What Causes Elevated WBC Count While Treating A UTI?

Posted on Mon, 14 Nov 2016

Question: I am just getting over a Urinary Tract Infection I finished my last does of antibiotics on Wednesday morning and took a blood test on Wednesday afternoon to make sure my white blood cell count went back down. My WBC was at 8.3, however my #BASO was still at 0.10 when I was diagnosed with the UTI. Should I be concerned about leukemia and push my doctor to do follow up test or is this normal.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no need for follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is understandable to be concerned about any change but the total white cell count is used to diagnose leukemia or lymphoma not the breakdown.

Basophil is a TYPE of white blood cell. There are a number of different types and they respond in slightly different circumstances eg basophils may respond may in allergic situations (sinuses, rhinits- nasal congestion, sneezing) though they also increase in other circumstances as well.

In leukemia or lymphoma , the TOTAL white cell count would be increased significantly and for a prolonged period of time, your white cell is completely within normal range.

There is no need for follow up based on the above values

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (6 minutes later)

These were my numbers do they look OK to you?
WBC          8.5     K/uL     L=4.8 H=10.8
RBC          4.24     M/uL     L=4.20 H=5.40
HEMOGLOBIN          12.6     g/dL     L=14.0 H=18.0
HEMATOCRIT          38.7     %     L=42.0 H=52.0
MCV          91.3     fL     L=81.0 H=99.0
MCH          29.9     pg     L=27.0 H=31.0
MCHC          32.7     g/dL     L=33.0 H=37.0
RDW          14.3     %     L=11.5 H=14.5
PLATELETS          320     K/uL     L=130 H=400
MPV          8.5     fL     L=7.4 H=10.4
%LYMPH          32.3     %     L=17.0 H=45.0
%MONO          7.0     %     L=4.0 H=12.0
%GRAN          57.4     %     L=40.0 H=72.0
%EOS          1.9     %     L=0.0 H=10.0
%BASO          1.4     %     L=0.0 H=1.0
#LYMPH          2.8     K/uL     L=1.2 H=3.4
#MONO          0.60     K/uL     L=0.10 H=0.60
#GRAN          4.90     K/uL     L=2.20 H=4.80
#EOS          0.2     K/uL     L=0.0 H=5.0
#BASO          0.10     K/uL     L=0.00 H=0.10
MANUAL DIFF          NOT INDICATED     N/A
RBC MORPH          NOT INDICATED     N/A

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
they are fine

Detailed Answer:
HI

They are fine

It can be confusing to patients when presented with this host of results.

Look first at the main areas- Hb, WBC and platelets

Everything else is used/interpreted along these three.

Hematocrit,rbc mcv, mchc, rdw- these are used with the Hb

MPV is used with the platelets though not very often

Lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes, eosinophils, basophils, - these are types of white blood cells and again they are not interpreted on their own but along with the total white cell count
Normally neutrophils are also mentioned

Please feel free to ask anything else

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar