Help medical info`

[marlasmom]

MY DH has a new doctor since we just moved to Florida. He just called and said that on his blood test, his platelet and white counts were low. He has referred to a hematologist and has an appointment for 10/31 unless hematologist wants to see him sooner. Is this a sign of leukemia? What else could it be.

Thanks so much for anything you can tell me. I am going nuts.

 

[newmousecateer]

Bump

 

[JerseyJanice]

Don’t jump to conclusions!

I believe there are a number of medical conditions that could cause unusual blood cell counts (not just leukemia) although I couldn’t tell you what they are.

Because the doctor didn’t rush your DH into the hospital for a spinal tap, I don’t think he thinks it’s leukemia.

My niece was diagnosed with it in 1994. From what I remember about her case, I am under the impression that a spinal tap is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of leukemia.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm no expert, but wouldn't the white blood cell count be high for Leukemia, not low?

Janice, not sure if they do a spinal tap (??) but I've rarely seen too much of anything rushed at a dr's or hospital. When my DD had Bells Palsy, they did take her into the ER very quickly to rule out a stroke. We also had this situation....

On October 6th last year, after an MRI, doctors told us that they strongly suspected our then 13 year old DD had Leukemia. Four days later, they did a bone marrow biopsy, which we expected would just confirm the diagnosis. We were surprised, and VERY happy, to get a negative result. It was almost 2 weeks later that she had another biopsy (directly of a spot on her spine), which ruled out cancer and a bone infection, and at that point we got a diagnosis.

I know it's hard not to jump to conclusions, but try not to until you have more information. Good luck...will check back for updates.

 

[CyranoJones]

A diagnosis of leukemia is made with blood tests and definitively with a bone marrow aspiration.
A spinal tap is done to reveal the extent of leukemia.
x-rays can reveal signs of disease in the chest.

 

[Boots]

High white blood count could be leukemia. Not a low one. Believe me I know. DH is seeing a hematologist for a high white blood count currently. He had the bone marrow test done yesterday. The don't think DH has leukemia, but they don't know what is causing it. HUGS and HUGS.

 

[dmfuru]

The medical terms you describe are:

Leukopenia (low White blood cell count)

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet sount)

Do a search on these words for more info.

 

[Lucky4me]

Don't worry yet!
I have cyclical low white blood count.
It coincides with flare ups of a chronic illness I have.

My doctor sent me to a hemotologist as well. After a couple of years of monthly blood work they came to the conclusion they don't know why it happens. It doesn't seem to be having any long term negative effect on my body. I do know I am really fatigued when the count is low.

Good luck!

 

[piratesmate]

As everyone else has said, Don't worry yet! Although I don't remember what my white count was, when I was 16 my platelet count was extraordinarily low. It turned out that I was having a reaction to a drug they were giving me for seizures. Stopping the drug corrected the problem. (It turned out I wasn't having seizures, just cluster headaches.

{{{HUGS!!!}}}

Deb