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

Hi everyone,

Should I be worried about my checkup results? A doctor at the Sun clinic suggested I see a hematologist, though my primary physician wants to run the blood work one more time just to be sure. My internist mentioned that white blood cell counts are often higher in smokers—I've actually never heard that before, and I'm 43—but mine have been elevated for years now.

Here are my labs (just listing the high ones):
Leukocytes 10.9 (3.4-9.7)
Lymphocytes 3.7 (1.19-3.35)
Hemoglobin 162 (119-157)
Hematocrit 0.473 (0.356-0.47)
MCV 99.7 (83-97.2)
MCH 34.2 (27.4 -33.9)

A blood test was ordered for my eighteen-month-old, and the results show they can't perform the procedure because of issues with blood clotting. What does this actually mean?

The lab didn't include enough anticoagulant in the blood sample, causing it to clot—which is only natural given the circumstances.
Consequently, they were unable to proceed with the analysis.

A new sample needs to be drawn.

Can someone help me make sense of these results?

CELL TYPE
SEGMENTED NEUTROPHILS 58 (44-72)
LYMPHOCYTES 30 (44-74)
MONOCYTES 11 (2-12)
EOSINOPHILS 1 (0-7)

Leukogram comment at the end: no significant changes in the count or morphology of all blood cells.
On paper, everything looks fine. But this wasn't just a routine check—it was ordered because we're looking into potential immune or rheumatological issues. Dealing with a bunch of symptoms here...
Is there anything telling in these numbers regarding that specific field? Thanks.

Kyle Nelson2 said:I’d pose a general question: what does it mean when anti TPO is within normal limits (0-34), but anti TG is elevated (significantly above 115)?

Elevated anti-thyroglobulin levels can be linked to various conditions, ranging from autoimmune thyroid diseases and thyroid tumors to other autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic urticaria, Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, or autoimmune hemolytic anemia. They also show up in a small number of healthy individuals, though the values aren't typically that high there. You might also see them in pregnant women or people with a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Anti-thyroglobulin isn't a specific marker. A high reading alone isn't enough to confirm any of those diagnoses; it has to be looked at alongside other parameters. Some even argue that an elevated anti-thyroglobulin level without anti TPO shouldn't be used as sufficient grounds for an autoimmune thyroid diagnosis if suspicion exists.

More info here: http://emedicine.medscape.com/articl...erview#showall

slyfox9 said:Does anyone know what these values mean?

HLA-A 02/--
HLA-B 18/44
HLA-C NT/NT
HLA-DRB1 04/11
HLA-DQB1 NT/NT

Thanks in advance.

Best regards.

The core concept behind this testing is that certain HLA antigens appear more frequently in people with specific diseases than in the healthy population.

Essentially, the presence of certain antigens is tied to a slightly higher risk of developing a particular condition. This doesn't mean that having the antigen guarantees you'll get sick. Similarly, someone can develop the disease without having that specific antigen.

Regarding your specific results, I see you have HLA-DRB1*04, which can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

However, it isn't quite as straightforward as it looks. Within HLA-DR4, there are actually over 30 subtypes (labeled HLA-DRB1*0401 through *0433), and only some of them are linked to rheumatoid arthritis—most notably DRB1*0401 and DRB1*0404.

It is thought that people carrying these specific subtypes face roughly four times the risk compared to the rest of the population. For instance, about 60% of rheumatoid arthritis patients (in America) carry one of these HLA-DR4 subtypes, and if you factor in all the subtypes, that percentage can climb as high as 80%.

That said, your report doesn't provide that level of granular detail because the typing wasn't performed that way.

For more on the link between HLA and specific diseases, check this out: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...7156/table/T1/

Chris Kim63 said:Can someone help me make sense of these lab results?

Station type.
Segmented 58 (44-72).
Lymphocytes: 30 (Ref range: 44-74)
Monocytes: 11 (Reference range: 2-12)
Eosinophil Group 1 (0-7)

The white blood cell count looks normal. No significant changes in cell numbers or morphology. Everything seems stable.
The results look fine on paper. However, this testing was ordered specifically to rule out potential autoimmune or rheumatic issues, given the sheer number of symptoms currently being dealt with.
Can you make sense of what this field is showing? Thanks.

Clean results!

That kind of result doesn't rule out an underlying immunological or rheumatological issue. So, to answer your second question: no.

It’s like trying to build a house on quicksand. You think you have a solid foundation, then everything just shifts under your feet. [User Name] says:
Could someone weigh in on these hormone results? I had them done on day 21 of my cycle. I'm 28, dealing with PCOS, and looking to get pregnant.

For an accurate reading of sex hormones—excluding progesterone—it’s better to test on day three of your cycle rather than day twenty-one.

Kimberly Wright78 said:Anyone here capable of interpreting an OGTT result?
Fasting glucose at 6.8.
Two hours later, we're at 7.0.
I'm wondering what kind of disorder this could actually be, and which specific tests I should look into next?
Thanks!

The results point toward impaired fasting glucose. Essentially, we're looking at prediabetes, which signals an elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes down the road. You’ll need to follow up with an HbA1c test, a full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides), routine biochemistry, and a urinalysis to check for protein levels. It is also necessary to schedule a physical with your doctor—specifically to monitor blood pressure, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio—while considering any family history of diabetes.

Once all the data is in, we’ll map out the best strategy for treatment and long-term monitoring. Typically, this involves shedding some weight, ramping up physical activity, and tweaking the diet—with medication added to the mix if necessary (for things like hypertension, high cholesterol, or potentially oral hypoglycemics).

Laura Hernandez25 said:Just got my results back from Fran Mihaljevica.
I'm struggling to make sense of this... am I looking at a past infection or is it still active?
I work in immunology research, so here’s what I’ve got.

EBV VCA IgG is positive at 598. Anything over 40 is considered positive; under 20 is negative.

EBNA IgG came back positive—over 600. For context, anything above 20 is considered positive, while anything under 5 is negative.

Everything else came back negative? (EBV IgM, EBV Ea IgG, CMV IgG, and CMV IgM?)

The infection has cleared.

Karen Watson13 said:My son is 12. He’s been running a low-grade fever—somewhere between 99°F and 99.5°F—for ten days now. He also has constant post-nasal drip. We had some bloodwork done; here are the results:
White blood cell count: 11.1 (Normal range: 4.4 - 11.6).
Red blood cell count at 5.3 (Reference range: 4.34 - 5.47).
Hemoglobin at 155. Reference range sits between 121 and 145. It’s high.
Hematocrit 0.44 (Range: 0.366 - 0.452)
MCV 83 (76.5 - 92.1)
MCHC 345 (304 - 346)
RDW 11.4 (11.5 - 14.3). Just a hair under the threshold.
Platelet count at 372 (Ref: 178 - 420).
Neutrophils at 32.1% (Reference range: 30–72%). Barely clearing the threshold.
Lymphocytes at 40.7 (Reference range: 19.0 - 52.0).
Monocytes at 8.1 (Normal range: 3 - 12).
Eosinophils at 18.4 (normal range up to 7).
Basophils at 0.7 (upper limit 1.0).
CRP at 0.4. Reference range is 0.1 to 2.8. Low end of the spectrum, but within bounds.
Starting Klavocin this Monday. My doctor is calling it a viral infection, though she only gave my labs a cursory glance—I was the last patient of the day, and she was already mentally checking out for the afternoon.
Is that hemoglobin level actually cause for concern, or just noise?

Once you've recovered and finished treatment, it’s wise to run the KKS again.

northernraven3 said:Hey everyone,

Should I be worried about my recent checkup? My doctor at the clinic suggested I see a hematologist, though my primary physician wants to run another round of blood work first just to be sure. To make matters more confusing, my internist claims that smokers always have elevated white blood cell counts—something I’ve never heard before, especially since I'm 43—yet my levels have been high for years now.

Here’s my blood work: (I'll only list the elevated levels)
White blood cell count: 10.9 (normal range 3.4–9.7).
Lymphocytes at 3.7 (Reference range: 1.19–3.35).
Hemoglobin at 162. The standard range tops out around 157. It’s high.
Hematocrit 0.473 (Ref range: 0.356–0.47). Just a hair over the line.
MCV 99.7 (Ref range: 83–97.2). Slightly elevated.
MCH 34.2 (Ref: 27.4 - 33.9)

Smoking does bump up white blood cell counts—that’s a fact. In a smoker's CBC, you'll typically see elevated neutrophils. It might be worth ordering a peripheral blood smear at the start of the workup just to be thorough.

Maria Fisher46 said:Clean results!

Does a result like that rule out autoimmune or rheumatological issues? Not necessarily. So, the answer to your second question is no.

For accurate hormone levels—excluding progesterone—it’s better to test on day three of your cycle rather than day twenty-one.

The labs suggest impaired fasting glucose tolerance. This is often labeled prediabetes, which means there's an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes down the road. You should get an HbA1c, a full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides), routine biochemistry, a urinalysis (checking for protein), and see a doctor. They'll need to check your blood pressure, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and look into any family history of diabetes.

Only then can you build a solid strategy for treatment and monitoring. Usually, that involves weight management, staying active, and dietary changes—maybe adding medication if hypertension, dyslipidemia, or oral hypoglycemics become necessary.

Thanks!

I’m really hoping someone might be able to help me make sense of these results... like, actually interpret what they mean.
And if the news isn't great, I honestly have no idea who I should even reach out to because I haven't been given any guidance at all. This was done through a day hospital setting, but apparently, my follow-up to go over this along with my other tests won't happen until the end of the year—they actually told me appointments aren't available until 2017!
RADIOLOGY REPORT
Native MSCT chest scan for polyarthralgia and suspected lymphadenopathy?
In the scanned area of the lower neck, there aren't any significantly enlarged lymph nodes in either armpit. In the middle mediastinum, specifically near the lower right paratracheal group, there are a few tiny lymph nodes measuring about 8 mm.
There is one lymph node located precarinallly and in front of the right main bronchus, with axial dimensions of 14x8mm. In the anterior mediastinum, within the thymus bed, there's a triangular zone showing a fine nodular pattern, which might just be residual thymus tissue. Both lung fields look normally aerated, with no visible inflammatory infiltrates or pleural effusion.
I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong spot, but I'd really appreciate any help because I'm feeling pretty anxious about this. Thank you so much in advance.

Hi there,
here are my lab results:
erythrocytes 4.52 (3.86-5.08)
hemoglobin 148 (119-157)
hematocrit 0.443 (0.356-0.470)
MCV 98.1 (83-97.2)
MCH 32.8 (27.4-33.9)
MCHC 334 (320-360)
WBC 7.3 (3.4-10.00)
platelets 385 (158-424)
iron 35 (8-30)
UIBC 26 (26-59)
TIBC 61.7 (49-75)
ferritin 38 (4-200) ng/ml
CRP 1.2 (up to 5)
AST 18 (8-30)
ALT 16 (10-36)
GGT 27 (9-35)
Just to give some context, I actually had my spleen removed about 12 years ago due to thrombocytopenia.
Do you think this iron level indicates something specific, or could it just be related to the fact that I'm living without a spleen? Thanks so much!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could offer some insight—is a prothrombin time ratio of 0.89 something I should be worried about?
My INR came back at 1.08. Thanks so much!

EBV VCA IgG POSITIVE 112.0 U/ml (negative is less than 15)
EBNA IgG POSITIVE 203.0 U/ml (negative is less than 5)
CMV IgG POSITIVE 86.3 U/ml (negative is less than 12)
HSV 1 IgG POSITIVE
VZV IgG POSITIVE 30 VE (negative is less than 9)
HHV 6 IgG POSITIVE 39 (negative is less than 9)

Can someone help me make sense of these results?
Everything else came back negative...
Thanks!

😕alanine aminotransferase 9 L U/l
ferritin 16 L mcg/l
gamma globulins 21.73 H
urinalysis results:
protein trace
blood positive
erythrocytes high
squamous epithelial cells high
mucus high
bacteria high
Everything else seems to be within the normal range. If anyone out there could offer a more expert opinion than my own—and maybe tell me if these numbers are actually cause for alarm—I would be incredibly grateful. Best regards!

Hello everyone. I recently had some blood work done because I've been dealing with occasional pains in my lower right side. It usually flares up after heavy physical exertion—some days we’re pulling 11-hour shifts doing intense manual labor.
Everything looks normal, with a few exceptions:
erythrocyte 5.85 (upper limit 5.72)
MCV 81.7 (lower limit 83)
I compared these results to my blood work from three years ago; back then, my erythrocyte was 5.68 and my MCV was exactly 83.
If anyone here understands these numbers, could you please help me make sense of what this might indicate?

So, I just had a colonoscopy done. Here’s the report:

The colonoscopy reached the terminal ileum, which looks totally normal, so they took a biopsy there. They also found a hyperemic zone about 8 inches from the ileocecal valve, so that got biopsied too.

I-4 biopsies from the terminal ileum.
Rectosigmoid biopsies. Done.

My doctor mentioned some kind of inflammation based on my previous stool tests. Now I'm looking at this new result and I'm lost. Someone please explain what this actually means!

Anyway, Happy Easter everyone!

mellowmoose11 said:I would really appreciate it if someone could help me read this report—basically, interpret it.
Also, if the results aren't good, who should I contact? I haven't received any instructions. This was done at a community health center, but follow-ups regarding these findings won't happen until the end of the year; they even told me appointments wouldn't be available until 2017.
RADIOLOGY REPORT
Native MSCT thorax scan for polyarthralgia and lymphadenopathy?
In the scanned portion of the neck base, there are no significantly enlarged lymph nodes in either axilla. In the middle mediastinum, specifically in the area of the right lower paratracheal group, there are several small lymph nodes measuring about 8 mm.
One lymph node is located precarinallly and in front of the right main bronchus, measuring 14x8mm. In the anterior mediastinum, within the thymus bed, a triangular zone of fine nodular pattern is noted, which may correspond to thymic remnants. Both lung parenchyma appear normally aerated without visible inflammatory infiltrates or pleural effusion.
Forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong place, but I’m quite worried and would truly appreciate some help. Thank you in advance.

Since none of the radiologists (Gertrude) have responded, here is my take. It looks like mediastinal lymphadenopathy (one lymph node is over 1 cm or 10 mm, which meets the criteria). There is a wide range of diagnoses, both benign and malignant, that could be considered. However, given that it's just one node and its largest dimension is under 20 mm, the highest probability among all possibilities is that this is a reactive lymph node—essentially, a benign and harmless enlargement.

You need to reach out to whoever referred you for the scan.

Ashley Thomas5 said:Hello,
here are the results:
erythrocyte 4.52 (3.86-5.08)
hemoglobin 148 (119-157)
hematocrit 0.443 (0.356-0.470)
mcv 98.1 (83-97.2)
mch 32.8 (27.4-33.9)
mchc 334 (320-360)
Leuk 7.3 (3.4-10.00)
platelets 385 (158-424)
iron 35 (8-30)
uibc 26 (26-59)
tibc 61.7 (49-75)
ferritin 38 (4-200) ng/ml
crp 1.2 (up to 5)
ast 18 (8-30)
alt 16 (10-36)
ggt 27 (9-35)
By the way, I had my spleen removed 12 years ago due to thrombocytopenia.
Does this iron result indicate anything specific, or could it be related to not having a spleen causing the slight elevation? Thanks.

Ferritin is normal. Transferrin saturation—that is, the Fe/TIBC ratio—is around 50%, which still falls within the normal range. So, I'd say these results aren't cause for concern. It isn't because of the asplenia. Likely just daily fluctuations in iron concentration, diet, or something similar.

Olivia Gomez67 said:Hey, looking for some insight here. Is a prothrombin time ratio of 0.89 concerning?
prothrombin time (INR) is 1.08. Thanks.

Not at all. For anyone not on anticoagulants, that’s a perfectly normal result. If you *are* taking blood thinners, though, then we have a problem—it means the dose is too low and needs an adjustment.

Maria Fisher46 said:No, if you aren't on anticoagulants, those results look perfectly fine. But if you *are* taking them? Then we have a problem. It means your dose likely needs an adjustment—specifically, an increase.

Thanks for the clarification. And just to be clear, I'm not on any blood thinners, even though I am dealing with heart issues.

Chris Kim63 said:EBV VCA IgG: POSITIVE 112.0 U/ml (Negative is anything under 15).
EBNA IgG came back positive at 203.0 U/ml. For context, anything under 5 is considered negative.
CMV IgG came back positive at 86.3 U/ml. For context, anything under 12 is considered negative.
HSV 1 IgG: Positive.
VZV IgG came back positive at 30 VE (anything under 9 is considered negative).
HHV-6 IgG came back positive at 39. Anything under 9 is considered negative.

Could someone please help me make sense of these results?
Everything else on the lab report came back negative.
Thanks!

Look at it this way: you’ve already been exposed to all those triggers. You've built up immunity because you've actually fought them off before. We're talking about the usual suspects—EBV, which is the primary culprit behind mono; CMV, the second most common cause of the same thing; plus herpes simplex, chickenpox, and roseola. None of these viruses are linked to what you're feeling right now. That much is certain.

Richard Lopez5 said:😕Alanine aminotransferase 9 L U/L
Ferritin at 16 mcg/L. Low.
Gamma globulins at 21.73 H.
In my urine:
Opal protein powders.
Bloodwork came back positive.
High erythrocyte count. Too many.
The density of the squamous epithelial cells is quite high.
Much appreciated.
Bacteria levels are through the roof.
Everything else seems to be within the normal range. If anyone could offer a more expert perspective than my own and let me know if these values are cause for alarm, I’d truly appreciate it. Best regards.

Low ferritin means your iron stores are depleted. You’re either losing it somewhere—maybe internal bleeding?—or you aren't getting enough through your diet. As for that low ALT, it’s a non-issue; the results look fine. Regarding gamma globulins, are we talking percentages or g/L? I need to see the full electrophoresis report. Finally, the blood in your urine: Is it just menstruation? Could be a urinary tract issue, kidney stones, or even sand in the bladder. An infection seems less likely given that your Leuk levels are low.

Casey Doyle3 said:I had some blood work done. I’ve been dealing with intermittent pain in my lower right flank—usually hits after heavy physical labor. Some days we're pulling 11-hour shifts doing intense manual work.
So, everything looks fine, except for this:
Erythrocyte 5.85 (upper limit 5.72).
MCV 81.7. The lower limit is 83.
I compared this to my blood work from three years ago. Back then, my erythrocyte was 5.68 and my MCV was exactly 83.
Can someone who actually knows their way around this stuff explain what might be causing vomiting?

Nothing specific. Just write out the full report.

redcyclist7 said:So, I just had a colonoscopy, and here are the results:

The scope reached the terminal ileum, which looks normal, and they took a biopsy there. About 20 cm from the anal verge, there's a zone of hyperemia, which was also biopsied.

I- 4 biopsies of the terminal ileum
II- " biopsies of the rectosigmoid

My doctor mentioned some inflammation based on previous stool tests... but I don't really get what this report means. Can someone explain?

Anyway, Happy Easter, everyone!

It simply means there's hyperemia—increased blood flow to the lining, usually due to inflammation—detected about 20 cm from the anus. They took samples. Now you just wait for the pathology. There’s definitely some inflammation present, but the report doesn't specify the cause yet.

Angela Green2 said:Thanks for getting back to me. Just to clarify, I'm not on any anticoagulants, despite my heart condition..

Rest easy. The results look fine.

Maria Fisher46 said:So here's the deal: you've been exposed to all those triggers and built up immunity. You already had them. We're talking EBV—the main culprit for mono—CMV, herpes simplex, chickenpox, and roseola. None of those viruses are causing your current issues. That’s a fact.

Low ferritin means low iron stores. You're either losing iron somehow—bleeding?—or you aren't eating enough. Low ALT? It's nothing. A normal result. Gamma globulins—is that percent or g/L? Post the full electrophoresis results! Urine shows blood—period? Bleeding in the urinary tract? Kidney stones or sand? Infection is unlikely since the Leuk levels are fine...

Nothing specific. Post the complete results.

The only thing this shows is hyperemia. That's increased blood flow to the mucosa (likely from inflammation) about 20 cm from the anus. They took samples. Wait for the results. There's some kind of inflammation, but there's no way to know the cause yet.

Thanks for the reply.. hoping it's nothing bad :/