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What Causes Elevated ESR Levels In Blood?
Question: Hi, I have just had my blood results back from a pre-employment medical & everything is fine apart from a slightly elevated platelet level at 545. I'm 25, My ESR is fine & my iron levels are fine too, I have no history of any symptoms associated with this & am in perfectly fit condition. I'm going to see a GP tomorrow as the private medical centre won't give me my medical file back to hand to my new employer until my GP has looked at my results. Can you advise on whether my GP will okay my results?
Brief Answer:
Further testing before validation. Too early to worry
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for the query,
Raised blood platelets could a simple benign condition. Any infection, bacterial and at times viral could cause platelet levels to increase. In your case however, other parameters like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are normal.
It is compelling further investigate secondary causes of this raised platelets like some bone marrow diseases. Coupled with the fact that lymphocyte counts are moderately low, I suggest your primary care physician should push for further testing to be sure a serious condition is not underlying these abnormality.
Another option could be staying for a while and getting the tests repeated. A bone marrow exam (aspirate) could be useful, as well as a peripheral blood smear.
Though from first sight not serious, I am afraid most GP shall push for further testing before validation.
Thanks and kind regards,
Dr Bain
Further testing before validation. Too early to worry
Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for the query,
Raised blood platelets could a simple benign condition. Any infection, bacterial and at times viral could cause platelet levels to increase. In your case however, other parameters like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are normal.
It is compelling further investigate secondary causes of this raised platelets like some bone marrow diseases. Coupled with the fact that lymphocyte counts are moderately low, I suggest your primary care physician should push for further testing to be sure a serious condition is not underlying these abnormality.
Another option could be staying for a while and getting the tests repeated. A bone marrow exam (aspirate) could be useful, as well as a peripheral blood smear.
Though from first sight not serious, I am afraid most GP shall push for further testing before validation.
Thanks and kind regards,
Dr Bain
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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