I Would Like To Review My Blood Work

Posted on Tue, 15 Sep 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 Answered on

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I would like to review my blood work with you. I have been a smoker for 20 years and recently quit 4 days ago. What do these numbers mean?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
RBC, Hb and hct are high in chronic smokers

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The blood report shows elevated red blood cell (RBC) count, elevated hemoglobin (Hb) and elevated hematocrit (hct).
This picture is seen in chronic smokers.
It's good that you have quit smoking, however these values may not return to normal levels.
Rest of the images are of neck ultrasound showing enlarged lymph nodes in neck.
I suggest you to consult your primary healthcare provider to get fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the lymph nodes.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (2 hours later)

So what does it mean if they don't return to normal levels?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Quiting smoking may lead to very slow recovery of RBC, Hb and hct levels

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The RBC count, Hb and hematocrit are elevated due to reduced oxygen supply to body organs.
Chronic smoking leads to lung dysfunction and thus compensatory effort of body to improve oxygenation by increasing RBC count, Hb and hematocrit.
The damage done by smoking starts reversing once person stops smoking completely.
However, completely recovery may take a very long time.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (4 hours later)

I am scheduled for a gastric bypass in February 2021. Will I be able to have the surgery if my levels are still at the same? Or do you think they might lower by then?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery can be performed when you are found fit in pre-anaesthetic check up

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
You may under go surgery after your pre-anaesthetic check up.
All these parameters will be checked again before the surgery.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (9 hours later)

I have an appointment with a hemotologist tomorrow. Do you think there will be a slight decline in my numbers since quitting smoking 6 days ago?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Quitting smoking is unlikely to produce a significant change

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Quitting smoking for six days is unlikely to produce a significant change in hematological values.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D