This is silly of me, but since I've had a billion blood tests run I started to kind of "chart" some. I've noticed some trends that I can't figure out and which probably are not concerning. But I don't understand them.
So my lymphocytes have been going down since March. They've all been normal until this last one which is just barely under. However, this is "trending". We'll see if there's any more tests done since I'm MGUS and probably healthy as a horse! Here's the most recent lymphocyte result.
Lymphocyte absolute 1.20 - 3.70 10e3/uL 1.07
I don't think the percentage of total is that important, but for what it's worth the lymphocytes are now at 21% which is within range.
RDW:
Then there's this weird other test, RDW, red cell distribution width. From what I've read it's diagnostic of nothing. But it is looked at sometimes in the context of other results. This has most definitely been steadily climbing for 6 months and is just now at the outer edge of normal. Does anyone know anything about RDW and how to understand it?
I know my concerns are absolutely minimal compared to our friends who are battling active myeloma, but I just can't figure these two out and thought I'd see if anyone had any thoughts.
Don't worry if you don't though! Thanks a bunch!
Forums
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Toni,
If you are going to graph your markers, I might suggest following just these items: M-Spike, lambda FLCs, kappa FLCs, K/L Ratio, your immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, etc), albumin, creatinine, BUN, Beta2 Micro, calcium, Hb and RBC.
This will give you a good idea of any increased cancer activity and/or any potential CRAB issues (except for bone lesions) that might be developing.
I'd then leave all the other items for your hematologist to flag, should they be of concern. You'll go crazy if you try to graph and understand every item that you get on your lab reports
If you are going to graph your markers, I might suggest following just these items: M-Spike, lambda FLCs, kappa FLCs, K/L Ratio, your immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, etc), albumin, creatinine, BUN, Beta2 Micro, calcium, Hb and RBC.
This will give you a good idea of any increased cancer activity and/or any potential CRAB issues (except for bone lesions) that might be developing.
I'd then leave all the other items for your hematologist to flag, should they be of concern. You'll go crazy if you try to graph and understand every item that you get on your lab reports
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
FISH multiple myeloma W/PLASMA SEPARATION - looks all normal
Yes, Multibilly, I'm totally obsessing about this stuff. UGH!
The first of my bone marrow (or is this the only?) test came back as perfectly normal. No chromosomal abnormalities.
I would assume I'll get the percentage of plasma cell results later, but for now, I feel like such a hypochondriac
Yes, Multibilly, I'm totally obsessing about this stuff. UGH!
The first of my bone marrow (or is this the only?) test came back as perfectly normal. No chromosomal abnormalities.
I would assume I'll get the percentage of plasma cell results later, but for now, I feel like such a hypochondriac
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Hi Toni,
Just to let you know you're not alone, I have been tracking my wife's numbers for 4 years. Every 3 months, I chart every number, but Multibilly gave you great advice with the important numbers.
We go to the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack and the nurse practitioner gave us a patient lab flow sheet. It basically has every important number, but she highlighted the m-spike, serum free kappa, serum free lambda,and total IgG. So don't feel that you're obsessing, I think you're being prudent.
Good luck to you and everyone else on this website.
Just to let you know you're not alone, I have been tracking my wife's numbers for 4 years. Every 3 months, I chart every number, but Multibilly gave you great advice with the important numbers.
We go to the John Theurer Cancer Center in Hackensack and the nurse practitioner gave us a patient lab flow sheet. It basically has every important number, but she highlighted the m-spike, serum free kappa, serum free lambda,and total IgG. So don't feel that you're obsessing, I think you're being prudent.
Good luck to you and everyone else on this website.
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Joe
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Joe - thanks for the supportive words. It's so frustrating, isn't it? You just don't want to get obsessed, but it's not something you can forget about either.
Glad we all have each other, other people who understand.
Glad we all have each other, other people who understand.
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Toni,
RDW can be elevated if you are anemic. The body tries to compensate for the low red blood count by making the cells larger. This is just one explanation. It may not be the case in your circumstances.
Some of these values can vary, from day to day, and lab to lab. Try not to drive yourself crazy with it!
For instance, sometimes my white count is 4.5. Two days later it is 8. I am taking RVD now, but still I think that is a huge variation. It's a non-issue to my doctor.
Good luck, and try not to read too much into any individual finding on the labs.
RDW can be elevated if you are anemic. The body tries to compensate for the low red blood count by making the cells larger. This is just one explanation. It may not be the case in your circumstances.
Some of these values can vary, from day to day, and lab to lab. Try not to drive yourself crazy with it!
For instance, sometimes my white count is 4.5. Two days later it is 8. I am taking RVD now, but still I think that is a huge variation. It's a non-issue to my doctor.
Good luck, and try not to read too much into any individual finding on the labs.
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Ellen - thanks so much ... !
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Toni - Name: Toni
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self - MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
Toni is so right. Life is hard enough, then you or someone you care about gets diagnosed with this damn thing constantly hanging over your head. I know a lot of people say try not to think about it but, it always finds a way to creep back into your mind.
I compare it to flying on a plane. Every person on the plane is acting calm and professional but, you and I know what they're really thinking.
I compare it to flying on a plane. Every person on the plane is acting calm and professional but, you and I know what they're really thinking.
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Joe
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
There is a condition called lymphocytopenia.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/lym/
It can be caused by several different diseases so I think your question is legitimate if your lymphocyte count is below normal range.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/lym/
It can be caused by several different diseases so I think your question is legitimate if your lymphocyte count is below normal range.
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Carolee888
Re: Lymphocytes decreasing, RDW trending up
I was reading this older post in relation to my red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values as seen over all my blood tests for the past year since my diagnosis with multiple myeloma in November 2016. I am certainly going to discuss the recent trend with my hematologist to see whether this has any adverse consequences.
From what I have read, an elevated RDW can be a very negative prognostic indicator. As others have advised here, I should rely on the experts to get a sense of this. But anyway here is a chart showing the pattern. The low portion of the curve is the time of my autologous stem cell treatment.
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From what I have read, an elevated RDW can be a very negative prognostic indicator. As others have advised here, I should rely on the experts to get a sense of this. But anyway here is a chart showing the pattern. The low portion of the curve is the time of my autologous stem cell treatment.
- ChartImgV2.png (24.71 KiB) Viewed 1280 times
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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