Question 1

is it true that a white blood cell count can show you have brain swelling?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Patients with a concussion or cerebral edema can often have an elevated white count but an elevated white count alone is not specific evidence of brain edema.

Question 2

can a white blood cell count tell if a person has brain swelling or neurological symptoms?

Accepted Answer

No: It may serve as one piece of the puzzle.

Question 3

my white blood cell count was 6.25... is this normal or low? is it okay to take prednisone for poison ivy with this wbc count?

Accepted Answer

You're fine: Normal WBC. I trust lymphocyte and neutrophil counts were fine also. Take the prenisone for the poison ivy only if it's so bad you can't sleep otherwise. We're glad to help.

Question 4

what could make a white blood cell count low? mine was 3.4k/ul. im a 25 year old female. i do have hashimotos. very worried it could be something serious. can you ease my mind?

Accepted Answer

: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, has your count changed? If it has been stable it could be your normal.
Wish you good health!

Question 5

is it possible for white blood cell count to not show signs of infection?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There does not have to be a clear change in WBC with an infection.

Question 6

hi docs, will your white blood cell count not show signs of infection?

Accepted Answer

It may or may not: There are a variety of different types of infection. The white count (total, and counts of individual types) may or may not become high or low in response to particular infections. The whole business is enormously complicated, and labs are only one piece of information used in arriving at diagnosis.

Question 7

im having extreme pain in my lower and middle spine, kidney tenderness, low grade fever and a white blood cell count of 18,000 raising by the day. mri shows negative. pain gets worse by the day?

Accepted Answer

Go top the ER: You may have an infection in the kidney (pyelonephritis) which can be very dangerous. The high WBC count with fever and flank pain point to that illness. IV antibiotics will be needed if the problem is confirmed. Go the emergency room for evaluation.

Question 8

is it true that a low white blood cell count be a sign of cancer?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: While other diseases can cause low white blood cell counts, the possibility of cancer in the bone marrow is always raised when this is seen.  Cancer cells can replace the normal cells of the bone marrow.  The normal cells produce mature circulating blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets).  If they are compromised, so are their products.

Question 9

what does it mean if my recent blood test results show that i have a high platelet and white blood cell count?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: This can be one of several things. If you are otherwise completely healthy, it may indicate a bone marrow disease called polycythemia vera. If you have medical conditions or are on certain medications, it can indicate inflammation or infection. Please see your doctor or a hematologist to help sort this out.

Question 10

how long can someone have a uti and not know it? also would it show up on their bloodwork as having a high white blood cell count if they had it for 6 months?

Accepted Answer

: Subclinical cystitis or asymptomatic cystitis or chronic cystitis or asymptomatic bacteriuria rarely causes leukocytosis (high white cell count). Other causes of leukocytosis should be in the differential diagnosis. Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

Is it true that a white blood cell count can show you have brain swelling

A member asked:

Is it true that a white blood cell count can show you have brain swelling?

A member asked:

Can a white blood cell count tell if a person has brain swelling or neurological symptoms?

A member asked:

My white blood cell count was 6.25... is this normal or low? is it okay to take prednisone for poison ivy with this wbc count?

A member asked:

What could make a white blood cell count low? mine was 3.4k/ul. im a 25 year old female. i do have hashimotos. very worried it could be something serious. can you ease my mind?

A member asked:

Is it possible for white blood cell count to not show signs of infection?

A member asked:

Hi docs, will your white blood cell count not show signs of infection?

A member asked:

Im having extreme pain in my lower and middle spine, kidney tenderness, low grade fever and a white blood cell count of 18,000 raising by the day. mri shows negative. pain gets worse by the day?

A member asked:

Is it true that a low white blood cell count be a sign of cancer?

A member asked:

What does it mean if my recent blood test results show that i have a high platelet and white blood cell count?

A member asked:

How long can someone have a uti and not know it? also would it show up on their bloodwork as having a high white blood cell count if they had it for 6 months?

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