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Have Swollen Leg, Elevated Rbc, Wbc With Non Functional Spleen And Liver. What Are The Risks?

Posted on Sat, 27 Apr 2013

Question: Hi, I'm 28 years old, and I went to the doctors office yesterday, they told me that no treatments were available for me. Two months ago I went to the hospital because I had lost lots of blood and was very dizzy, they found out that my red blood cells were elevated. They have send me to a blood specialist. So the doctor yesterday told me that my spleen is non fonctional and my liver is not working anymore, my white blood cells are elevated and so is my iron. I pass out from time to time, and have swollen legs. What can I do? the doctor told me that besides all that I'm in perfect health. That what I have is nothing. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Sunil (4 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

High RBCs, high WBCs and elevated iron and swelling may occur in variety of conditions ranging from chronic granulomatous diseases to lymphomas.

Please let me know if you have bleeding tendency? Heart related problems? Taking any medicine?
It would be more helpful if you upload your tests.

However, you may ask your treating doctor if you have any autoimmune disease or genetic disorder (Hepatorenal tyrosinemia)?

In such vague conditions, biopsies, CT scan, MRI may give some clue.

Waiting for your response,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sunil (5 hours later)

Hi, my dad died of a heart attack when I was 14 and my mom just died of kidney cancer. As for my stomach intestines and everything else, everything is just clear. My blood problem is my menstrual cycle, it comes in a huge cloth of blood and I have contraction to take it out and thats it. I take some medication for my epilepsy but thats it.. (epival) sometimes my heart rate rises and lowers its self at once and causes me to pass out. but doctors says its fine.

Answered by Dr. Sunil (35 minutes later)

Hi,

Thanks for your follow-up questions.

As you are taking Epival (valproate) for you epilepsy, it may affect liver and cause hepatic dysfunction. Therefore liver function tests should be performed at frequent intervals especially during the first six months of Valproate therapy. This drug should be stopped after consulting your doctor if your Live Function Test is widely deranged or symptoms of hepatic dysfunction are evident.
In addition Valporate can also cause pancreatitis which in turn may increased WBC and Reticulocytes(RBC).
Easy bruising , bleeding tendencies and menstrual abnormalities are also known side effects of this drug.

In addition to consulting a hematologist, I also suggest you to consider discussion with your treating doctor and to review valproate therapy. CT scan / MRI scan and if needed liver biopsy may be performed under the guidance of hematologist to exclude other disease.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Wish you good health!

Regards,
Dr Sunil

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad