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Is WBC Count Of 16.5 A Cause For Concern?
Question: Wbc at 16.5 with IG at 12.4 should I be in a panic about this
Brief Answer:
They are not scary,but indicating bacterial infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read your message and understood your health concerns.
WBC (white blood cells count) are quite elevated (normal range is 4-10.5), mostly in cases of bacterial infection. Your hemoglobin (HG) of 12.4 is under 15 and considered within normal levels.
Enlarged lymph nodes may indicate an infection of upper respiratory tract or throat infection. Bad teeth is also to consider. This is particularly true if you have:
- fever?
- sore throat?
- coughing?
- or any other symptom? Please mention it.
A good ENT examination including throat, ears and oral mucosa and pulmonary examination are necessary to determine the right diagnosis. Sometimes, chest X-ray can also help in diagnosis.
Treatment is followed by antibiotics (you need a prescription from your physician) and symptomatic treatment.
Your physician has forwarded to hematologist as he/she wants to make sure you are not having any hematological disorder especially if you are not having the symptoms I mentioned above.
Anyway, I advise to consult with ENT specialist and pneumologist to rule out respective problems first.
Hope this was helpful.
Dr.Albana
They are not scary,but indicating bacterial infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read your message and understood your health concerns.
WBC (white blood cells count) are quite elevated (normal range is 4-10.5), mostly in cases of bacterial infection. Your hemoglobin (HG) of 12.4 is under 15 and considered within normal levels.
Enlarged lymph nodes may indicate an infection of upper respiratory tract or throat infection. Bad teeth is also to consider. This is particularly true if you have:
- fever?
- sore throat?
- coughing?
- or any other symptom? Please mention it.
A good ENT examination including throat, ears and oral mucosa and pulmonary examination are necessary to determine the right diagnosis. Sometimes, chest X-ray can also help in diagnosis.
Treatment is followed by antibiotics (you need a prescription from your physician) and symptomatic treatment.
Your physician has forwarded to hematologist as he/she wants to make sure you are not having any hematological disorder especially if you are not having the symptoms I mentioned above.
Anyway, I advise to consult with ENT specialist and pneumologist to rule out respective problems first.
Hope this was helpful.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No fever sore throat or coughing! Very tired all over muscle and joint pain rapid pounding heartbeat???
Brief Answer:
Should determine the site of infection in your body.....
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
Thank you for following up.
Feeling very tired with joint pain are due to low Hb levels (possible anemia). I need to have the full report of your blood count to evaluate the changes myself.
Rapid pounding heartbeat is reaction to infection and low Hb levels.
I'm still thinking over a possible infection anywhere in your body. If not related to upper respiratory tract, urinary tract should be further evaluated by urine analysis.
If you have the report of urine analysis, please send it to me.
Dr.Albana
Should determine the site of infection in your body.....
Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,
Thank you for following up.
Feeling very tired with joint pain are due to low Hb levels (possible anemia). I need to have the full report of your blood count to evaluate the changes myself.
Rapid pounding heartbeat is reaction to infection and low Hb levels.
I'm still thinking over a possible infection anywhere in your body. If not related to upper respiratory tract, urinary tract should be further evaluated by urine analysis.
If you have the report of urine analysis, please send it to me.
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Albana! My Dr. Did not do an urinalysis just another CBC stat she said. My white count still high with the immature granulocytes? 12.4 as mentioned before. I hope it's just an infection somewhere I'm very scared since she is sending me off to a hematologist! Other symptoms not mentioned earlier are weight loss hair is falling out a little more than would be normal I think plus the aforementioned symptoms! Also maybe worth noting that I have just been diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia with labral tears...could be cause my abnormal CBC findings? Thanks you so much for your time with me!! XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Still thinking your high WBC with high IG are suggestive of infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
The raised white blood cell (WBC) with high Immature granulocytes (IG) are suggestive of early stages of infection. Before going to hematologist, we should rule out infection first through other tests like urine analysis for example. You can discuss this further with your GP or hematologist too.
If no site of infection is found, we should go into further tests for possible hematological problems. But, still repeating, should rule out infection.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Still thinking your high WBC with high IG are suggestive of infection...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,
The raised white blood cell (WBC) with high Immature granulocytes (IG) are suggestive of early stages of infection. Before going to hematologist, we should rule out infection first through other tests like urine analysis for example. You can discuss this further with your GP or hematologist too.
If no site of infection is found, we should go into further tests for possible hematological problems. But, still repeating, should rule out infection.
All the best!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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