What would You do, see a specialist for high white blood cell count?

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Patnono

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Location
Whittier,Ca
For over 30yrs now, when ever I had blood test done or had surgery doctors would say: you're white blood cell count was very high? Though they never did any additional testing and still went ahead with the surgeries. I'm 64 now never any problems. Now I have a new doctor with whom I had a physical with yesterday, and addressed my white blood cell count. She wants me to see a specialist? After all these years I don't see the point? If it was serious, something would have developed by now? Im like don't poke the sleeping bear?
 

my husband's count stayed high. ..turned out to be chronic lymphatic leukemia. ..not something that can kill him...something he can manage.
a clinical trial at mayo clinic proved that green tea extract put it in remission for 84%..he takes it...no problems. ..over 10 years now
 
Well, I have a problem with my blood count but not white cells, platelets are low. I've been meaning to see someone about it. If I were you I would get it checked unless you really are in a position that you don't want to know anything new.
 

I think first I would ask the latest Dr what she thought it signified, what she thought the possibilities were. It could be something like a temporary response to fighting off an infection to more serious. My response is always to press a Dr for an explanation of why they were recommending any particular action that seems unusual. (or expensive!) & I think in this case I'd probably make an apt with the specialist, just to either find out the cause or rule out future problems.
 
Thanks, I had read about it being possibly bring lukemia? If it Was? something would have developed by now! It's just that All if the other doctors did Not seemed concerned. But it was mentioned that it could be allergies? Its been about 35 years, the only thing about the physical was the white cell count. I'll think about it though?
 
If you've had the high count for so many years, you might just want to take a chance and not see a specialist about it. But if it were me, I'd want to know if I had cancer or what exactly was causing it, then go from there.
 
Thanks for writing, I think it were Cancer? After all this time would have resurfaced? If I do? I'll wait till beginning of next year cause my medical insurance right now would be costly, Medicare kicks in. I'm afraid to it might open up a can of worms that don't need to be? I will give it some consideration?
 
I would think and I am no Dr., but if you had this for this long you would have had Cancer symptoms already. I suppose for peace of mind you could go see the specialist. I once awhile back had my PC Doctor refer me to a Kidney Doctor because I had a small cyst show up on my kidney. I went to the specialist and they said it was nothing and they would check on it every 6 months for 3 times and if it doesn't bother me or grow then that would be it. I went back 3 times and it did not grow or bother me and nothing came of it.
 
You go to a hematologist. A visit or two should answer all questions. You can go, or not go, from there.

"...A high white blood cell count isn't a specific disease, but it can indicate another problem, such as infection, stress, inflammation, trauma, allergy, or certain diseases. ... A high lymphocyte count may occur when there is a viral or bacterial infection. Increased monocytes can indicate chronic inflammation....".
 
If you remember what was his white blood cell count and any thing you know about green tea extract?
bingo said:
my husband's count stayed high. ..turned out to be chronic lymphatic leukemia. ..not something that can kill him...something he can manage.
a clinical trial at mayo clinic proved that green tea extract put it in remission for 84%..he takes it...no problems. ..over 10 years now
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for writing, mentioning those things make feel a little less apprehensive. I was told maybe allergies and Stress is my middle name.
 
A little research like this site can give you information to question the doctor that recommended a specialist.


https://healthhearty.com/high-white-blood-cell-count-what-does-it-mean




I don't blame you for wanting to know up front because of insurance. Something as simple as removing a cyst used to be done by a primary care doctor. Now a dermatology specialist is needed. The cost of an office visit to your PCP is one insurance claim. The next claim is an office visit to the dermatoligist for consultation. the 3rd. visit depending where it is to have the work done. That means paying for the specialists expertise, the facility use, & any medications used.


I'm not saying a high white blood cell count should be ignored I'm suggesting knowing all you can find out and question the doctor recommending a specialist. The article explains a lot about different types of high white blood cell issues.
 
Thanks for the information, my doctor really didn't have anything to say about it? And I don't know that I want to know? I'm afraid to research this? So much misinformation out there? I did before, it came up with leukemia, which I knew I didn't have because I'd be maybe dead by now.
 
My wife had hip pain. Went to hospital. Turned out to be a fracture. Actually she had advanced cancer of the stomach that had metastasized into her bones. We learned all this a couple of weeks before she passed away. CANCER must be stopped somehow.
 
Patnono said:
Thanks for the information, my doctor really didn't have anything to say about it? And I don't know that I want to know? I'm afraid to research this? So much misinformation out there? I did before, it came up with leukemia, which I knew I didn't have because I'd be maybe dead by now.
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Tom each their own. I prefer knowing as much as possible only because there maybe something I can do to prevent more damage to whatever the problem might be.

Kinda like knowing where the bear is in the woods to avoid the damage it can do. And yes I know polar bears don't live in the woods.
 
Everyone has a Right to their opinion, isn't this what this Forums about? All I was doing was asking for opinions...and you have yours expressed yours. Like you've NEVER asked a stranger for an opinion...we're All strangers here.
 
I would ask my doc what she suspected and exactly why she was suggesting a specialist and if there was anything else she could do as far as testing. I'd be upfront with my doc about the additional expense of seeing a specialist and that it would be hard for me to afford. I'd also ask if it was something that could wait until you get the Medicare coverage. My doc is very good about answering my questions.
 
Patnono said:
Everyone has a Right to their opinion, isn't this what this Forums about? All I was doing was asking for opinions...and you have yours expressed yours. Like you've NEVER asked a stranger for an opinion...we're All strangers here.
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You asked.

No, I do not ask for opinions of non-professionals about something potentially serious as my blood counts.
 
Patnono said:
Sorry for your lost. I m sure I don't have cancer after 35yrs I would have died already. Take care
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Maybe not. I've had anemia for the last 5 years which I found out initially by being rejected to give blood. I had two rounds of blood testing other than the regular CBC and my internist gave up telling me my anemia wasn't so bad. Didn't do anything else with it.
I went to a Hematologist (no referral, did this on my own) who needed all of 15 minutes to find a (likely) cancer marker in a blood test. Followed up with more tests to confirm. My cancer 'condition' is considered 'smoldering' (a clinical term). I've had the cancer at least 5 years, probably years longer before the anemia set in, but it has not advanced. So, now I have a year's worth of infusions and pills.
It's possible to have a 'smoldering' cancer that goes on for years. Check it out for yourself and get peace of mind.
 

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