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

ANA positive at a titer of 1:40960

From what I can tell, this is extremely high. Does anyone know what this might indicate? I've been scheduled for more tests at the hospital in ten days, specifically to see an immunologist.

Blood work results, 15 weeks pregnant.

Erythrocyte 3.84 (3.86-5.08)
Hematocrit 0.345 (0.356-0.470)
RDW 16.7 (9.0-15.0)
Platelets 156 (158-424)
Glucose 3.3 (4.40-6.40)

Everything else looks fine, Hb is 119.

The doctor is telling me I have anemia and that I need to take folic acid, but honestly? I don't buy it because my Hb seems okay. I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins with 800mcg of folic acid since the very beginning—that’s basically the standard daily dose for pregnancy! I even pointed this out to the doctor, and he just gave me this "whatever, fine" attitude, insisting the labs aren't normal. Like, excuse me?!
I’m eating normally, constantly, a little bit of everything, yet my weight hasn't gone up in a month. Before that, I was actually losing weight.
I'd really love to get a second opinion from someone else.

stormyviper20 said:ANA positive at a titer of 1:40960

From what I can gather, this is incredibly high. What could be going on? I've been scheduled for more tests at the hospital in 10 days—specifically for immunology.

What prompted you to get the ANA tested in the first place? Any symptoms?

That is quite high.

My Raynaud's symptoms are pretty intense right now. I’ve been diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome, which didn't seem too severe based on my previous tests, but it feels like things are starting to flare up. About a year ago, my SS-A and SS-B were borderline, and my ANA was fine, though my salivary glands were enlarged and full of cysts. My hands have been hurting terribly lately. I was taking 4mg of Medrol, but they've bumped me up to 20mg until I can get some more testing done.

stormyviper20 said:My Raynaud's is hitting pretty hard right now. I’ve been diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome, which wasn't super obvious in my initial tests, but things seem to be ramping up. About a year ago, my SS-A and SS-B levels were borderline, and my ANA was fine, but my salivary glands were enlarged and full of cysts. My hands hurt like hell. I was on 4mg of Medrol, but they bumped me up to 20mg while I wait for more testing.

Uh, you've got the exact same combo as me 😢. I'm going to message you over on this thread instead: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - Vol. 2. A lot of us dealing with SLE struggle with these specific issues too, so if you need anything, just ask. 🙂

I’m hoping I can ask my question here without cluttering things up by starting a whole new thread...

Can a brain CT scan (computed tomography, with the referral diagnosis being TIA) actually show signs of Alzheimer's disease? Specifically, I'm wondering about damage to the basal ganglia in the brainstem, which I’ve read online is something this disease causes...

The thing is, my father is scheduled for this scan in a few days, and since I won't be there, I won't have the chance to press the doctors for details myself...
And from what I've gathered, during that initial stage of patient assessment, doctors often miss it because everything still looks relatively normal on the surface...

Our family actually insisted on this scan because a month ago, we found him early one morning just tossing things around in a frenzy; once we finally got him to sit down, he knew all his details and ours perfectly well... but it was as if he were in a trance. He is a diabetic, and when we checked him immediately, his blood sugar was at 26. The ER staff told us everything was fine—that he just needed to stay until his levels stabilized using fast-acting insulin—and they maintained the cause was simply the sugar. We believe them, honestly, because he hadn't followed his regimen for two days prior and had recently been refusing his insulin; he's still on pills, though the doctors are pushing for insulin since he's such a high-risk patient with heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, and blood clotting concerns. That morning, until he finally got home and slept it off, he had no memory of the episode, and the explanation provided was hyperglycemia. I've heard that this is quite common for certain high-risk diabetics... so that was the verdict. We're sticking strictly to the rules now and monitoring everything regularly...
I'm terrified, though, because I've heard stories about how this could be a precursor to a stroke. We're acutely aware of that risk, especially if he doesn't stick to his regimen, which is a real possibility given his medical history.
My dad is 62. Personally, I want to dig into the Alzheimer's possibility because he does forget small things here and there. It’s nothing major like the symptoms I’ve read about, thank God, but that night with the hyperglycemia has me deeply unsettled. Could there be a connection? Is it possible this is linked to something deeper, or is it truly just the blood sugar acting up, as the doctors claim?

stormyviper20 said:ANA positive at a titer of 1 : 40960

From what I gather, this is extremely high. What could this mean? I've been ordered to go to the hospital in 10 days for further testing, specifically immunology.

Dear lady,

Finding ANA antibodies at such a significant titer warrants serious suspicion of an underlying autoimmune condition. However, this single result alone doesn't pinpoint a specific diagnosis.

As you mentioned, you have already been diagnosed with one such condition, Sjögren. It’s not uncommon for patients with Sjögren to present with high ANA titers.

That said, since Sjögren can overlap with other autoimmune disorders—such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or mixed connective tissue disease, among others—additional testing is necessary. They will likely look for specific markers like anti-dsDNA, Sm, U1-RNP, SS-A, SS-B, and Scl-70. These tests, combined with your clinical symptoms, should help clarify the exact diagnosis.

Best regards. 🙂

Nancy Rivera57 said:Blood work, 15 weeks pregnant.

Erythrocytes 3.84 (3.86-5.08)
Hematocrit 0.345 (0.356-0.470)
RDW 16.7 (9.0-15.0)
Platelets 156 (158-424)
Glucose 3.3 (4.40-6.40)

Everything else is fine, Hb 119.

The doctor claims I have anemia and needs me to take folic acid, but I don't think that's the case since my Hb is okay. I've been taking vitamins with 800mcg of folic acid since the start of my pregnancy—that's the standard daily dose for Americans. I told the doctor this, and he basically just said "fine then," even though the results aren't technically normal.
I eat normally, frequently, and all sorts of things, but I haven't gained any weight for a month now; before that, I was actually losing it.
I’d like to get a second opinion.

Hello,

Looking over these lab results, here is my assessment:

1. Erythrocytes — It's quite common for erythrocyte counts to drop during pregnancy; by the third trimester, values can dip as low as 3.8 x 10^12/L. Based on that, your current count could still be considered within a functional range, but you are hitting the lower limit, which warrants attention.

2. Hematocrit — Hematocrit levels also tend to decrease during pregnancy. The lowest values generally considered normal (physiological) hover around 0.31. Therefore, this parameter could also be viewed as acceptable for now.

3. Hemoglobin — This also drops during pregnancy (usually around week 32 or 34), and the physiological floor is typically around 110 g/L. In my view, your hemoglobin value also seems acceptable at this stage.

Based on points 1, 2, and 3, we arrive at the same conclusion you reached: there isn't enough evidence for anemia right now. I'll repeat: *right now*.

Since a decline in these parameters is expected leading up to weeks 32/34, actual anemia could certainly develop later.

It would be wise to check your serum iron and Ferritin to evaluate your body's iron stores. Generally, an iron level below 12 µmol/l is an indicator of deficiency during pregnancy.

Anemia caused specifically by folic acid deficiency is usually characterized by an increased MCV. I assume that was tested—was the result normal?

I'm not entirely sure what clinical reasoning your doctor used to reach that conclusion.

Furthermore:

4. Platelets — Platelet counts often dip slightly during pregnancy, but nothing significant. Yours is still satisfactory, though it should be monitored.

5. Blood glucose is quite low; that is something you should pay attention to.

In summary: looking at these numbers, I don't see clear indicators of anemia yet, but your erythrocyte count is indeed sitting on the edge. You should determine your iron and Ferritin levels (if you haven't already). Additionally, you'll need to monitor your blood sugar and keep an eye on your platelets.

Regarding these results, as well as your other concerns (like the fact that you haven't gained weight in a month!), please make sure to consult with your medical team. If you aren't comfortable with your current OBGYN, seek out a second opinion.

Best regards. 🙂

Taylor Hernandez37 said:I hope I can ask here without starting a whole new thread...

Can a brain CT scan (computed tomography, referral diagnosis: TIA) show signs of Alzheimer's disease?

Hello,

Regarding Alzheimer's dementia diagnoses and CT scans, generally speaking, a CT or MRI should be performed during the initial dementia assessment or whenever there's any shift in mental status. These methods (CT and MRI) serve a supportive role; they are just one link in the chain leading to a definitive diagnosis.

In cases where dementia is present, a CT might reveal brain atrophy (shrinkage). However, structural changes in the brain might not be visible until the disease reaches a more advanced stage. On the flip side, people without dementia can develop brain atrophy simply due to aging, so there is often significant overlap between these groups.

That’s why the clinical exam, specific testing, and gathering accurate data from the patient and their caregivers are vital for a diagnosis.

We insisted on this exam as a family because a few months ago, we found him early in the morning tossing things around. When we sat him down, he knew everything about himself and us... but it was as if he were hallucinating. He's a diabetic, and we checked his sugar immediately—it was at 26.

My father is 62. I personally want to ask about Alzheimer's because he forgets small things here and there. Nothing major, nothing like what I've read regarding symptoms, thank God, but it worries me because of that night with the hyperglycemia. Could there be a connection? Or is it just the blood sugar issue, as the doctors suggest?

Regarding the cause of your father's behavioral shifts, consciousness issues, and mental status changes, he needs a full neurological workup to determine exactly what is happening.

It is possible that glucose fluctuations caused those disruptions, but there could be other underlying reasons—especially since diabetes can affect blood vessels, including those in the brain.

Best regards. 🙂

Taylor Hernandez37 said:Can a brain CT scan (computed tomography, with a referral diagnosis of TIA) actually show signs of Alzheimer's disease? I mean, I'm wondering about damage to the basal ganglia located in the brainstem, which—according to some things I've read online—is caused by this disease...

That specific area definitely won't be visible.
Unfortunately, neither a CT nor an MRI can pinpoint changes specifically diagnostic of Alzheimer's at this stage. There are certain alterations that might be detectable through MR spectroscopy, but even those aren't strictly unique to Alzheimer's—and they usually only become apparent once the disease has progressed significantly.

The only thing that might suggest Alzheimer's is atrophy in the temporal lobes and the hippocampal region, along with the widening of the temporal horns (whereas "standard" age-related atrophy tends to affect the entire brain more uniformly).

Maria Fisher46 said:Basically, here’s my take: looking at your labs, I don't see anything pointing toward anemia just yet, but your Erythrocyte count is definitely scraping the bottom of the barrel. You really ought to get your Iron and Ferritin checked out (if you haven't already). Also, keep an eye on your blood sugar and stay on top of those platelet counts.

Regarding these results—and all those other symptoms and worries you mentioned (you did say the weight hasn't gone up for a month now!)—you absolutely have to talk to your doctors. Seriously. If you aren't feeling heard by your current OBGYN, go find someone else who actually listens. Get a second opinion. Don't just sit there!

Best, 🙂

Thank you so much 🙂
I just saw a primary care doctor because it was easier and faster, but now I'm heading to the OBGYN to get my Iron and Ferritin tested too.

Leukocytes 12.2 (3.4 - 9.7)
LIM % 48.5 (20 - 46)
MON % 9.3 (2 - 19)
GRA % 42.2 (44 - 72)

Enzymes
AST (GOT) 21 (8 - 30)
ALT (GPT) 39 (10 - 26)
ALP 98 (54 - 119)

Proteins
CRP 1.3 (
Thanks in advance!
🙂

Zoe, post those reference values. 🙂 It’ll be way easier for people to help you out if you show what’s actually off, especially since every lab uses different scales.

The result came back at 148, while the normal range is listed as 60-142. This is for a 28-year-old male.
Everything else on the blood work looks totally fine.
About 5 or 6 years ago, we saw this exact same thing. We did two separate blood tests over a few months, and after that, everything stayed within the normal limits for quite a long time.
He doesn't drink alcohol, he's a non-smoker, and he's never touched drugs in his life.
I've heard that a small percentage of perfectly healthy people just have elevated ALP levels, though nobody really knows why.
Doctors, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Casey Rogers47 said:The result came back at 148, while the normal range is 60-142. This is for a 28-year-old male.
Everything else on the blood work looks totally fine.
About 5 or 6 years ago, things were similar—two tests within a few months—and then for a long stretch, everything stayed perfectly within the normal limits.
He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, and he's never touched drugs in his life.
Apparently, a small percentage of healthy people just have elevated ALP levels, but nobody seems to know why.
Doctors, please, I need your input.

If the unit is U/L, that result is perfectly fine. People tend to overreact when numbers are slightly higher than the standard.

Timothy Wells5 said:LEUKOCYTES 12.2 (3.4 - 9.7)
LIM % 48.5 (20 - 46)
MON % 9.3 (2 - 19)
GRA % 42.2 (44 - 72)

ENZYMES
AST (GOT) 21 (8 - 30)
ALT (GPT) 39 (10 - 26)
ALP 98 (54 - 119)

PROTEINS
CRP 1.3 (
Thanks in advance!
🙂

I really need to weigh in on some of these posts. Honestly, we probably need some quick guidelines posted somewhere on how to actually ask a question in the "Lab Results - Opinions" thread. Look, what you just dumped here means absolutely nothing. It’s just a bunch of random numbers thrown at a wall. You can't comment on results like this—it makes zero difference if you're pregnant, a seven-year-old kid, or a 70-year-old retiree. And the biggest thing you left out: why did you even get blood drawn and what symptoms are you actually dealing with? Anyone who knows how to read a chart can tell you if a number is high or low by looking at the reference range, but actual interpretation is a whole different ballgame. That requires a basic medical history and a clinical exam. Since we aren't performing physical exams on a forum, the least you can do is provide some basic context. I hope the mods don't get salty about me pointing this out.

My take on the results: Your absolute leukocyte count is slightly elevated. Why? Who knows. I don't have enough data. Causes could be anything from inflammation or medication to running too much, or even leukemia.

wiredcanyon2 said:Look, I just hope the mods don't get salty about this comment.

They won't. 😁 Honestly, any constructive criticism or advice is more than welcome here. 😉>

It’s not that they won't get upset—quite the opposite—they are actually thrilled to see a comment like this. Of course, it's all in the hope that the folks on the forum might provide some actual context rather than just dumping raw numbers. 🙂

wiredcanyon2 said:I need to weigh in on a few posts, and honestly, we probably need some quick guidelines on how to ask questions in the "lab results - opinions" thread. Right now, what you guys are posting means absolutely nothing—it's just a bunch of random numbers thrown together! You can't comment on a result like this: context matters. Are you pregnant? A seven-year-old? Someone in their 30s or 70s? And the most vital part is missing: "why did you even get blood work done and what symptoms are you dealing with?" Anyone who can read can tell you if a number is high or low by looking at the reference range, but interpreting those results is a completely different beast. It requires at least a brief medical history and a clinical exam. Since we aren't performing physical exams on this forum, at least provide some basic info. I hope the mods don't take this the wrong way.

Interpreting the results: Your absolute leukocyte count is slightly elevated. Why? I have no clue because I don't have enough data. Causes could range from inflammation or medication to running all the way to leukemia.

🤣

No offense intended, but these numbers mean nothing to anyone without medical training.
I posted them here hoping there might be a "real" doctor around.
And you don't actually need a full medical history just to look over a CBC.
A doctor friend of mine looked at mine yesterday without me telling him a single thing about what was bothering me.
😁