What Causes Unexplained Blue Colored Bruises On Thighs?

Posted on Sat, 10 Jan 2015

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

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 Answered on

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : In November my globulin was 4.1 which was flagged"high" because range was up to 4.0. All other levels on my blood work were fine and the doctor didn't say anything. The last few months I have been noticing small pea size bruises on my thighs that are blue colored that i just assumed i did something not realizing it but today I see one on my under arm above the elbow. It too is small and bluish purple but i don't remember doing anything to cause it. It's possible that I did and don't remember but with my globulin a little off I'm afraid of multiple myeloma....should I be? I've had some neurological symptoms but have been evaluated by a neurologist with everything normal (mri of head and neck, mra of head, eeg, emg and other blood work). I had a cbc in may and my globulin was in normal range.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Would be worth repeating a CBC

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Please do not worry about multiple myeloma ma'am as MM will have multiple changes in blood work like:

+Anemia
+Abnormalities in renal function
+Abnormally high blood calcium level
+Protein in urine
+Plasma cells between 10-60 %
and a few other abnormalities.

In my opinion, it may help to have a repeat CBC as your last one was in May which may be irrelevant now. But if at all, your values return normal levels then the scenario wherein you may have bruised yourself can be considered ma'am.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Thank you for your response! Actually, the blood work I had done in May was completly normal including the globulin(that was done as part of neurological work up). I had another blood test done in September and my globulin was considered high at 4.4 (normal range for this lab was up to 4.0) but my doctor didn't seem concerned. Then I had it done again in November at the ER (I was having chest pain) everything checked out fine except my globulin was still high at 4.1(normal range for this same lab is up to 4.0) So even though it was still flagged as high, it had come down some in two months. All other stuff tested in a standard cbc and metabolic panel was normal. Do you still think I don't need to worry about leukemia or lymphoma? Anything else to consider?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No cause for concern at all ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

With a slightly high globulin level only, I do not see any cause for concern or suspicion for any other condition ma'am.

Sometime one particular laboratory can report mildly elevated values of one particular parameter, but based on textbook and laboratory knowledge, a mildly increased globulin could be falsely raised (due to the laboratory) or it could also happen to due a specific diet that may be high in fat intake or even alcohol.

If at all you haven't undergone an ultrasound examination of your abdomen and pelvis, you may choose to do so, which most probably will show fatty changes of your liver. This is age-related and lifestyle-related. It is harmless and can also cause the mild elevation in your globulin levels.

Other than this I do not see any cause for concern ma'am. And a fatty liver is also no cause for concern at all. I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please do not hesitate to write back to me anytime and for anything, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 days later)

Thank you. Actually back in March I had a CT scan of my abdomen and it did show mild fatty liver. Again my doctor was not concerned about it but I kind of am. I have read that fatty liver is caused by alcohol consumption, being overweight and having high cholesterol. My cholesterol is very goo. I drink very little alcohol (probably no more than 10 drinks a year) and at 5' 4" weighing 125 lbs I am not overweight. I am 42 years old . Given this information should I be concerned about the fatty liver or globulin level?d

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I do no think it should be a cause for concern at all

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Thank you so much for that information.

From my experience the above listed causes are the most common ones that can lead to a fatty liver, but I have also noticed a fatty liver in individuals who have not one of the above mentioned list of causes. At times it is purely age-related and I do not think it is a cause for concern as long as your cholesterol is under control,your weight is normal, and you do not consume alcohol frequently it should never pose to be a problem to your health throughout your life.

I hope this helps answer your doubt ma'am. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

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