What Does The Following Blood Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 17 Jun 2016

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

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 Answered on

Thu, 7 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My most recent blood work-up revealed, for the first time ever, the presence of nrbc's (.3%, .03 count). My wbc was also high (10.8, it's usually a bit below 8) but I assume that's a miscounting of nucleated red blood cells as wbc. No signs at all of anemia. My dr wants to wait and retest in 60 days. I am nervous about that since my father was dagnosed with leukemia at my age (63) and died 18 months later. Note: my tsh is 6.66, up from 6.04 6 months ago, although my t4 count is ok/low normal (6) i.e. Sub clinical hypothyroidism. How worried should I be? My impulse is to see a hematologist asap and have a manual blood workup done now but, as noted, my primary care dr wants to wait 60 days.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
3 nucleated RBC/100WBC & mildly elevated WBC count do not indicate leukemia

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to XXXXXXX Care Magic.

Nucleated red blood cells upto 3/100 white blood cells (WBC) does not signify any serious condition.
WBC count of 10.8 is slightly raised from its normal range.
These findings do not indicate leukemia.
You may post the differential leukocyte count for more information.
The thyroid function tests indicate sub-clinical hypothyroidism.
You need to continue with your thyroxine medication.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (20 minutes later)

I'm not on thyroxine, though I think I should be since I have a slew of hypothyroid symptoms like dramatically increased sensitivity to cold, but again we're waiting to retest in 60 days. Thank you for your reply. My biggest issue had been not knowing (not from dr, not from Internet) what levels of nrbc were truly significant. Now I have an idea. Again thank you. No need to reply.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks and take care

Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care

Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee