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

Here is my full lab report:
sedimentation rate 12 (2-13)
Leukocytes 5.4 (3.4 - 9.7)
erythrocytes 5.85 H (4.34-5.72)
Hemoglobin 172 (138-175)
Hematocrit 0.478 (0.415-0.530)
MCV 81.7 L (83 -97.2)
MCHC 360 H (320-345)
RDW 11.9 (9-15)
Platelets 205
Everything else regarding the white blood cell differential is within range. All my liver enzymes are normal, as are my potassium, sodium, and urea levels. Nothing else is out of bounds...
The only thing is, this MCHC value has been elevated on every single test I've had since I was a kid.
I am 25 years old, 188 cm, and weigh 103 kg.

Maria Fisher46 said:So here's the deal: since you've already been exposed to all those triggers and built up immunity—meaning you've already dealt with them—you're in the clear. We're talking EBV, the main culprit for mono; CMV, the second most common cause; plus herpes simplex, chickenpox, and roseola. None of those viruses are linked to what you're feeling right now. That's a certainty.

Thanks. Feeling a bit better now. 😁

Maria Fisher46 said:Since we haven't heard from any radiologists (Gertrude), I’ll offer my take. It looks like we're dealing with mediastinal lymphadenopathy—basically, that's when a lymph node hits over 1 cm or 10 mm, which is the standard threshold. There’s a whole list of potential diagnoses, some benign and some more serious, but... given that it's just one single node and the largest dimension is under 20 mm, there's a pretty good chance it's just a reactive lymph node. In plain English? That usually means it's a benign, harmless enlargement.

You really need to follow up with whoever ordered these tests in the first place.

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I should be getting my bone scan results later this week, so once those are in, I'll try to reach out to the immunologist who sent me for all these tests.

albumin 53.29%
alpha 1 globulins 4.26%
alpha 2 globulins 8.79%
beta globulins 11.94%
gamma globulins 21.73 H %
albumin 43.16 g/L
alpha 1 globulins 3.45 g/L
alpha 2 globulins 7.12 g/L
beta globulins 9.67 g/L
gamma globulins 17.60 H g/L
albumin/globulin ratio 1.14
urinalysis sediment: erythrocytes high per high power field
leukocytes 1-2 HPF
squamous epithelial cells high HPF
mucus high HPF
bacteria high HPF
urinalysis chemical screen: specific gravity 1.025 kg/L
pH 5
leukocytes, nitrites negative
protein trace
glucose, urobilinogen normal
ketones, bilirubin negative
blood positive
Aside from all this, my alanine aminotransferase and ferritin levels are both running low—well outside the standard range—though everything else on my CBC seems perfectly fine.
As for how I’m actually feeling... it's been quite a struggle. I've been dealing with abdominal pain, bloating, intestinal cramping, and my bowel movements are pretty irregular or just straight-up diarrhea. I can't seem to handle fatty or sugary foods at all; they just don't agree with me. On top of that, there are headaches, constant fatigue, and even some shortness of breath when I try to exert myself just a little bit more than usual...

Casey Doyle3 said:The full lab report looks like this:
sed rate 12 (2-13)
Leuk 5.4 (3.4 - 9.7)
erythrocyte 5.85 H (4.34-5.72)
Hemoglobin 172 (138-175)
Hematocrit 0.478 (0.415-0.530)
MCV 81.7 L (83 -97.2)
MCHC 360 H (320-345)
RDW 11.9 (9-15)
Platelets 205
Everything else—the white blood cell differential, liver enzymes, potassium, sodium, urea—all within normal range. Nothing else is out of line...
One thing though, my MCHC has been elevated on every single test since I was a kid.
I'm 25 years old, 6'2", and 227 lbs.

Does anyone have any insight on this?
I saw my doctor today, and she mentioned these results could point toward anemia.
Now I have to go back for an iron test, and she said I might need to use an occult blood stool test kit too.
From what I understand, anemia is defined by low hemoglobin, hematocrit, or erythrocyte counts, while MCV is just a marker for it. How can I be considered anemic if my erythrocyte count is actually high and my hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal?
I'm honestly lost.

I’m looking for some insight on my blood work—specifically, my MCHC and TIBC have come back low, though everything else seems perfectly fine (erythrocyte 5.00, hemoglobin 143 g/L, MCH 28.6, MCV 91.1, Fe 11.0, UIBC 37.0, etc.)?

The labs were ordered because I've been dealing with some gynecological issues—mainly lower abdominal pain, missed periods, and spotting between cycles. My Pap smear was normal and the ultrasound came back clear, but there was an *E. coli* presence in my cervical swab. That was handled with a round of antibiotics and everything is fine now, except for these specific blood values.

Could someone please help me make sense of these lab results? I'm a 21-year-old guy here.

erythrocyte 5.45
Hemoglobin 149
Hematocrit 0.448
MCV 82.2 ref 83-97.2
MCH 27.3 ref 27.4-33.9
MCHC 333
RDW 13.3
Platelets 219
MPV 12.4 ref 6.8 - 10.4
iron 9 ref 11-32
ferritin 52

So—basically—everything looks totally normal except for those few specific markers where I've noted the reference ranges. Honestly, how much should I actually worry about these little deviations?

Alright, here's the deal, male, 28

Testosterone 28 (8-29)
SHBG 48 (16-55)
FSH 1.68 (1.50-12.4)
LH 3 (1.7-8.6) ?!

Can I get some expert input on this... please? I guess my libido is pretty much non-existent right now and I've dropped maybe 10 pounds of muscle over the last 6 months...

Samuel Morales said:Alright, here's the situation: 28-year-old male.

Testosterone 28 (8-29)
SHBG 48 (16-55)
FSH 1.68 (1.50-12.4)
LH 3 (1.7-8.6) ?!

Can I get an expert opinion? My libido is shot and I've dropped about 20 pounds of muscle over the last 6 months...

Hey. Look, I'm no specialist—I'm actually younger than you—but I've dealt with enough of this to weigh in.
Your testosterone is fine. Seriously, people would kill for those numbers. You're lucky. Don't sweat the LH; low is better than high. High LH means your body is screaming at itself to produce more because it isn't getting what it needs.
The only red flag is the FSH. How much fat are you eating? Start hitting the eggs, cholesterol, red meat... you need it. Also, grab some Omega-3 supplements; they're practically dirt cheap at any CVS or Walgreens. I take four pills a day.
I dealt with critically low testosterone myself. I figured it out through reading and digging through forums, mostly using supplements like zinc, omega-3, flaxseed oil, and Vitamin D3.
Don't expect much from a doctor. Most of them around here don't know anything. They'll just tell you everything is "normal" to get you out the door. It’s the same thing that happened to me when my levels were at 300 back when I was 20.
I've learned my lesson. Try upping your healthy fats and taking Omega-3 for two weeks. That's my advice.

Samuel Morales said:Alright, here’s the situation: 28-year-old male...

Testosterone 28 (8-29)
SHBG 48 (16-55)
FSH 1.68 (1.50-12.4)
LH 3 (1.7-8.6) ?!

Could I get some expert insight on this? My libido is low, and I've lost about 20 pounds of muscle over the last 6 months...

Your testosterone levels look great, which suggests the issue might not be hormonal. Both FSH and LH fluctuate quite a bit throughout the day, so those specific numbers shouldn't cause much concern. An LH of 3 is perfectly fine, as is the FSH. Usually, when we see real hormone issues, it’s because LH and FSH are sky-high (like FSH hitting 30 or 40) while the testosterone response remains poor.😵

The fact that your testosterone is relatively high means there isn't a physiological need for higher LH or FSH. I'd suggest focusing on your training and nutrition; that should hopefully yield some results. Try cutting out refined oils and reducing bread and other carbs in favor of healthy fats.

Personally, I struggle quite a bit with my testosterone. My last reading was only 6 nmol/L, yet my doctor keeps insisting I'm within the normal range—and I'm only 24. It doesn't account for all the symptoms I'm dealing with...

James Booth9 said:Hey, look, I’m no expert or anything, and honestly, I’m younger than most of you guys and dealt with this exact mess myself, so I guess I know enough to weigh in.
Your testosterone is freaking great—seriously, some guys would kill for those numbers. You’re lucky. Don't sweat the LH thing; having it low isn't the issue. It’s actually worse when it’s high, because then your body is basically screaming at itself to produce more hormones since they aren't being made.
The real red flag here is the FSH. How much fat are you even eating? You need to load up on eggs, cholesterol, red meat... just go for it. Also, you gotta get on some Omega-3 supplements. You can grab them for cheap at any CVS or Walgreens; I personally pop four pills every single day.
I actually went through this myself—my testosterone was bottomed out—and I managed to fix things mostly by reading stuff online, digging through forums, and hitting the supplements hard (zinc, omega-3, flaxseed oil, Vitamin D3).
Don't expect much from your doctor, honestly. These guys in our local clinics don't know squat. Whatever they tell you will probably be some generic "you're fine" nonsense, so don't stress too much. It's like when my levels were sitting at 300 and I was only 20 years old.
I've been through the ringer with this, so just try upping your healthy fats and starting the omega-3s for a couple of weeks. That's my advice.

Thanks so much for the detailed breakdown. To be honest, I'm pretty worried because I'm struggling to put on muscle, and I'm getting a lot of flak for it, which definitely isn't my genetics. Plus, my insomnia is brutal. I do eat plenty of fats, like eggs every day... I'll definitely pick up the omega-3s, thanks for the tip. That FSH thing has me a bit sketched out, though; I'm waiting to see what the doc says at the community health center. Anyway, thanks a ton. Is it cool if I shoot you a PM if I have more questions? 😛

I’d suggest checking your thyroid levels along with a few other markers. It seems highly unlikely that your external hormones are the culprit here...

restlessdriver said:Your testosterone looks great, which pretty much means this isn't a hormone thing. FSH and LH levels swing all over the place daily, so I wouldn't sweat those. An LH of 3 is fine, and FSH is too. Most actual hormonal issues pop up when LH and FSH are sky-high (like over 30-40 for FSH😵), while the testosterone response stays crappy.

The fact that your testosterone is relatively high suggests there’s no reason for your LH or FSH to be elevated. Maybe try focusing on exercise and what you're eating—that should hopefully help. Cut out the refined oils, maybe eat less bread and other carbs, and swap them for more healthy fats.

Personally, I'm dealing with some serious testosterone issues. My last reading was 6 nmol/L, and my doctor keeps insisting I'm within the normal range, even though the scale goes up to 24. It's annoying because she won't even listen to any of the symptoms I'm having.

Thanks so much for the reply, seriously, you've calmed me down a bit... I really hope you find a fix for your own stuff too. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of symptoms are you dealing with? You can just shoot me a DM if that's easier...

Samuel Morales said:Can I shoot you a DM if I have some questions? 😛

Sure. I'll try to help if my limited knowledge allows it.

restlessdriver said:Check your thyroid and a few other things. It's highly unlikely the issue lies with your sex hormones.

I agree. Almost zero chance.

If everything is as you say, there's definitely an issue somewhere, but it's clearly not those hormones you tested. What the actual cause is? That's what a doctor is for.
With those levels, you should have the libido of a bull and be building muscle effortlessly, given how testosterone and muscle mass are directly linked.

How long does it typically take from the moment my primary care physician sends over my lab orders for me to actually get them done at the local community health center?

Can someone help me make sense of these results? A few things are flagged outside the normal range here:

leukocytes 12.7 (3.4-9.7) H
MCHC 353 (320-345) H
lymphocytes 18.9 (20.0-46.0) L
Unspec. Neutro (K) 6.0 (0.0-4.0) H

If anyone can explain what these numbers actually mean, I'd really appreciate it. I usually get my blood drawn every six months since I had thyroid surgery about two years ago. My hormone levels are looking solid right now, though! Thanks a bunch!

Hey there.
Has anyone dealt with slightly elevated Leuk (10.7), ESR (15), and total calcium at 2.63? My GP isn't concerned, and everything else looks normal. Just a heads up—I had gallbladder surgery about ten months ago.

Since it looks like some questions have been sitting there unanswered for quite a while, I’ll step in and provide some input.

Richard Lopez5 said:Despite everything else looking normal on my blood work, my alanine aminotransferase and ferritin levels are coming back low. Everything else in the CBC is fine.
My symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and intestinal cramping. I’m dealing with irregular bowel movements or diarrhea, along with an intolerance for fatty and sugary foods. On top of that, there are headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath even during mild exertion.

Based on what you've described, your first step should be scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

Casey Doyle3 said:Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Saw my doctor today. She mentioned these results could be pointing toward anemia.
I have to go get my iron levels checked. They're telling me I might need to bring a chair to account for potential occult bleeding.
From what I’ve gathered, anemia is defined by low hemoglobin, hematocrit, or erythrocyte counts. MCV is really just a descriptor for those levels. So, how does it make sense to be considered anemic if my erythrocyte count is actually elevated, while my hemoglobin and hematocrit stay within the normal range?
I’m completely lost. Everything just stopped making sense.

You definitely don't have anemia. By definition, anemia requires low erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, or hematocrit, so you're spot on there. That specific mismatch between your MCV and MCHC is unusual, though. One rare scenario where you see a low MCV paired with a high MCHC is a type of hemolytic anemia called spherocytosis, but I highly doubt that’s what’s happening here. It is much more likely just a physiological variation in your results. Generally speaking, an MCV below 80 shouldn't be a cause for concern, nor should the MCHC unless it climbs above 360. These numbers look borderline rather than outright abnormal. When the MCV dips slightly, it can suggest low iron stores—which is best confirmed by checking your ferritin levels. Low iron means it’s either not being taken in enough or it's being lost somewhere. In men following a standard American diet, insufficient intake isn't usually the culprit, so we're left with loss, which typically points toward internal bleeding. That is likely the logic your doctor is following. My gut feeling is that this line of investigation won't turn up much, but we'll see. Good luck.

Sam Kim12 said:I’d appreciate some perspective on my blood work. My MCHC and TIBC are coming back low, but everything else looks solid—erythrocyte 5.00, hemoglobin at 143 g/L, MCH 28.6, MCV 91.1, Fe 11.0, UIBC 37.0, and so on. Any thoughts?

I had this blood panel done because of some gynecological issues—specifically lower abdominal pain, missed periods, and spotting between cycles. My Pap smear came back clear and the ultrasound was normal too. There was an *E. coli* infection found in my cervical swab, but that was cleared up with antibiotics and everything seems fine now, except for these blood results.

It really depends on how far off those MCHC and TIBC values actually are.

Michelle Ortiz said:Need help interpreting these results. 21-year-old male.

erythrocyte 5.45
Hemoglobin 149
Hematocrit 0.448
MCV 82.2 ref 83-97.2
MCH 27.3 ref 27.4-33.9
MCHC 333
RDW 13.3
Platelets 219
MPV 12.4 ref 6.8 - 10.4
iron 9 ref 11-32
ferritin 52

Everything looks normal except for the ones where I listed the reference ranges. How much should these deviations worry me?

What was the reason for running these tests?

Sean Gomez51 said:How long after my primary care physician sends over a lab order for me to get bloodwork done at the community health center can I actually go in? Technically, the referral shouldn't be more than a month old, though they don't always strictly enforce that.

Hmm, if memory serves, about a month? 🤔

electriclynx44 said:Can someone explain these out-of-range values?

Leuk 12.7 (3.4-9.7) H
MCHC 353 (320-345) H
lymphocytes 18.9 (20.0-46.0) L
Nesg. Neutro (K) 6.0 (0.0-4.0) H

If anyone could clarify these numbers—I get blood drawn every six months because I had kidney surgery two years ago. My hormone levels are fine right now. Thanks.

Any symptoms? Any signs of an acute bacterial infection?

Jeremy Grant said:Hello.
Has anyone dealt with elevated Leuk (10.7), sedimentation (15), and total calcium 2.63 in their bloodwork? My GP isn't concerned. Everything else looks normal. For context, I had gallbladder surgery ten months ago.

You should list all the results along with the reason for such a detailed workup. What specifically are you trying to find or rule out?

Hey, could someone take a look at these results and give me their two cents? I’ve got an appointment scheduled with my orthopedist in two weeks—but honestly, I'd rather not sit around waiting that long if I can help it.

So, here’s the situation—for the last six months to a year, I've been dealing with intense hip pain. In my opinion, it's all stemming from an old injury from back when I was stretching—my hip basically "popped" out of place—which was at least five years ago, maybe even longer. Up until this point, I didn't have any major issues with my hips, aside from occasionally noticing that I couldn't quite execute certain movements smoothly during my stretching routines and stuff.

I’m getting pain on both sides of my pelvis—sometimes it lingers all day, other times it only hits at night. I haven't been able to pin down any specific pattern or trigger for when it flares up. To make matters worse, it feels like things are steadily getting worse—I'm even starting to get this strange, "cold" sensation running down the front of my thighs.
EDIT: I forgot to mention—the pain becomes absolutely unbearable whenever I’m dealing with anything more intense, like a bad flu or running a high fever.

Here is my X-ray report:

http://oi68.tinypic.com/2qwcwuo.jpg