[concerneddaughter]

All test results high - should that be a concern?

by concerneddaughter on Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:00 am

Good morning.

My dad's last appointment showed he had high calcium levels, high glucose levels, and a high white blood count. He has an appointment with an endocrinologist this coming Tuesday because his calcium levels have stayed high for about the past month. I'm just wondering why his glucose levels would be high. Diabetes? And his white blood count? Could that mean cancer is spreading? They didn't seem concerned about it, but I am concerned. Anyone know what this could mean?

I'm super worried about his upcoming visit to the endocrinologist because they think it's a thyroid problem. He chews tobacco and I read that that could cause thyroid cancer. Anyways, any answers to my questions would be so helpful. Thanks!

[JPC]

Re: All test results high - should that be a concern?

by JPC on Fri Mar 25, 2016 2:04 pm

Hello Concerned Daughter,

Not a medical opinion, in any way, shape or form, however, (and I did not see the specific numbers), among the things it could be is an infection. Blood sugar and calcium particularly could be things that he had recently eaten.

More so than one off numbers out of whack, you would look to several consecutive readings out of whack and long-term trends.

Good luck to you.

[concerneddaughter]

Re: All test results high - should that be a concern?

by concerneddaughter on Fri Mar 25, 2016 3:30 pm

Thank you. His doctor said his calcium isn't due to something he ate. Maybe the glucose is.

I just got a call from my dad, and he said the doctor called him and made him an appointment for Monday because he's very concerned about his white blood counts being high. I'm so worried now but hoping for the best.

[moonscape]

Re: All test results high - should that be a concern?

by moonscape on Fri Mar 25, 2016 11:10 pm

Has your dad been taking dexamethasone as part of treatment? Steroids do increase blood sugar, and in some people can cause steroid-induced diabetes.

I'm a diet-controlled diabetic, but once I started on dexamethasone, it made my blood sugar soar. Went to an endocrinologist for insulin, and use insulin 2 days/week to control the dex effect.

If he does have steroid-induced diabetes, my guess is that he's not yet very insulin resistant and it easily can be controlled (except on dex days!) via dietary changes (slashing carbs, basically).