Wednesday, August 17, 2016

        * ALBANIA TEENAGER ASKS WHY HER LEUCOCYTE COUNT IS HIGH?



" My friend said you will help me.  i would be really grateful if you could give me an explanation.  I'm sending you the picture of my blood test. ok. as seen in the test, my number of leucocites is high (all doctors here say that but none of them gives me an explanation why it is so high). So I would like to know any reason for that. Furthermore I look always pale, I've been two years ago anemic, I am weak( I mean not drastically but still comparing to how I have been it is obvious i've lost weight) and I have really big pimples under my armpits which cause me pain and this pimples have appeared firstly one year ago. But i really have many. I did an eco of them but they told me that it is nothing serious,but i thing this can be rel;ated to the high number of leucocites,as long as these pimples are infected.  ahah yes,sorry for such a long msg."  (Bryana, Albania)



















Dear Bryana,

After you sent your blood test paperwork, I am glad we had a chance to visit allowing you to ask all your questions.  Your blood results due indeed reflect ongoing anemia.  Since you said "no, never had" blood in your urine, stool, or orally, the immediate explanation for your low  hematocrit and red blood cell (rbc) levels is confirmation that "yes I do" have periods.  Even at age 14, you lose much blood in the menstrual cycles, a rationalization for why " I look always pale, I've been two years ago anemic, I am weak."    Blood carries oxygen, and oxygen is needed for all organs in the body to survive.  When you have a cycle, you lose blood, therefore, you lose oxygen, and the pale complexion along with feeling weak and tired results.  What can you do?  Eat foods high in iron and folate and consult with your doctor about taking iron supplements if diet changes do not bring your rbc and hematocrit levels back to normal.  Red blood cells carry iron,  iron binds the oxygen, and as mentioned, oxygen gives your body energy to survive.  Thus, as I am sure you can now understand, during a cycle , you lose not only red blood cells, you lose iron also.

With regards to your question, " my number of leucocites is high" and "So I would like to know any reason for that."  Actually, Bryana, according to your blood results, your lymphocyte count is LOW, not high.  Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell (leucocyte), and white blood cells are the "good guys" in the body that fight infection.  When your lymphocyte count (LYM%  on paperwork) is low, the most likely explanation is your immune system needs a boost.  When your immune system is under performing, you are at slightly increased risk for infections, especially viral.  Thus, to boost your immune system, eating and exercising are two factors, in your control, to boost overall health.  Eating healthy foods is by far the easiest way to boost the immune system.  Take vitamins, do not smoke, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, eat whole grains, and eat foods low in saturated fat.  In addition, exercise regularly, to maintain a healthy weight.

With regards to your question, "what kind or amount of blood should I consume?  I mean I have hears them say that there are different kinds of iron."   You asked a good question.  Actually, you would not consume blood as a means to obtain dietary iron; instead, you should consume lean cuts of meat (chicken, turkey, beef) to try to regain the daily recommended amounts of iron your body requires to optimally function.  If the diet changes do not increase iron, talk to your doctor about iron supplement tablets.   Also remember to wash your hands frequently to help prevent infections from entering your body.

You are a very intelligent young lady, and I am humbled by your questions and trust.  Please stay in touch, and if other people in Albania have health questions, please feel free to reference them to me.  God Bless you and God Bless Albania.

Respectfully,




Dr. Roshin










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