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Blood Test Showed High Complement Total And Low Absolute Eosinophils. Looking For Suggestions

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Posted on Fri, 16 Nov 2012
Question: Recent bloodwork shows complement total (CH50) is high and so is c-reactive protein. Absolute eosinophils is low and occult blood was present in urine but not on menstrual cycle. Can you explain this better to me in plain layperson english? please
doctor
Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (10 hours later)
Hello and thank you for sending your question.

The laboratory results which you have indicated reflect a likely inflammatory process. Elevated complement levels and sedimentation rate usually occur in the setting of inflammation or possibly infection.

I would suggest that you do visit with an infectious disease specialist to make sure that there is no possible infection which could be triggering these laboratory results.

You have already made the correct step in visiting with a rheumatologist as well. If you have physical exam findings which are suspicious for some type of inflammatory arthritis the rheumatologist may recommend medications such as prednisone.

Again at this point I think the explanation for your elevated laboratory results are related to inflammatory process versus infection. The only way to truly assess for this would be with physical examination and additional blood testing as per the recommendations of your specialist.

Thanks again for sending your question. Please let me know if you have any additional concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (7 minutes later)
Rheumatologist was checking these levels because he was testing for lupus. I have had a rash, pleurisy, horrible fatigue, red eyelids and eyes that hurt like I have cried for days. Just worried it could be lupus and I don't get to see him for like another 2 weeks... Just all of this bloodwork stuff is
Greek to me. Could this possibly be lupus if
These are the only things outside of normal
Limits? Just inquiring thank u.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (12 hours later)
Hello and thank you for the additional question.

In Absence of any other positive test result I would be hesitant to say that you have lupus with XXXXXXX results that you have reported. There maybe additional tests that the rheumatologist has requested take additional time. These confirmatory tests usually take several days or sometimes over a week in order to result.

There are many inflammatory disorders which could potentially cause the symptoms you are reporting. Some of these are referred to as mixed connective tissue disorders. Again I would encourage you to follow up with the rheumatologist to discuss all the test results in great detail. It does not sound like you have any obvious infection but again it may be reasonable to visit with an infectious disease specialist to make sure that you are not dealing with some type of chronic infection weather is a virus or bacteria.

Thanks again for sending your question. Please let me know if you have any additional concerns.

Dr. Robert
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Robert Galamaga

Oncologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Blood Test Showed High Complement Total And Low Absolute Eosinophils. Looking For Suggestions

Hello and thank you for sending your question.

The laboratory results which you have indicated reflect a likely inflammatory process. Elevated complement levels and sedimentation rate usually occur in the setting of inflammation or possibly infection.

I would suggest that you do visit with an infectious disease specialist to make sure that there is no possible infection which could be triggering these laboratory results.

You have already made the correct step in visiting with a rheumatologist as well. If you have physical exam findings which are suspicious for some type of inflammatory arthritis the rheumatologist may recommend medications such as prednisone.

Again at this point I think the explanation for your elevated laboratory results are related to inflammatory process versus infection. The only way to truly assess for this would be with physical examination and additional blood testing as per the recommendations of your specialist.

Thanks again for sending your question. Please let me know if you have any additional concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert