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What Causes Elevated Lymphocyte Count While Suffering From Intestinal Colic?

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Posted on Tue, 11 Apr 2017
Question: I have joint aches, tenderness in the area between ribs, lots of gas, and changes in the bowel. My heart rate sometimes increase to the high 80's. Seven years ago I was Dx with hyperthyroidism but those numbers have always been perfect even up to last month. Recently had my CBC completed with a WBC of 3.54 and slight increase in lymph pct auto to 48.6. I had a hide scan completed two years ago and it wasn't "bad" enough to remove. Sometimes the pain goes into my right shoulder and below to the hip area. Just looking for thoughts. I have an appt with a hematologist the middle of April. Thinking this could be my gallbladder but would the WBC be related to that? You input is greatly appreciated. I think I'm really worked up with anxiety about the blood drawl.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Increased lymphocyte possible after infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Your symptoms are suggestive of intestinal colic. Could be due to distention, gastritis, gallstones parasites or change in diet.

Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*how long have you had these symptoms?
*are they getting worse or remain the same?
*is it worse after a meal? Any other triggers or relieving factors that you noticed?
*how are your bowel habits? What changes have you noticed?
*how are your stools and urine?
* do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?
*have you had any surgeries?
*why did you have the HIDA scan? What were the findings?
*did you have any recent illness? (within last 6 months)
*any recent travel?
*do you have any other symptoms? Like fever, cough, diarrhea?
*do you smoke or consume alcohol?
*when did you attain menopause?
*could you send me your reports?


Your lymphocyte count is slight raised. This can happen after an infection or in a chronic infection.

I recommend :
-a physician /hematologist consult.
-an ultrasound abdomen to check for gall stones.
-blood tests (liver function tests).

As you total WBC count is not raised, there is nothing to worry about the lymphocyte count. It doesn't seem related to the gall bladder as then the neutrophil count increases as does the WBC.

Please get back to me with the above requested clarifications so that I can have a better idea.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shuba hariprasad (1 hour later)
The symptoms have been since the beginning of the year but seem to be more problematic.
Yes it seems to be worse after a meal. I feel so bloated, burping and gas. This problem also seems to have an affect on the feeling I have between the rib area.
The bowels seem to be daily but not so normal but not diarrhea.
Urine out put seems to be fine. I drink water, not an over amount. Urine seems clear. Not dark.
I had neck surgery in 2003 and have some issues with pain at night. I take 1 hydrocodone at night and another if the pain wakes after 4 hours. The pain at night is in my neck, lower right side back and hips. X-ray of lower back should nothing other than some arthritis. I have daily headaches. The headaches get worse as the day moves on.
I take 2 .25 mg of Xanax in the evening. None during the day unless I feel anxious which I have been lately. Basically since the blood work.
The Hida scan number wasn't high enough to have my gallbladder removed. I was having symptoms prior to.
No recent travel.
I don't smoke or drink. Eat fairly healthy. I am trying to reduce my sugar intake.
I had a hysterectomy in 1991/92
What reports would you like? My most recent blood drawl was February with nothing abnormal other than what I had reported.
I did have a lupus and lymes test and both were negative.
I have other autoimmune issues. (Alopecia and arthritis)
My joint on my left first finger gets inflamed and has grown.
2/8 blood drawl. 3/9 blood drawl
WBC 3.8. WBC. 3.54
MCHC 31.5. MCHC. 31.8
Mono 9.5. Mono 8.5
ABS Neut 1.65. ABS 1.42
BUN. 21. Not repeated
Cal. 8.4. Not repeated
AST. 14. Not repeated
Globulin 3.3. Not repeated
TSH. 1.17. Not repeated
Lymphs 44.1. Lymphs 48.6
Mono PCT Auto n/a Mono PCT Auto 8.5
Neut PCt Auto. N/a Neut PCT Auto 40.0

All others are within normal limits.

I might add my legs feel weak. I had cataract surgery October of 2016 and I have more floaters than prior to. I think that completes everything. Thank you again.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I do not think the lymphocyte count is worrisome

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and detailed clarifications.

*did your symptoms start after the cataract surgery? Did you antibiotics after surgery?
*what to you mean by 'finger joint has grown'?
*why did you have neck surgery? Any nerve compression or discomfort disease? Was your whole spine screened (evaluated) at that time?
*have you taken an MRI of the whole spine?
*you mentioned alopecia and arthritis - is that rheumatoid arthritis? Are you on any treatment for this?
*why did you have the hysterectomy?
*do you fall sick (like catch a cold) frequently?
*have you ever had an endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract? What were the results?

Pain and anxiety medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Gall bladder inflammation can also cause it.

I do not think your lymphocyte count is worrisome as the total WBC count is normal

Monocyte level is Increased. This again could be due to chronic infection or auto immune disorder.

I suggest :
-stool analysis
-avoid refined grains and processed foods. Take whole grain and homemade foods.
-chew food thoroughly.
-avoid too much water and fruits close to meal time. Take water at the other times. Sip through the day.
-avoid oily and fatty foods and caffeine on and empty stomach.
-take smaller but frequent meals (every 3 hrs or so)
-don't lie down for 2 hrs after a meal.
-please consult your ophthalmologist for the floaters. A few is on but so many that it is bothering you should be checked.

I urge you to consider my earlier recommendations.

Stress triggers through immune system and can worsen your symptoms. Please practice meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises to help stay calm.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shuba hariprasad (59 minutes later)
I haven't been sick all winter, no flu or colds, no flu shots.
This started the beginning of this year, eye surgery was in October. I did use eye drops that were antibiotics.
Within the last few months, the first joint on my first finger of the left hand has gotten bigger. This is also happening on the right hand same finger. There has been no Dx for this. It does hurt but not every day. The same with the pain I feel in my hips at night. It's not every night. I have a very good mattress. The joint pains I feel have to be coming from something. I have never felt this way. I honestly thought I had lupus.
The c-4 was sitting on C-5, very painful. I couldn't sit or stand toward the end before surgery. Part of C-4 was cut away and replace with cadaver from the bone bank and a "spacer" was put between the two to keep them apart. My entire spinal column was examined prior to surgery and have had it done a few years ago with no real issues. Recent x-rays of the lower back were normal with the exception of arthritis but not severe.
Hysterectomy was due to endometriosis and small tumors on one ovary. Removed the right and left the left one that had endo.
I haven't been sick all winter. Except for headaches.
I have never had an endoscopy done.
I will follow your recommendations. I don't eat the standard XXXXXXX diet. My husband had his PhD in holistic nurtrition. But with his passing and all the stress this past year, I have fallen off the wagon. I'm working to get back on. I know my diet is extremely important with keeping my thyroid. I drink water, have 1 cup of coffee in the morning and if I drink tea, it's caffeine free.
I have started meditation. I know I need to do that. My husband practiced it daily.

I thank you. You have put my mind at ease. This has been increasing my stress especially when the doctor mentioned leukemia. I have no outward signs of that so I'm sure that's not an issue. I truly believe it's my gallbladder. I had fried cabbage in butter with onions and hot sausage last night and had lots of gas, bloating, burping and just not comfortable. It seems like everything gives me indigestion. I am in the stages of eating better than the past year with all my so called comfort food. The stress level should be decreasing as the year continues.

Thank you again for your help. You have been fantastic! I promise I will follow what you say. Times like this, I truly miss my husband. Thank you and may you have a beautiful, healthy life. I appreciate all you have done.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Bouchard's nodes - osteoarthritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I am so sorry. I can understand how difficult it must have been losing someone you love. Time surely heals.

The bony outgrowths sound like "Bouchard's nodes". This is commonly seen in osteoarthritis (OA) and less frequently in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

OA occurs with age and menopause. RA is auto immune related.
Your back pain could also be due to the arthritis.

I agree with you about the diet and am happy to see that you are getting back on track.

I don't think these results are suggestive of leukemia. However, I would like you to monitor your blood work regularly (every 3 months) diet and stress levels.
Once the values remain steady within normal limits for three consecutive times, you may do it once a year.
I suggest that you consult an orthopedic doctor as well to check for bone density and osteoarthritis.

I am glad to have been of help and I sincerely hope that you feel better soon.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish and pray for your good health. Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shuba hariprasad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 1087 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Lymphocyte Count While Suffering From Intestinal Colic?

Brief Answer: Increased lymphocyte possible after infection Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for your query. I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today. Your symptoms are suggestive of intestinal colic. Could be due to distention, gastritis, gallstones parasites or change in diet. Would you clarify a few things for me, please? *how long have you had these symptoms? *are they getting worse or remain the same? *is it worse after a meal? Any other triggers or relieving factors that you noticed? *how are your bowel habits? What changes have you noticed? *how are your stools and urine? * do you have any other medical issues or take any medications? *have you had any surgeries? *why did you have the HIDA scan? What were the findings? *did you have any recent illness? (within last 6 months) *any recent travel? *do you have any other symptoms? Like fever, cough, diarrhea? *do you smoke or consume alcohol? *when did you attain menopause? *could you send me your reports? Your lymphocyte count is slight raised. This can happen after an infection or in a chronic infection. I recommend : -a physician /hematologist consult. -an ultrasound abdomen to check for gall stones. -blood tests (liver function tests). As you total WBC count is not raised, there is nothing to worry about the lymphocyte count. It doesn't seem related to the gall bladder as then the neutrophil count increases as does the WBC. Please get back to me with the above requested clarifications so that I can have a better idea. Wish you good health. Regards, Dr. Shuba Hariprasad