprit, but you really need to follow through with that gastroenterologist referral. I see you've already been sent their way. It also looks like your dermatologist suggested checking your hormone levels; an imbalance there can easily trigger hair loss and scalp issues.
Chris Allen95 said:Could someone weigh in on some blood and urine results? I’m looking for some perspective. It involves my three-year-old. It started with a standard cold—fever peaked at 101°F for maybe two days. But about ten days before the fever and respiratory symptoms kicked in, he mentioned his legs were hurting once or twice a day. He specifically points to both knees. Even after starting Clavulin, the knee pain hasn't let up.
The combination of knee pain and my recent lab results is definitely weighing on me. Honestly, though? It’s the bloodwork that’s really throwing me for a loop.
Pre-clavocina bloodwork: RBC was low at 3.86. Post-therapy, it’s up to 4.20.
White blood cell count came back at 15.1 (normal range 5–13). Current reading: 5.8.
Monocytes at 15.2 (ref: 5-13). Current reading: 6.9.
Lymphocytes at 31.6 (Ref: 15-55). The high marker is sitting at 55.4.
CRP 85 (Ref Range: 0.1–2.8) — 15.7H
MCH 29.1 (Ref range: 24.3–29.2). Current reading: 29.6. High.
RDW stands at 12.2, with the standard range sitting between 11.9 and 16.2. Hemoglobin is 11.5. It’s a narrow margin.
Everything else on both lab reports looks solid. Just a few minor flags in the urine analysis—some bacteria and salt levels are off—but the rest is within the normal range.
I’m a bit out of my depth here, but I'm struggling to make sense of these lab results. It’s confusing how his CRP is trending toward normal after the Augmentin treatment, and both the white blood cell count and monocytes are stabilizing, yet the lymphocyte levels, MCH, and RDW look even worse than they did before the meds started. That gap in the lymphocyte numbers, in particular, seems massive.
Blood was drawn on 09/29 and 10/02.
Eating normally, drinking fine, activity levels are steady. No swelling in the legs or anything like that. Everything seems standard.
I’d appreciate some insight on these results. I'm seeing a few inconsistencies that don't quite add up, and I'm trying to figure out if there's a direct link to this knee pain.
To whom it may concern,
The trend aligns with what we expected. I don't see any reason for concern here. Joint pain—arthralgia, if you want to be technical—is a common side effect seen during many types of infections. As the infection clears, the aches subside, typically leaving no lasting impact.
If we were looking at septic arthritis—an actual joint infection—the clinical picture would be entirely different. The child wouldn't be acting this way; they’d be systemically unwell and unable to even stand. What we often see instead is reactive arthritis. That’s an inflammatory response that follows a prior infection, typically surfacing a few days or weeks after a respiratory or GI bug has cleared. In adults, it can also follow a UTI or an STI.
Since the child seems fine now and the symptoms have passed, the best move is to just re-verify the lab results once they've fully recovered.
