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CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND MY BLOOD TEST

Hi all

If there is anyone out there that understands hospital jargon, perhaps you could help me understand my blood test results. Had my usual test done a few weeks ago at Hinchingbrook which they said were fine. Then went on holiday with a raging thoat infection and could do nothing about it whilst away so had miserable holiday but had a blood test at local GP when I got back. Doc called me and said that my platelet count had doubled in just a few weeks from 250 to 530, put it down to the infection and booked another test for the end of the month. But, I have just looked at the print out of the first blood test I had done from the hospital before I had the troat infection and there are some things I don't understand. (I have looked at the blood test page on this site but still have a bit of Laborynthitus so all looks a bit swimmy). Three things on the test were highlighted which I'm trying to understand are as follows:-

CBC - the PDW (which I now know is the platelet distribution width) value was 16 and in the alarms column it said "WOOD". I don't understand what the wood means.

DIFF - NEU = percents 37.1 with an "L" next to it and EOS = percents 9.8 with an "H" next to it and counts 0.61 with an "H" next to it (I assume H and L are high and low).

Comments - WBC figs Neutropenia and Eosinophilia

Just wondering if there was some indication on this (the first test) that the platelets were doing something funny. They always say that everything is ok whether it is or not and then tell you afterwards when its gone back to normal that they had been concerned about something, which can be a bit irritating. Hope there is a boffin out there that can interpret this for me.

Thanks

Apryl

Hi Apryl

Sorry to hear that your not to good.

When are you going to see your cml consultant.  Maybe if its not for a while it might be better to see them a bit earlier to get another complete blood test. Your GP may not be familiar with all the CML jargon.

Different labs have different base lines so it would be sensible to have your blood test done by your consultant.

Lets us know.

Steven D

Dear Apryl,

not sure what 'wood' means either? Platelets normal rage  150 - 450

 

diff means differential

Neu 37.1 'L' means your neutrophils are Low as you have already guessed  ..they fight infection and the normal range is 45-70%

  

Eos 9.8 - 'H' means your eosonphiils are High... which is probably something to do with your infection. They are usually high when there has been an allergic reaction.

It is a good idea..if you have a willing consultant... to get him to explain the alerts on your cbc. You could also take a look at wikipedia to see what it says about platelets and cbc's etc. This might convince your doctor that you are capable and willing to really try to understand your disease and how it is behaving. He should take the time to explain rather than assuming he should not worry you.

Hope this is helpful,

Sandy

Thanks steve/Sandy

I'm having another blood test at the end of the month at the GP's so perhaps I can get them to explain it then.