Worrying blood test results

[Wurst]

I had my blood test results last week and I am rather concerned.

Firstly I'm highly annoyed that my practice forgot to request my HBA1C results from the lab results and have to wait another 3 months for a HBA1C! I was expecting a good one :-(

Secondly I had some worrying results in my blood test :-
Creatine was too high at 1.3 mg/dl. (where 1.2 mg/dl is the upper limit)
white blood cell test leukocytes < too low just below minimum.
red blood cell hemoglobin < too low just below minimum.

Doctor has ordered an occult stool (blood) test and I have another blood test tomorrow.
Anyone have any experience or advice on any of these results ?

 

[Catlady19]

Sorry @Wurst, not had to deal with those before. Good luck for your follow up tests, hope it is all ok.

 

[Dark Horse]

Your creatinine is only just outside the normal range and may be perfectly normal for you, particularly if you are well-muscled. If it just stays at the same level, there probably isn't a problem. The test is used to indicate kidney function so if levels start rising from your normal level, it could indicate a problem with the kidney.

Slightly low leukocyte count could be caused by e.g. a recent virus or antibiotic use. Again, if it's only just under the normal range, it's unlikely to be a problem unless it starts dropping.

Low haemoglobin can be due to a number of factors, your GP will do various investigations to rule out anything untoward

 

[Wurst]

Your creatinine is only just outside the normal range and may be perfectly normal for you, particularly if you are well-muscled. If it just stays at the same level, there probably isn't a problem. The test is used to indicate kidney function so if levels start rising from your normal level, it could indicate a problem with the kidney.

Slightly low leukocyte count could be caused by e.g. a recent virus or antibiotic use. Again, if it's only just under the normal range, it's unlikely to be a problem unless it starts dropping.

Low haemoglobin can be due to a number of factors, your GP will do various investigations to rule out anything untoward

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll have to wait for the second results to be sure. Wrt to the creatinine levels I do strenuous exercise on a daily basis and eat a fair bit of meat so it could be caused by that. Looks like a low protein diet and laze around for a few weeks to see if that helps :-0

 

[Brunneria]

It may be worth knowing that anaemia can muck up HbA1c results, so even if you had had the test done, with a low haemoglobin, it might not have been accurate.

Hope you find out what is causing the issue, and hope it is resolvable.

 

[Dark Horse]

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll have to wait for the second results to be sure. Wrt to the creatinine levels I do strenuous exercise on a daily basis and eat a fair bit of meat so it could be caused by that. Looks like a low protein diet and laze around for a few weeks to see if that helps :-0

I assume the last line is a joke (sometimes hard to tell in print) as based on your stated exercise and meat consumption, it sounds like your creatinine is perfectly normal and no action is required. Bear in mind on repeat tests that there is diurnal variation in creatinine levels so it may be different at different times of day.

 

[Wurst]

I assume the last line is a joke (sometimes hard to tell in print) as based on your stated exercise and meat consumption, it sounds like your creatinine is perfectly normal and no action is required. Bear in mind on repeat tests that there is diurnal variation in creatinine levels so it may be different at different times of day.

It sounds like a joke but I was being serious, if I can lower my creatinine by reducing meat and exercise then I will certainly try it. I've already started on the nettle tea, which is strangely pleasant :-0 After my results are back I think I will consult a kidney specialist to be completely sure.

 

[Dark Horse]

It sounds like a joke but I was being serious, if I can lower my creatinine by reducing meat and exercise then I will certainly try it. I've already started on the nettle tea, which is strangely pleasant :-0 After my results are back I think I will consult a kidney specialist to be completely sure.

Serum creatinine is an indicator of kidney function, it's not something that you need to try and lower by e.g. not eating meat or by not exercising because, although your creatinine levels may drop slightly, it doesn't mean that your kidney function has changed. If the creatinine rises from what is normal for you it MAY indicate the kidney is not working as well as it should but further tests would be needed. Discuss it with your GP, but personally I wouldn't be worried unless the creatinine was rising.

Also bear in mind the possibility of laboratory error. Some labs may tend to measure a little high and your result is so close to the normal range quoted that any difference really seems insignificant.

To preserve your kidney function, you need to keep your HbA1c and your blood pressure down (which might involve exercising).

Good luck with your follow-up results.

 

[Wurst]

Just to conclude this thread , got my second test results back and creatinine was back in limits at 1 mg/dl. White/red blood cell tests had also normalized. It's either the nettle tea or the first test results were erroneous. HBA1C was 4.9 % , normal for me.