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What Causes Slightly Elevated Leukocytes And Neutrophils?
Question: I had blood work done recently and have never had abnormal numbers in the past. I am very concerned even though my doctor is not he thinks I was fighting off an unknown infection when blood work was taken. I have been very tired so I saw him for issues, he noticed my BP was slightly elevated and put me on diuretics 25mg per day, he suspected a UTI so did urine culture nothing grew as in bacterial but nitrate and leukocytes were high so he put me on CIPRO 500mg 2x day for 7 days, my urine was very cloudy and was urinating a lot with buring. Concerned no bacteria grew, though my urine is now clear. The blood work was taken while I was on Cipro and the diuretic (would those change my numbers etc). Here are the results again he said he is not concerned. Would this indicated cancer? of any kind not just blood related. Since all the kidney function blood work was okay I assume its not kidney related. Very concerned here are the actual numbers. WBC 11.6, Platelets 411, Luekocytes and Neurophils only elevated by 1 or 2 points, AST (Liver) was at 37. I am very worried he is missing something.
Brief Answer:
Physicial or emotional stresses
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your history and blood result.
Your results are absolutely fine.
Mild elevation of leukocytes and neutrophils by 1 or 2 point could be due to the result of physicial or emotional stresses and not related to any specific condition or disease process.
Since your urine culture showed no growth and you have been treated by ciprofloxacin the blood counts will come back to normal within a weeks time.
You are not suffering from cancer and you do not need to worry.
Regards
DR DE
Physicial or emotional stresses
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I have gone through your history and blood result.
Your results are absolutely fine.
Mild elevation of leukocytes and neutrophils by 1 or 2 point could be due to the result of physicial or emotional stresses and not related to any specific condition or disease process.
Since your urine culture showed no growth and you have been treated by ciprofloxacin the blood counts will come back to normal within a weeks time.
You are not suffering from cancer and you do not need to worry.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I was wondering if the WBC count and Platelets which were both high 11.6 and 411 respectively would indicated some type of cancer not necessarily blood cancer my numbers have never been off before. Also I had asked if the diuretic would change my blood viscosity causing the numbers to be high? Please address both of these.
To add to the above question could you tell me why I would have high leukocytes and nitrates in urine but no bacterial growth when they sent in for testing if this and the previous question could be answered at length would appreciate thank you.
To add to the above question could you tell me why I would have high leukocytes and nitrates in urine but no bacterial growth when they sent in for testing if this and the previous question could be answered at length would appreciate thank you.
Brief Answer:
gram negative bacteria is present
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Your wbc and platelets are minorly high and this indicates some kind of bacterial infection remaining.
In blood cancer the counts are much higher.
I would advise you to do a repeat urine and blood culture test.
If any growth is found then 7 days more of sensitive antibiotics needs to be taken.
Diuretic has no relationship with your numbers to be high.
Presence of leukocytes in urine mean your body is making an inflammatory reaction.
A positive nitrite test in urine indicates a gram negative bacteria is present which sometimes may not be detected in the initial urine culture test.
You could have a bladder infection with a bacteria which does not convert nitrates to nitrites.
An example is enterococci, which can cause an infection, cause white cells, yet not change the nitrites portion of the dipstick.
I will advise you to do a microscopic exam and repeat urine culture test.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
gram negative bacteria is present
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Your wbc and platelets are minorly high and this indicates some kind of bacterial infection remaining.
In blood cancer the counts are much higher.
I would advise you to do a repeat urine and blood culture test.
If any growth is found then 7 days more of sensitive antibiotics needs to be taken.
Diuretic has no relationship with your numbers to be high.
Presence of leukocytes in urine mean your body is making an inflammatory reaction.
A positive nitrite test in urine indicates a gram negative bacteria is present which sometimes may not be detected in the initial urine culture test.
You could have a bladder infection with a bacteria which does not convert nitrates to nitrites.
An example is enterococci, which can cause an infection, cause white cells, yet not change the nitrites portion of the dipstick.
I will advise you to do a microscopic exam and repeat urine culture test.
If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.
Regards
DR DE
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
I was on day 3 of a 7 day course of Cipro at 500mg 2x per day when the blood work was taken. Urine was tested with dipstick which showed high leukocytes, high nitrites, than sent in for culture they did say it came back positive for a UTI, my urine was very cloudy when I had the dipstick test done. The blood work was done during this time on Cipro so I assume that would be why the WBC was elevated would that also explain the slightly off my Platelets of 411 and the Nuerophils were 1 point high than normal also the Lymphs were 1 point higher than normal. I also wonder about why my AST (liver enzyme) was 37 which is high according to the lab they sent it too. My Doctor did not seem concerned told me to come back in a month. I still really tired and listless. If you would answer these questions I will close out after. thank you
Brief Answer:
Blood work was high due to incomplete course of antibiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The WBC was high, platelets minorly high and neutrophils and lymphocytes 1 point higher than normal because your bloodwork was done on day 3 of ciprofloxacin course and your urine tested positive for UTI.
If it was done after completion of the course of 7 days then blood and urine tests would have come out normal.
An antibiotic takes minimum of 7 days of time to kill all the infection.
Normal level of AST internationally is between 10 to 40 units per liter and since it is 37 in your case it is absolutely normal and you do not need to worry.
Regards
DR DE
Blood work was high due to incomplete course of antibiotic
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The WBC was high, platelets minorly high and neutrophils and lymphocytes 1 point higher than normal because your bloodwork was done on day 3 of ciprofloxacin course and your urine tested positive for UTI.
If it was done after completion of the course of 7 days then blood and urine tests would have come out normal.
An antibiotic takes minimum of 7 days of time to kill all the infection.
Normal level of AST internationally is between 10 to 40 units per liter and since it is 37 in your case it is absolutely normal and you do not need to worry.
Regards
DR DE
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. Vaishalee Punj
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