What Do My Blood Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 27 Jan 2016

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

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 Answered on

Sat, 12 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had MS since 2009 and I have had several differential blood tests done since 2011. Everything on the test came back normal, but I noticed that over the past 5 Months from August - January there are a few tests that are completely different than my average. I have recently been weak, with pain on my left side (arm, hip, knee, elbow, shoulder). The tests that have changed drastically are ABS Granulocytes: 10.3 (double from 5 Months ago), Granulocytes 76.7%, elevated from 60.5. Lymphocytes dropped significantly from 29.6 to 16 and WBC increased dramatically from 8.4 to 13.4. I have an appointment with the Nurse Practioner tomorrow, but I would like to know what questions I should be asking in regards to these results/changes? Throughout the course of my MS the results have been pretty equal, so I guess I would assume there is something else contributing?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The blood findings suggest bacterial infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.

The blood reports show an increase in white blood cells, increase in neutrophils and low lymphocytes.
Increase in white blood cells is suggestive of infection.
Increased neutrophils is suggestive of bacterial infection.
Thus, this report indicates a bacterial infection.
Thus, you need to consult your doctor to find out the focus of infection.
Bacterial infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
In addition, the CSF is showing a mild increase in CSF white blood cells.
More than 90% of them are lymphocytes.
There is increase in protein and albumin also however, glucose is normal.
These findings are expected in patients of MS so nothing serious.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T