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

Angela Wright said:It’s exhausting. I can see this just dragging on until they eventually insist on a biopsy.

Unfortunately, if the remaining tests—Dr. Harvey put together a list ranging from metabolic issues to autoimmune liver diseases—don't turn up anything, then yes, a liver biopsy might be recommended.

So, I can at least go out in public, right? I'm not a biohazard? I've run out of excuses to avoid seeing people.

I don't think you're dealing with an acute EBV infection. Given that your viral hepatitis and CMV tests came back negative, there really isn't any reason to isolate or cut off social contact.

Generally speaking, the pattern of results you're seeing is typically interpreted in one of three ways: a past infection, recovery from an infection, or a reactivation. It all depends on your clinical symptoms and the antibody titers.

Thanks for the response, Nicholas Myers!
I honestly think there’s a chance I might have actually walked right through it. There was this stretch where we were all feeling totally wiped out, dealing with constant coughing and sniffles, plus I was running a low-grade fever right around the time before my first gallbladder attack. It’s entirely possible those two things overlapped. Tomorrow, I’m heading to my primary care doctor to get a referral so I can run a liver panel again.

Maria Fisher46 said:Hi there,

I have to admit, I didn't fully grasp what the neurologist's findings meant. Basically, if "foot drop" is happening on both sides, it doesn't necessarily signal something pathological. As for the reflexes, yeah, there can definitely be a noticeable difference between the upper and lower body.

So, what was the actual takeaway from the neurologist? Have they sent you for any follow-up tests yet?

Honestly, I don't think the lab results you've done so far will explain why your feet are tingling.

There are some minor deviations—like slightly elevated CRP (an inflammation marker), high uric acid (which could be related to weight or diet), and fasting glucose (even though you ate last night, your sugar was already at the high end of normal in the last test). It wouldn't hurt to check your HbA1c, and maybe do a fasting glucose test along with one two hours after a meal.

Definitely follow up with that neurologist.

Thanks for the reply! And yes, I did see a neurologist—it felt like the most logical next step.

He prescribed me Klaricid (500mg, twice a day for seven days) before I come back for a follow-up. He also wants to run an emng in about ten days; he explained that we need to wait at least 21 days from when the symptoms started so the results aren't falsely negative.

Eric Hernandez46 said:Thanks for getting back to me. And yes, I went to see a neurologist—seemed like the most logical step.

He prescribed Klaricid 500mg, twice a day for seven days, then follow up. He also wants to run an emng in about ten days. Apparently, we need to wait at least 21 days from when symptoms started to avoid a false negative. That’s how he explained it.

It was a smart move seeing the neurologist.

I'm a bit puzzled by the antibiotic for a respiratory issue, though. If the CRP and white blood cell counts aren't pointing toward a bacterial infection, why the prescription?!

Definitely proceed with the emng, but be prepared for the possibility of needing more tests down the road.

Best regards. 🙂

Maria Fisher46 said:It’s definitely a good move that you saw a neurologist.

I’m honestly a bit confused why an antibiotic for respiratory issues was prescribed, especially since the CRP and white blood cell counts don't point toward a bacterial infection?!

You should definitely go through with the emng, though they might want to run some extra tests later on.

Best, 🙂

I went in for my follow-up today after finishing my last dose of Klaricid last night. They drew blood this morning and just ran a CRP test; it dropped from 32 all the way down to 4.7 (normal is 0-4), so the doctors told me that’s it—the inflammation is cleared and things should settle down now.

My left leg feels fine now and the tingling has stopped. I can still feel a tiny bit of sensation in my right leg, but it's nowhere near how bad it was before... maybe less than 10% of what I was feeling.

They haven't scheduled the emng yet, so I'm not sure if the doctor decided to skip it because the CRP levels improved so much.🤷

Hi. What does it mean if my white blood cell count is normal but my CRP is elevated at around 25?
btw everything else on the CBC looks fine.

Eric Hernandez46 said:I went in for a checkup today after finishing my last dose of Klaricid last night. They drew blood this morning and only checked my CRP. It dropped from 32 down to 4.7 (normal range is 0-4), so they told me that's basically it—the inflammation is resolved and should settle down now...

My left leg feels fine now; the tingling has stopped. I’m still feeling a tiny bit of sensation in the right leg, but it's not even 10% of what it was before...

They haven't scheduled my emng yet. I'm not sure if the doctor decided to skip it because the CRP dropped so sharply.🤷

To whom it may concern,

I assume the neurologist prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic empirically, as your inquiries don't suggest you were experiencing symptoms typical of an infection.

The significant difference in reflex levels between your upper and lower body, combined with the intense tingling you described in previous posts—which prompted your ER visit—should, in my view, warrant a neurological evaluation.

It might be worth seeking a second opinion from another neurologist.

Karen Hernandez said:Hey. What does it mean if my white blood cell count is normal but my CRP is elevated (around 25)?
By the way, everything else in the CBC looks normal.

First, Paul Johnson, please let us know why those tests were ordered, whether you were experiencing any symptoms, and how many days after the onset of those symptoms the tests were performed.

In principle, CRP is a more sensitive marker than white blood cell counts, so it can sometimes rise due to inflammation or infection while the white cells remain within the normal range.

It took me about a week to finally pull myself together after dealing with a nasty stomach flu, and I just had my blood work done today. Here are the results:
HEMATOLOGY
(vK) erythrocytes * 5.03 ( o) 10e12/L 3.86 - 5.08
(vK) hemoglobin * 131 ( o ) g/L female 119 - 157
(vK) hematocrit * 0.396 ( o ) 0.350 - 0.470
(vK) MCV * 78.7 < ( ) fL 83.0 - 97.0
(vK) MCH * 26.0 < ( ) pg 27.4 - 33.9
(vK) MCHC * 331 ( o ) g/L 320 - 345
(vK) distr. erythrocytes * 14.2 ( o) % 9.0 - 15.0
(vK) platelets * 388 ( o) 10e9/L 158 - 424
(vK) MPV * 9.9 ( o ) fL 6.8 - 10.4
(vK) leukocytes * 12.0 ( ) > 10e9/L 3.4 - 9.7
(vK) neutrophils * 74.1 ( ) > % 44.0 - 72.0
(vK) # 8.91 ( ) > 10e9/L 2.06 - 6.49
(vK) lymphocytes * 19.5 < ( ) % 20.0 - 46.0
(vK) # 2.34 ( o ) 10e9/L 1.19 - 3.35
(vK) monocytes * 5.5 ( o ) % 2.0-12.0
(vK) # 0.66 ( o ) 10e9/L 0.12 - 0.84
(vK) eosinophils * 0.7 (o ) % 0.0-7.0
(vK) # 0.08 (o ) 10e9/L 0.00 - 0.43
(vK) basophils * 0.2 (o ) % 0.0-1.0
(vK) # 0.03 ( o ) 10e9/L 0.00 - 0.06

ESR
(vK) ESR 14 ( o ) mm/h 4 - 24

BIOCHEMISTRY
(S) bilirubin * 7.0 ( o ) μmol/L 3.0 - 20.0
(S) glucose * 7.4 ( ) > mmol/L 4.4 - 6.4
(S) alkaline phosphatase * 74 ( o ) U/L 30 - 120
(S) AST * 20 ( o ) U/L 8 - 30
(S) ALT * 27 ( o ) U/L 10 - 36
(S) GGT * 31 ( o) U/L female 9 - 35
(S) potassium * 3.6 < ( ) mmol/L 3.9 - 5.1
(S) sodium * 140 ( o ) mmol/L 137 - 146
(S) calcium * 2.54 ( ) > mmol/L 2.14 - 2.53
(S) iron * 9 (o ) μmol/L 8 - 30

PROTEINS
(S) CRP * 0.9 (o ) mg/L 0.0 - 5.0

I've marked the values that fall outside the standard range in bold.
I typically get my blood drawn every six months, and I've noticed my white blood cell count has gradually climbed from around 8 to 12 over the last year. Looking at everything else, should I be concerned about this trend?

For context, I have asthma and use Advair as needed. I also deal with frequent corneal herpes outbreaks—usually twice a year, sometimes more—with the most recent one occurring about ten days ago. Aside from that, I don't have any other health issues.

Thanks in advance for your help with these numbers. 🙂

Following up on my previous post, I’m also including the urinalysis results here:
URINALYSIS
(U) leukocytes 25 /μl; + neg.
(U) nitrites neg. μmol/L neg.
(U) urobilinogen norm. μmol/L normal
(U) proteins 0.25 g/l; + g/L neg.
(U) pH 6.0 ( o ) 5.0 - 9.0
(U) erythrocytes 10 /μl; + neg.
(U) specific gravity 1.020 ( o ) 1.002 - 1.030
(U) ketones neg. mmol/L neg.
(U) Bilirubin 0 neg. μmol/L neg.
(U) glucose norm. mmol/L norm.
URINE SEDIMENT
(U) erythrocytes 3-5 0 - 2
(U) leukocytes 4-6 0 - 2
(U) casts /
(U) crystals /
(U) cells 20-30 squamous epithelial cells
(U) significant bacteria present
(U) heavy mucus presence

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer. 🙂

I’ll jump in here briefly. I just received my serology results. I’ve been dealing with some vision issues, and the doctors suspect they might be linked to an underlying systemic infection or illness. I am currently in my thirties.

result reference value
EBV VCA IgM - NEGATIVE
EBV VCA IgG - POSITIVE >170 pos>=20 neg<20
EBV EA IgG - POSITIVE 57 pos>=20 neg<20
EBNA IgG - POSITIVE >200 pos>=20 neg<20
HSV IgM - POSITIVE
HSV 1 IgG - POSITIVE
VZV IgM - NEGATIVE
VZV IgG - POSITIVE >2000 pos>100 neg<50
VZV IgA - NEGATIVE

For heaven's sake, if anyone actually knows what they are talking about, please interpret this for me... because right now, I am completely lost.🙂

Hey there!

I was wondering if anyone with a bit of sense and free time could help me make sense of these lab results? I'm a woman in my early thirties:

slightly elevated FIBRINOGEN 4.2 g/L (ref. range 1.8-3.5)
moderately low MPV 6.2 fL (ref. range 6.8-10.4) - platelets are normal

Also, I have hyperlipidemia,

total cholesterol 7.4 mmol/L ( HDL 1.78 mmol/L (>1.2)
LDL 5.4 mmol/L ( triglycerides are normal.

I had these tests done as part of a checkup because I'm starting hormone replacement therapy due to low estradiol levels (secondary amenorrhea).

I did a little Googling, but I'm honestly not sure if I could "connect the dots" between all these numbers into one single diagnosis, even tentatively. So, thanks in advance to any kind soul with some expertise who'd be willing to share what they know!

mellowviper24 said:A week ago, I dealt with a stomach flu and intestinal virus, and I've only just recovered today. I had blood work done today, and these are the results:

Hello,

The results indicate:

a) neutrophilia—an elevated neutrophil count. Essentially, at the time of the draw, the high white blood cell count was driven by neutrophils. There are many reasons for an uptick in neutrophils and total white cells, and infections (primarily bacterial) are one common culprit. Regarding the link between asthma and leukocytosis: sometimes asthmatics show elevated white cell counts, but usually, that's due to increased eosinophils. Using an inhaled corticosteroid shouldn't significantly alter a blood count. Given that you've noted elevated white cell counts in several different tests, we really should look at the differential to see which specific cells are driving the total increase. In this case, it's the neutrophils;

b) elevated blood glucose—it's important to confirm if you were fasting;

c) abnormal urinalysis—there's evidence of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and protein in the urine. It would be worth clarifying if there are any urinary tract infection symptoms, vaginal discharge, or gynecological issues... A high number of squamous epithelial cells might suggest the sample wasn't collected properly.

d) low MCV—the red blood cell volume is down, and iron levels are also at the bottom edge of the range. Sometimes a drop in red cell volume serves as an early indicator of iron deficiency. Ferritin is generally a more reliable marker of iron stores than iron concentration alone, as the latter can fluctuate quite a bit throughout the day.

crimsonpuma10 said:I thought I’d jump in briefly. I just got my serology results back. I’ve been having some issues with my eyes, and they suspect it might be linked to something systemic or an underlying illness. I’m in my thirties.

result reference range
EBV VCA IgM - NEGATIVE
EBV VCA IgG - POSITIVE >170 pos>=20 neg<20
EBV EA IgG - POSITIVE 57 pos>=20 neg<20
EBNA IgG - POSITIVE >200 pos>=20 neg<20
HSV IgM - POSITIVE
HSV 1 IgG - POSITIVE
VZV IgM - NEGATIVE
VZV IgG - POSITIVE >2000 pos>100 neg<50
VZV IgA - NEGATIVE

Someone, please—if you actually know what this means—could you explain? I am completely lost here. 🙂

Ma'am,

Without more specific medical history, interpreting these serological markers is difficult.

In short, you were screened for three viruses: Epstein-Barr (EBV), which is typically associated with infectious mononucleosis; Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), usually linked to skin and mucosal infections presenting as blister-like rashes or sores; and Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and shingles.

The results don't suggest an acute (fresh) EBV infection, so your current symptoms probably aren't tied to that particular virus.

Regarding the VZV, you only tested positive for IgG antibodies. This simply indicates you’ve encountered the virus at some point in your life and have developed immunity. Beyond that, clinical history is required to say anything meaningful.

The HSV serology is the trickiest to read. It could also indicate a past encounter with the virus. However, the key factor is whether this was a primary infection or a reactivation of a previous one (noting that over 80% of people over age four have already been exposed).

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

Based on these results:

a) neutrophilia—meaning an elevated neutrophil count. In this instance, the higher white blood cell count at the time of sampling was driven specifically by those neutrophils. There are numerous reasons why neutrophils might spike, with infections (primarily bacterial) being a common culprit. Regarding the link between asthma and leukocytosis: occasionally, asthma patients show elevated white cell counts, though this is typically due to increased eosinophils rather than neutrophils. Using inhaled corticosteroids shouldn't significantly alter your blood work. Given that you've seen elevated white cell counts across several different tests, it would be wise to look closely at the differential count to see exactly which cells are driving the total increase. Here, it is clearly the neutrophils;

b) elevated blood glucose—it is vital to confirm whether you were fasting at the time of the test;

c) abnormalities in the urinalysis—there are traces of red blood cells, white blood cells, and protein. It would be worth clarifying if you are experiencing any urinary tract infection symptoms, vaginal discharge, or gynecological issues. Additionally, a high number of squamous epithelial cells might suggest the sample wasn't collected perfectly.

d) low MCV—this refers to red blood cell volume, and your iron levels are also sitting right at the bottom limit. Sometimes, a drop in red cell volume serves as an early warning sign of iron deficiency. Ferritin generally provides a much more reliable picture of your actual iron stores than serum iron alone, as iron levels can fluctuate quite a bit throughout the day.

Thank you so much for the response.
Regarding the glucose—I wasn't fasting, so I will certainly have the test repeated.

As for the urine test, I went ahead and had a culture done after these results came back, but the culture was sterile. My doctor doesn't think the urinalysis is cause for concern, but I am still uneasy about the presence of red blood cells and white blood cells. Would it be a good idea to repeat the urinalysis?
If the results come back unchanged, what should my next step be? Should I schedule an abdominal or kidney ultrasound?
And does the low MCV and borderline iron level have any connection to the urine findings?

Thanks in advance for your help. 🙂

Chloe Ruiz2 said:Hi there!

I’m looking for someone with a bit of insight to help me make sense of some lab results. I’m a woman in my early thirties:

slightly elevated FIBRINOGEN 4.2 g/L (ref range 1.8-3.5)
moderately low MPV 6.2 fL (ref range 6.8-10.4) — platelet count is normal

I also have hyperlipidemia.

Total cholesterol 7.4 mmol/L ( HDL 1.78 mmol/L (>1.2)
LDL 5.4 mmol/L ( Triglycerides are normal.

These tests were part of a checkup because I’ve started hormone replacement therapy due to low estradiol levels (secondary amenorrhea).

I’ve done a little Googling, but I can't quite "connect the dots" into one cohesive diagnosis. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their expertise.

Hello,

I don't think you need to look for a direct link between your fibrinogen and cholesterol levels.

In my view, a fibrinogen level up to 5 g/L isn't worth much concern in an otherwise healthy adult. It’s entirely possible this is just your baseline, and it isn't actually "elevated" for you personally. If anything, I’d just retest it in a while to track the trend.

When considering hormone replacement therapy, fibrinogen is a factor to keep in mind when assessing overall thromboembolism risk, but fibrinogen alone doesn't tell the whole story.

As for the MPV, a slightly lower value just means your platelets are a bit smaller than average. Given that your actual platelet count is normal, I don't think it means anything significant.

The cholesterol, however, is a different matter. You should definitely touch base with your primary care physician to calculate your total cardiovascular risk. Discuss a plan with them, then retest in three months to monitor the trend. Based on those follow-up numbers, they can decide if medical intervention is necessary.

mellowviper24 said:Thanks so much for the reply.
Regarding glucose—I wasn't fasting, so I'll definitely be repeating that test.

Make sure you redo the glucose test while fasting.

As for the urine, I did a culture after this result came back, but it was sterile. My doctor thinks the urinalysis isn't a concern, but those red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine have me worried. Should I go ahead and repeat the urinalysis?
If the results stay the same, what’s my next move? Should I get an abdominal or kidney ultrasound?
Does the low MCV and iron being at the bottom end of the range have anything to do with the urine findings?

Thanks in advance for your help. 🙂

The relatively high number of squamous epithelial cells suggests the sample might not have been clean. It likely wasn't a midstream catch, or perhaps the sample was contaminated by vaginal secretions or skin contact. This would explain why you aren't showing signs of a UTI and why the culture came back sterile.

Personally, I prefer to re-test anything that sits on the borderline, so I'd do the same in your situation. Just be careful with hygiene when collecting the sample—aim for that first morning midstream catch.

I don't think the MCV and iron levels are linked to the urine results.

Maria Fisher46 said:You should definitely redo the glucose test on an empty stomach.

The presence of a relatively high number of squamous epithelial cells suggests the sample might not have been ideal—perhaps it wasn't a midstream catch, or there was some contamination from skin or vaginal secretions. This theory is bolstered by the fact that you aren't showing any signs of a UTI and your urine culture came back sterile.

Personally, I always prefer to re-test borderline results, so I would recommend doing the same here. To ensure accuracy, one should be mindful of proper collection techniques, specifically aiming for that first morning midstream sample after cleaning the area.

I don't believe your MCV or Iron levels have anything to do with these urine findings.

Thanks so much for the response. I’ll go ahead and repeat the urinalysis and we’ll see where things stand.
For context, this first sample was taken in the middle of the day, so this time I'll follow the same protocol as the urine culture—using the first morning midstream catch.

Thanks again!

Hey there!

For the last few months, I’ve been dealing with constant fatigue, headaches, poor sleep, and an absolutely insane appetite. I seriously can't control the hunger. Even when I overeat, I still feel hungry and just keep going until I physically can't shove anything else down my throat. After that, the thirst kicks in and everything else follows...
I went to see my doctor, and the blood work showed elevated potassium and sodium. Based on that, I saw an endocrinologist who ordered some hormone testing...

🙂

The results finally came back. I haven't had my follow-up appointment with the endocrinologist yet, but after reviewing the labs, they recommended hospitalization for a "water deprivation test." I'm heading in this Tuesday. Can anyone explain what that test actually entails so I know what to expect?

1.
If anyone out there has the patience, the will, and the brainpower to help me out, could you try to make sense of these results? Are these values within the normal range or what?

GLC=3.8 mmol/L
KOL=3.5 mmol/L
TGC=0.45 mmol/L
HDL-C=1.57 mmol/L
LDL-C=1.75 mmol/L
K=4.0 mmol/L
Na=141 mmol/L
Ca=2.32 mmol/L
P=1.08 mmol/L
Mg=0.85 mmol/L
K-dU=144/dU
Na-dU=495 mmol/L
Osmol-seru=278 mOsmol/kg
Osmol-u=227 mOsmol/kg

ACTH=4.9 pmol/L
ALDO=101 pmol/L
RENIN=0.4 ug/L/h
aldosterone/renin=11.2
Synacthen test: CORT 0-30-60 min = 329/541/481 nmol/L
T4=76.6 nmol/L
TSH=1.27 mlJ7l - euthyroid

2.
Hyperkalemia was noted in the urine, and hypernatremia is particularly pronounced. Glycemia is also slightly low. - ???

3.
During the urine collection, polyuria was observed with a daily volume of 9 L/day (it isn't like that every single day—that happened after a "rough weekend" where I drank massive amounts of fluids).

🤷

Thanks for any quick replies.

😕 🙂