Scared of blood test results

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shari55
shari55 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
I have and appt. with my oncologist on Tues.  I had blood work done yesterday and Kaiser posts the results on line.  I thought this was a good thing, but now I'm just terrified.  My lymphocytes are low, my nutrophils are high and the ANA test is positive.  Of course I'm looking all this up and scaring myself to death. I have a call in to my oncs office, but I'm going crazy waiting for the call back.  Anyone else ever have blood test results like this?  I'm 3and 1/2 years ourt from diagnosis and feeling fine except for minor things like hot flashes and aches from arimidex and still feeling more tired than i'd like to. thanks
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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2010

    It doesn't take much to throw our test out of whack. Before you scare yourself further, it MAY mean nothing. And, if it does mean something, you will fight that battle when the time comes. Like you, I don't know, but just want to let you know that I'll be thinking you of and hoping for the best.

    Jennifer

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  • shari55
    shari55 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2010

    Jennifer,

    Thanks so much for your reply.  When I'm sitting here alone with my fears, it helps to know someone cares.

    Shary

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  • CandDsMom
    CandDsMom Member Posts: 387
    edited July 2010

    Shary-

    Asymptomatic positive ANA tests occur in about 5% of the population.  It is usually done for evaluation of something like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis maybe it was done for fatigue but it is highly nonspecific - meaning no one really knows what a modestly positive test means.  A positive test does NOT mean that you have one of those conditions.  In fact it may mean nothing at all - it usually has to be correlated with other symptoms.  Your oncologist will need to explain exactly the rationale for ordering it... 

    As far as the neutrophils, those are the type of white blood cells that fight infection.  Lymphocytes are the type of white blood cell that use antibodies to fight off infection.  If you have recently received chemo or had even had a little virus or cold it can cause these tests to be slightly off in this manner and will usually recover on their own.  In many cases this recovery is not even tracked by a Dr - it is just assumed to happen because little blips in lab reports happen so often. 

    I hope this helps and you get good news from your onc's office soon!

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  • LisaF
    LisaF Member Posts: 200
    edited July 2010

    Hi Shari,

    I can't offer as good of information as CanDsMom, as my oncologist doesn't even give me blood tests.  I'm a year and a half out of chemo and they haven't done any blood work since then.  I think they will when I have my 5 month checkup next week.

    I don't know what is worse.  Not having blood work, or having it and going through all of the scares that may come with it!

    Good luck and let us know what you find out!!

    Lisa

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  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited July 2010

    Have been driving myself crazy the last couple days with backpain and thinking it is BC related...I too should stay off the web, went to doc, he assures my it's a muscle strain....I was so happy to get meds for that, my mind had me with a tumor or something...Your doc will probably have a sensible answer for you too......Wishing you the best>>>>>

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  • shari55
    shari55 Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2010

    I talked to the nurse in the oncs office.  She said my WBC is finally up into the normal range which is what they were looking for.  They are not concerned about the other 2 being high and low so neither should I.  She called the lab about the ANA thing then called me back again.  I didn't really understand what she was saying about redoing somethin and it being tighter, but in the end she said it is OK and nothing to worry about.  I'll see them on Tues. and we'll go over it all again, but at least now I no longer think all the horrible things I was thinking earlier.  Thank you all for your kind reassuring words.

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  • Jenniferz
    Jenniferz Member Posts: 541
    edited July 2010

    I honestly HATE lab work. Seveal months ago, my blood calcium levels were too high. Went to Dr. Google, and I had cancer. Scared myself to deat!! Turned out that all I needed to do was cut back on my calcium, and low and behold....normal!! Moral of this story is to stay away from Dr. Google and the like and talk to your real experts. They know you best!



    So glad your blood work is ok, Shari. Here's to hoping that that's the end of the scares and you continue on as healthy!



    Jennifer

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  • homegirl
    homegirl Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2010

    Jennifer - I had blood work 2 weeks ago when I went in for back pain and I also had high calcium levels.  Of course I immediately thought bone mets with the back pain and the high calcium levels just made my fear worse when I went onto Google and started researching!  I'm glad to know that yours went back down and that it can be caused by a simple thing like your calcium supplements.  My dr. said stay off the calcium and I'm going back in next week for a retest and hoping it's good news.   Anyone else have any experience with high calcium levels?

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited July 2010

    Hi homegirl, I had high calcium so I upped my dosage of vit D.  It helped to lower the calcium some.  Love n hugs. chrissyb

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