I need help with blood test results? ?

Question

I am a 49 yr old female, overweight (225) but generally healthy, at least until last April. I had a tooth infection and after taking antibiotic Keflex I had pain and swelling in my lymph nodes all the way into my upper chest. I felt like "it" settled in my rotator cuff and still have trouble with pain and motion and overall feeling bad. My blood tests are pretty normal except for WBC...12.6H (4.8-10.8) and BUN...5L (8-22, BUN:Creatinine...5L (10-20), Osmo Calc (serum)...272L (275-300), A/G Ratio...2.5H (3.5-5.2), Cholesterol Tot...302H (125-240), Triglyceride...361H (59-186), HDL Cholesterol...37L (40-95). I had cervical cancer treated by hysterectomy, and worry about the possibility of cancer developing in other places as I have a high incidence in my family. Is it possible for an infection to "settle" in my shoulder joint? My doc said this would be pretty rare and my symptoms would be worse, but my system feels "compromised". I HAVE SURFED SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS, BUT FEEL LIKE THE RESULTS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A WHOLE. I have been waiting to talk to my doc, but after 5 days I am concerned and want to know what these mean. Any leads would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Two things on your blood profile interest me, and by interest, I mean "concern"....

First, your lipid profile items (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) do indicate that you may need to look at both diet and perhaps pharmacological intervention.  I'm not one of those freak out if your cholesterol is over 180 guys, but 300+ probably warrants looking at, especially if you have any history of heart disease or high blood pressure in your family.  How IS your blood pressure?   I would think that a modest and steady plan to shed a few pounds would be a good thing, too.

And, the WBC tells me that you may still have a low grade infection.  12.6 is higher than a non-affected person should be.   You must have had a pretty serious infection to have been on Keflex.   I think you still have some infection issues and your docs need to find them and get them taken care of.

Your other labwork is no factor, I see nothing to sweat at all

John Jones, M.D.

Answer 2

I'm not doctor, so I wouldn't know if an infection would settle in an area or what those results mean, but if you are worried that you could possibly have developed cancer then you should go to a specialist.

If your system feels compromised then you should at least get a full body scan of some sort. Even if your doctor claims that you would be feeling worse, maybe you just and I mean JUST developed cancer. Your body is definitely telling you something is wrong, whether it would be a minor thing or serious.

I really hope its not cancer, but you should definitely just go to a specialist and get tests done to rule it out.