High WBC and platelet count

Hi econnor, This site has many people who are more qualified to answer your query than I am. I am from Australia and I assume you are situated in USA. Our health systems are a little different but our health problems are exactly the same.

Normally WBC range should be between 4 to 11 and platelets 150 to 400. I have 3 different solid cancers as well as Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) so my WBC count is a bit higher at 150 and my Platelets range between 150 to 200. I have a number of different medical professionals on my team looking after me and whilst concerned about the high WBC they are quite happy with my situation and general health and have me on watch & wait and monitor progress every 3 months.

A high WBC should be thoroughly investigated especially when it has been determined that you haven't got any signs of infection. In regard to platelets the higher the count within the range the better, a low count indicates potential problems with clotting.

It is imperative that you find out the cause of your increased WBC count, don't wait around without knowing what is going on in your body, if there is something wrong then the earlier they find out what it is the better as they can target their prognosis with the right medication. I suggest that you get a second opinion, consider seeing a Hematologist as they specialise in problems with our blood which is what you appear to have. I was diagnosed with CLL in 2016 when my WBC count was similar to what you now have but don't take this as suggesting you could have CLL, leave this to the medical professionals. You have taken the first step in assuming responsibility for your own health by questioning the advice you have received, take the next step and seek a second opinion .
I wish you all the best and good luck.

thank you i've been to two hematologist and both of them have brushed me off! they ruled out cancer but still have no idea why my blood count is so high! i'm looking for a different hematologist who will actually listen to me! i'm going to see the second again on monday and if i don't like her attitude. (i reported her to the clinic for her attitude) i'm going to find a doctor that will listen to me. i had my primary care doctor check my wbc count and it was 16. it fluctuates but it's not going down past 13.

Hi eoconnor, good for you being proactive and seeking an answer to a health issue that to-date the medical fraternity have been unable to solve. It is frustrating when we run into these kind of roadblocks but you cannot let this deter you.
It is great to learn that you have also taken action to report the Hematologist as it shows that you are serious about your responsibility for your own health. No body will care more about it than yourself.
When it was first suspected I may have CLL with blood readings like your own I was seeing a different Hematologist to my current Oncologist/Hematologist and that persons first response to clarify the source of my concern was to take a bone marrow biopsy, perhaps this is something you could discuss on Monday.
Unfortunately I cannot offer you any positive advice other than don’t give up as you are on the right track and with persistence you will find the answers you seek.

I think it may be beneficial to write a letter to the hospital/ clinic administrator documenting everything you have experienced, copy your primary care doc and health insurance administrator too. You should get a response, plus you have documentation on what's going on with you if you need it for the future for any reason. Good luck.

I was having problems too and I finally got a new hematologist/oncologist, who communicates with me.

So I had high WBC and platelet numbers and went to Sloan Cancer Center. They performed a bone marrow aspiration and pathology plus a molecular panel. I was diagnosed with MDS/MPN-RS-T. You will never know why you have high WBC and platelet numbers until you go to a Cancer Center and get the appropriate testing done. Knowledge is important because once your properly diagnosed your oncologist will know how to treat you. Good luck.

She decided to put me on an iron supplement and do a JAK2 test to figure out why my blood counts where so off. here's hoping it figures out what is wrong if not she will do a bone marrow biopsy. seems reporting her was just the kick she needed to do her job.

The JAK2 mutation is common among multiple blood cancers. You need to get a molecular panel and a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy to determine what blood cancer(s) and gene mutations you have.

I was just in the hospital for PE or blood clots in the lungs. they didn't tell me why the blood clots formed but they did tell me that my leg ultrasound was fine and i think my echocardiogram as fine. i personally think i might be my high counts coming back to bite me in the behind. but i won't know that for sure until i see my hematologist again. hopefully this serves as an incentive to look into my thrombocytosis and not just my leukocytosis.

@eoconner are you home now? Did you get the results from the JAK2 test?

yeah i'm home now recovering. the JAK2 was negative as was the calr and mpl the first hematologist did. the hospital kept me 3 days and they told me my WBC was high all during my stay along with my platelets and they wanted to keep me longer but i told them it's been high since january of last year. so they let me go home. i'm on blood thinners and currently bridging from heparin to enoxaparin to warfarin. giving myself shots is weird but it's necessary so i'm glad needles don't bother me. i have bruises all over my hands and arms from how much blood they kept taking every few hours. but i'm hoping to get some answers and not just more questions my next appointment. my parents think i might have an autoimmune disorder but obviously we don't know that for sure.