Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]

Chris Howard3 said:Hey, thanks so much for getting back to me on that.
I'm just checking in to see where everyone stands on this. ORL I'm in. So, looking back at the last three months, I’d say it’s happened about ten times now. So, my initial diagnosis was allergic rhinitis—basically, they flagged me for having sensitivities to inhaled allergens, which is where this whole thing started. Just one more point to add to the tally.They’re built to last. So, I’ve been dealing with this constant, nagging irritation in my throat and nose lately—just that weird, scratchy sensation that won't quit. It’s one of those things where you aren't exactly dying, but it’s just enough to be incredibly annoying while you're trying to go about your day. Honestly, it feels like there's this persistent dryness or maybe some low-grade inflammation hanging out right in the nasal passages and the back of the throat. I can't quite put my finger on whether it's just the seasonal air being particularly brutal or if my sinuses are just throwing a tantrum for no reason. It’s that subtle, irritating itch that makes you want to constantly clear your throat or sniffle, even when you know there isn't much to clear. Just one of those minor, nagging nuisances that settles in and refuses to leave. They actually found it right there in your nose. Staph infections can be such a massive pain in the neck. It’s one of those things you don't think twice about until it decides to show up and ruin your week. Honestly, if you ever find yourself dealing with one, just take it seriously from the jump. You don't want to play games with it. But honestly, that’s totally normal. I mean, you're looking at someone who's older by about twelve months, so it makes perfect sense. son He had it. Just kidding. They found his...So, I was reading up on strep pneumonia the other day—you know, that whole nasty business where the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria decides to move into your lungs and make life miserable. It’s one of those things that sounds relatively straightforward until you’re actually dealing with the fever and that deep, hacking cough that just won't quit. Honestly, it reminds me of that brutal flu season we had a few years back when everyone in my neighborhood seemed to be down for the count at the same time. It’s a heavy hitter, and if you aren't careful, it can turn into something much more serious than a standard chest cold. Just something to keep an eye on if you start feeling like you've been hit by a freight train. Cut it out. So, I was looking into *Streptococcus pyogenes* the other day—you know, that classic strep bug that seems to love making life miserable whenever it feels like it. It’s one of those things that sounds almost scientific and sophisticated until you realize it's just a common culprit behind all sorts of nasty throat infections and skin issues. Honestly, it's kind of wild how such a tiny little thing can cause such a massive headache for people across the country. It really makes you appreciate those days when you wake up feeling perfectly fine, without any scratchy throat or fever looming over your head. Just one of those things you don't think about until it decides to show up uninvited. Everyone’s whispering that it happened to me too, back when I was stuck in the hospital dealing with that nasty throat swelling. It felt like my airway was closing up, and honestly, having doctors hovering over you while you can barely swallow is an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone.
So, I’ve been on two boxes of Leukoclar XL at a time ever since last year. Just to give you some context on my recent labs, my CRP was sitting at 14.6 about ten days before I got these latest results, though my white blood cell count was totally fine at 9. That CRP reading was actually taken on just my second day of being on the Leukoclar, whereas these current numbers came in on day twelve of the treatment. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out with this.

There’s definitely some room to dig deeper here—honestly, I think we could probably justify running some additional nasal and throat swabs, mostly because it doesn't look like the Lecoklar is doing much to actually wipe out the infection. possible You really need to look into the specific pathogen involved—it’s worth running a blood culture, especially if there's a fever in the mix—and just generally dig a little deeper to see what's actually going on. Could be a second opinion. So, basically, we need to track down this inflammatory process that isn't actually coming from the ENT side of things. We’ll need to go over those pathology results again, just to be safe, and then beef up the lab work to get the full picture.
You know, there’s also this whole thing called a "superinfection" that can kick in when you've been stuck on the same antibiotic for way too long. It's one of those things where the meds actually end up clearing the path for something else to move in and cause trouble.

Greetings to everyone!

Forgive my sudden intrusion here, but quite frankly, I simply don't have the capacity to sift through hundreds of individual posts right now.
The situation is this: because my recent lab results were exceptionally poor, I've been sent off for further diagnostic testing, and I am desperately hoping someone here might understand what on earth is happening.

Since the initial findings were so alarming, the hematology department at the Mayo Clinic is demanding additional tests before they can even consider starting any kind of treatment plan.

Previous labs:

Hb 90 (119-157)

Hct 0.299 (0.356-0.47)

MCV 75.12 (82-101)

MCH 22.62 (30-35)

MCHC 301 (320-345)

WBC differential: neutrophils 40.84 (50-70)
lymphocytes 44.4 (20-40)
monocytes 10.24 (2-8)

Biochemistry
Fe 2 (8-30) !!!

Endocrinology
Ca125 36.3 36.3 (0-35)

Now they are ordering:

Se, ferritin, kks, RTC, Ldh, direct and indirect Coombs test, liver panel, gamma GT, bilirubin.

If anyone could offer some coherent help, share an experience, or provide an explanation—it would mean everything. Thank you so much.

Best regards!

I am reaching out because I am quite uncertain about my current situation and would truly appreciate any insight regarding what might be happening. My gastroenterologist referred me for an endoscopy because I have been struggling with persistent burping that leaves a distinct taste of cigarette smoke in my mouth—which is incredibly baffling since I haven't touched a cigarette in over twenty years.
We didn't end up performing the gastroscopy because, back when I had one about 25 years ago, there was some minor esophageal damage, and frankly, I was too hesitant to undergo the procedure again. For context, I am currently managing several health matters, including thyroid medication, blood pressure issues, and gout.

My MCHC is slightly elevated at 346
Basophilic granulocytes are at 0.08 x 10^9/L
Basophilic granulocytes are at 1.4%
Everything else on my complete blood count appears to be within the normal range.
Regarding my physical stats, I am somewhat heavy-set, weighing in at 238 lbs and standing 5'9".

stormyraven46 said:Now searching for:

Iron, ferritin, CBC, reticulocytes, LDH, direct and indirect Coombs tests, liver panel, GGT, and bilirubin.

If anyone can offer some coherent help, insight, or shared experience, I’d truly appreciate it. Much obliged.

Hey there.

To whom it may concern,

The results aren't great. They point toward moderate anemia—we usually don't start talking about "severe" cases until hemoglobin drops below 7.0 g/dL. Your hematologist was right to order follow-up tests; we need to pin down exactly what's driving this.

Ferritin—along with sedimentation rates—is a key metric here. It helps distinguish whether we're looking at iron-deficiency anemia (usually triggered by blood loss, whether that’s gynecological or stemming from the digestive or urinary tracts) or anemia of chronic disease. In a significant number of cases, low red blood cell counts are simply a byproduct of an underlying issue in another organ.

By looking at Coombs test parameters, reticulocyte count (Rtc), bilirubin, and LDH, we can determine if a low red blood cell count is driven by hemolytic anemia. Essentially, we're checking if those cells are being destroyed prematurely—a common occurrence in various autoimmune conditions, though certainly not limited to them.

Look, it’s impossible to pin down exactly what's causing your anemia or if it's the sole culprit just yet. Most signs point toward an iron deficiency, but we really need to see the full lab results before drawing any conclusions.

How was the anemia actually caught? Did you notice specific symptoms, or did it just pop up during a routine physical?

Bryan Harris13 said:I’m looking for some insight here. I’ve been referred for a gastroscopy by a specialist because I can't shake this constant burping that leaves a bitter, cigarette-like taste in my mouth—even though I haven't touched a cigarette in over 20 years. What should I expect if they actually find something?
I opted out of the endoscopy. About 25 years ago, I had some esophageal damage during a similar procedure, so I wasn't willing to risk it again. Currently managing several things: thyroid medication, blood pressure, and gout.

MCHC at 34.6—slightly elevated.
Basophilic granulocytes at 0.08 x 10^9/L.
Basophilic granulocytes at 1.4%.
Others have noted that the blood work looks clean.
Body weight: 238 lbs / 5'9"

To whom it may concern,

Regarding the basophil count—one specific type of white blood cell—it isn't significantly elevated. In fact, you could reasonably consider anything up to 0.08 x 10^9/L to be within the normal range.

Clinically speaking, we don't really start talking about basophilia—that uptick in basophil count—until it crosses the 1.00 x 10^9/L threshold.

While this doesn't apply to you—given that your results don't actually indicate basophilia—it’s worth noting that this phenomenon crops up in various contexts. You see it in infections (mainly viral ones, like the flu or chickenpox, or even just during recovery), allergies, and certain inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis. It can also stem from hormonal imbalances, like hypothyroidism or diabetes, or be a side effect of specific medications, including estrogen or thyroid treatments. Occasionally, it's linked to underlying hematological disorders as well.

An MCHC value can be considered normal. The real focus should be on your erythrocyte count, hemoglobin levels, and MCV.

Regarding those stomach issues, I suggest moving the conversation over to the Stomach Health thread. Let’s keep this discussion on track and avoid cluttering this topic with off-topic posts; either Dr. Hrvoje or another member will likely weigh in there.

Best regards. 🙂

Hey everyone!
I’m five months pregnant, and I just got some blood work back that’s sitting a little outside the normal range:
K-ERC 3.70 (3.86-5-08)
K-Hgb 12 (119-157)
K-Htc 0.328 (0.356-0.470)
K-MPV 10.7 (6.8-10.4)

My own takeaway here is that I'm likely dealing with some anemia caused by the increased blood volume that comes with pregnancy. I was fully expecting my iron levels to be low, yet somehow my results show a high reading of 19.9 (ref. 8-30). I might be asking a total moron question here, but I honestly can't wrap my head around the difference between that iron level and hemoglobin—specifically, why on earth isn't that iron being put to good use to actually build up the hemoglobin?

Dear Madam,

It’s standard for red blood cell counts to drop during pregnancy; by the third trimester, values can dip as low as 3.8 x 10^12/L.

Hemoglobin levels also tend to decline—typically around weeks 32 to 34—with a physiological floor usually sitting near 110 g/L.

Hematocrit levels follow a similar downward trend. In a pregnant patient, a value around 0.31 (31%) is still considered within the normal physiological range.

Furthermore, an iron level below 12 µmol/l is generally seen as an indicator of deficiency during pregnancy. I wouldn't characterize your specific result as being on the "high" side.

That said, keep in mind that blood iron concentrations fluctuate significantly throughout the day based on various factors. Iron levels should be viewed as a directional guide rather than a definitive, singular metric for assessing total body iron stores.

Regarding your question about dilution anemia: this isn't caused by a lack of iron. Rather, it happens because the liquid component of your blood increases, spreading your existing red blood cells across a larger volume. Think of it this way: if you drop ten coins into a water bottle and then toss them into the ocean, they'll be easy to find and count in the bottle, but nearly impossible to track down in the sea.

Best regards. 🙂

I just realized I misread my own results—my hemoglobin is actually at 112, not 12, which is honestly such a ridiculous oversight on my part. 🙂

Anyway, thanks for the input; I just got off the phone with my doctor, and he didn't really have much to say about it, though he did suggest I start drinking some beet or blackberry juice, so my husband went ahead and picked up some Microsoft syrup for me to try out.

Robert Green93 said:My GGT levels were elevated.
I went in for a blood draw about ten days ago.
I was at 84, and if I recall correctly, the limit is 55.

I hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for 20 days leading up to the tests.
Does this mean my liver is basically in a coma because of my past lifestyle, or can things actually get back to normal?

Look, your results aren't a catastrophe.
It would be a smart move to follow up with an
abdominal ultrasound
and check hepatitis markers
along with KKS, CRP, ALT, GGT, ALP, bilirubin (total and direct), LDH, CK, Iron, UIBC, glucose, urea, and creatinine.
Stick to a strict hepatoprotective diet.

Bryan Harris13 said:I’m asking because I want to know what happens if there's an actual answer out there. A specialist referred me for a gastroscopy because I’m dealing with constant burping that tastes like cigarette smoke—even though I haven't touched a cigarette in over 20 years.
We didn't go through with the gastroscopy because my esophagus was slightly damaged during one about 25 years ago, and I just wasn't willing to do it again. I’m currently on medication for my thyroid, blood pressure, and gout.

MCHC 346 is slightly elevated
basophilic granulocytes 0.08 x 10^9/L
basophilic granulocytes 1.4 rel %
Everything else in the blood work looks normal
Body mass: HEAVY, 108 kg / 176 cm

1. What exactly are your symptoms?
2. Can you provide the full set of results?
3. Which specific medications are we talking about? For the thyroid, I assume it's something like Synthroid (Levothyroxine),
and for blood pressure, there’s a massive selection—beta blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Calcium channel blockers, etc.
As for the gout, I’m guessing Allopurinol or maybe some NSAIDs.
4. And what do you mean by "slightly damaged esophagus"?

stormyraven46 said:Hey everyone!
.
Previous results:
Hb 90 (119-157)
Hct 0.299 (0.356-0.47)
MCV 75.12 (82-101)
MCH 22.62 (30-35)
MCHC 301 (320-345)
Neutrophils 40.84 (50-70)
lymphocytes 44.4 (20-40)
monocytes 10.24 (2-8)
Biochemistry
Iron 2 (8-30) !!!
Endocrinology
CA-125 36.3 (0-35)
Now requesting:
Selenium, ferritin, KKS, LDH, direct and indirect Cummings test, liver panel, GGT, bilirubin.
If anyone can offer any coherent help, advice, share their experience, or explain things, I would be so grateful. Thanks a million.
Best regards!

These results are definitely pathological. However, since I don't have the full clinical picture or patient history, my take is that they need much more extensive testing—specifically an abdominal ultrasound.
KKS, CRP, urea, creatinine, LDH, Iron, UIBC, ferritin, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Glucose, total and direct bilirubin, coagulation profile
TSH, ANA, ANCA,
Blood cultures x3, urinalysis,
CA-125, CA 15-3,
Gynecological exam and ultrasound
GI endoscopy—given the GI symptoms, lab findings, etc.

copperwalker19 said:Hi everyone!
I'm five months pregnant, and my recent blood work is slightly outside the normal ranges:
K-ERC 3.70 (3.86-5.08)
K-Hgb 12 (119-157)
K-Htc 0.328 (0.356-0.470)
K-MPV 10.7 (6.8-10.4)

My own takeaway is that this is anemia caused by increased blood volume during pregnancy. I expected low serum iron, but the result actually showed a high level of 19.9 (ref. range 8-30). Maybe I'm asking a stupid question, but I don't understand the difference between that iron and hemoglobin—why wasn't that iron utilized to produce hemoglobin?

Normal results.

vividsailor7 said:1. What symptoms are you experiencing?
2. Full test results?
3. Current medications—I assume LT4 for the thyroid,
but there is a massive selection for hypertension—for instance, beta-blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, sartans, calcium channel blockers,
and I assume allopurinol and NSAIDs for the gout.
4. What exactly does "mildly damaged esophagus" mean?

Colleague Hrvoje,

I specifically requested that further discussion regarding stomach issues be moved to the linked thread rather than here. We need to avoid going off-topic; given that the results provided are normal, that aspect of the conversation is concluded from this standpoint.

Please respect this request.

Thanks for understanding. 🙂

Maria Fisher46 said:Colleague Hrvoje,

I specifically requested that any further discussion regarding stomach issues be moved over to the linked thread rather than continuing here. We need to avoid drifting off-topic. Since the test results provided are normal, from a clinical standpoint, this conversation is finished.

Please respect this request.

Thanks for understanding. 🙂

Since there wasn't a red warning notice, I assumed replying was fine, right?
I didn't read your response closely—just skimmed it—so I missed that. My apologies.

vividsailor7 said:First, you really need a thorough endocrine workup. Check your blood pressure,
get a full metabolic panel done—glucose, creatinine, urea, urate, K, Na, Cl, lipid profile...
Then check ACTH, repeat cortisol at 8h, 16h, and 24h urine, LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, P4, E2, DHEA
along with 24h urinary potassium and sodium.
The next steps will depend entirely on what those results show.

Just checking in.

I haven't done the general metabolic panel yet because my primary care doctor insisted my last cortisol reading was fine (even though it wasn't). 🙂 🙂
According to the lab, my cortisol levels were within range,
but the folks at the lab don't bother
to flag if a value is elevated compared to the morning cortisol; they don't include any warnings. Because of that, even the doctor likely missed that my afternoon cortisol is actually rising compared to the morning, even though both fall within the standard reference range. That’s regarding my old results.
(Nine months ago, my morning level was 1047, while the upper limit was around 680. Last month, my morning was about 440 and my afternoon was about 460. The lab uses a single reference range for both morning and afternoon, with an upper limit of roughly 480.)

Thank God for the internet, allowing people to research and understand how specific hormones should behave according to their daily rhythms...

I went to see the endocrinologist and basically told her off. $133
(Along with high cortisol, my androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone were all significantly elevated—almost double for some. This ruled out PCOS, and I have to say, my OB/GYN told me my last cortisol result was normal. So, I had to explain to her that while it's technically "within range," the fact that the afternoon level isn't dropping but is actually rising is wrong. She eventually agreed that I needed to see an endocrinologist to rule out adrenal issues or tumors.) 🙂 🙂

Here are the results:
Day 1:
Morning cortisol: 379.6 (171-536)
Afternoon cortisol: 399.5 H (64-327)

Morning ACTH: 3.42 (1.6-13.9)
Afternoon ACTH: 10.12 (left blank on the report)

Day 2 (I took 1mg of dexamethasone at 10:30 PM the night before):
Morning cortisol: 24.19 L (131-536)

Could someone please comment on the ACTH? From what I understand, that should be dropping too.

My understanding is that this low dose of dexamethasone is used to see if the cortisol responds. If it drops, it suggests we can rule out certain adrenal diseases or tumors—meaning the cortisol isn't running wild on its own, but rather something above the adrenal gland,
which, in my opinion, could be the ACTH, meaning the pituitary.

Now, I'm struggling to interpret this post-dex results because the reference range listed for morning cortisol is lower than the one from the day I did my regular cortisol test without the dexamethasone.

So, I'm not sure if my post-dex cortisol is normal. I've read that after a low dose of dexamethasone, cortisol should drop below 50, indicating suppression, but you can't always trust that since it depends on which lab you use.

Also, I wanted to offer some advice to anyone dealing with cortisol issues: this approach is a good way to determine if there's a disorder involving cortisol or ACTH.
And don't bother testing cortisol without checking ACTH, and make sure to test it in the afternoon as well.

So, you take cortisol and ACTH in the morning, then again in the afternoon, followed by 1mg of Dex at about 10:30 PM, and finally, you do the morning cortisol and ACTH tests.

My endocrinologist set it up this way, and I honestly think this is the best way to start.
I managed to get everything done in two days, and my results were ready within three.

Sorry for the long post!

P.S. Oh, and on the second day, I didn't have ACTH checked after the Dex. My wonderful doctor forgot to include both cortisol and ACTH on the referral—only the Dex test was listed. Even though I showed the nurse at the lab the orders and told her I needed ACTH too, she insisted it wasn't necessary.

I just got my lab results back because I’m thinking about starting birth control... wondering if these minor deviations will be an issue
leukocyte - 4.9 (3.4-9.7)
erythrocytes - 4.91 (3.86-5.08)
hemoglobin - 144 (119-157)
hematocrit - 0.409 (0.356-0.470)
MCH - 29.3 (27.4-33.9)
MCHC - 351 (320 - 345)
MCV - 83.3 (83.0-97.2)
platelets - 279 (158-424)
RDW - 11 (9.0-15.0)
MPV - 6 (6.8-10.4)
cholesterol - 5.5 (triglycerides - 0.5 (prothrombin time - 0.82 Q% (0.70-1.00)
prothrombin time - 1.12 INR (0.8 - 1.12)
Thanks in advance. :-)

Hello everyone,
I’ve previously posted about my own concerning labs—specifically my AST at 53 (range 8-30),
ALT at 62 (range 10-36),
CRP at 68,
MPV at 11.1,
leukocyte count at 11.7 (range 3.4-9.7),
monocytes at 1.33 (range 0.12-0.84),
neutrophils at 73 (range 44-72),
lymphocytes at 15 (range 20-46),
and monocytes again at 11.
Just ten days after that blood draw, everything had normalized—well, except for my AST which was 31 and ALT at 49.
Now, my three-year-old son has developed a fever, along with these results:
MCV 72.6 (range 73.6-89.4),
MCH 24.0 (range 24.3-29.2),
RDW 16.3 (range 11.9-16.2),
immature granulocytes at 3 (range 0-2),
segmented granulocytes at 26 (range 30-72),
atypical lymphocytes at 9,
AST 59 (range 24-49),
and ALT 44 (range 9-20).

Is it possible we are both dealing with infectious mononucleosis here? I would truly appreciate any insight you can offer. Thanks so much.

Hey, I just got my allergy blood work back, and there’s this "dz 23" listed next to the diagnosis at the end. Does anyone know what that actually means? Thanks in advance.

I’ve been running some blood tests because my stomach has been giving me absolute hell

The only thing that came back flagged is a GGT of 63, while my AST is at 36 and ALT is sitting at 22

Is it possible this spike is being triggered by gallstones?