Dr suspects lymphoma but labs aren't abnormal enough yet

Posted by dparker12 @dparker12, Aug 22 11:10am

hi, I have felt horrible for months. hit out of nowhere , had a pos ANA with high titer, Rheumatologist did some labs no lupus no Sjogrens .... did more labs odd things slightly abnormal. says im in the beginning stages of something she just doesn't know what yet . Had enlarged lymph node removed before all this started , biopsy x's 2 were abnormal suspicious for cancer ... once removed 1 pathologist couldn't determine what it was so they sent it to Vandy I get a call saying it fine . now 2 years later 9 months into dealing with slowly changing abnormal labs and she suspects lymphoma but wants to wait and see, meanwhile im miserable . I don't know what to do .

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@loribmt

Welcome to Connect, @dparker12 I can sure empathize with your frustration when you feel ‘off’ and sensing something isn’t normal with your health. I’m so sorry you’re going through this stressful situation.

Doctors tend to look for trends when studying lab numbers. When you say your blood results are abnormal and changing, which numbers are you talking about? Lymphocytes, red blood counts, hemoglobin?
What type of symptoms are you having?

Are you currently working with a hematologist?

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Had more labs mo day TIBC is now 630... up from 494...transferrin.. high at 477.. cut off is 340..... I hurt feom head to toe... exhausted.... sweating... no appetite... some swollen nodes ...

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@dparker12

Had more labs mo day TIBC is now 630... up from 494...transferrin.. high at 477.. cut off is 340..... I hurt feom head to toe... exhausted.... sweating... no appetite... some swollen nodes ...

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Well, the encouraging sign that I’m seeing is your doctor is still in pursuit of a diagnosis for you. I know it’s frustrating that it’s taking so long to find a diagnosis when you’re feeling so awful. Especially since you’re normally so active!

Finding the underlying cause for this iron deficient anemia can be a challenge. Not getting enough iron in your diet can be one cause but also if your body isn’t able to absorb iron very well you can end up with anemia. Do you have any longterm gut issues such as celiac disease that can interfere with iron absorption?

Have you had a consult yet regarding these new blood results?

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Lyme was neg.. I wondered that too!! Thank you

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@dparker12

Lyme was neg.. I wondered that too!! Thank you

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Don't forget other tick borne diseases such as anaplasma.

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Perhaps consult with hematologist?
Aging itself can create malabsorption in gut leading to iron deficiency, significant for some of us even if not technically anemic, sontheres that you may want to consider, as well. IV iron infusion gave me a great deal of my "normal" back.

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@terry1976

Perhaps consult with hematologist?
Aging itself can create malabsorption in gut leading to iron deficiency, significant for some of us even if not technically anemic, sontheres that you may want to consider, as well. IV iron infusion gave me a great deal of my "normal" back.

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Thank you!

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