Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 10/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: My two year old has had multiple blood work drawn for his kidney issues and he has consistant elevated readings every time. Our doctor just ignores them, but they concern me due to the consistant pattern.
EOS ranges from 3.0 to 9.0
LYMPHS ranges from 53.0 to 70.0
MONOS range from 5.9 to 11.0
EOSINOPHIL Abs range from .340 to .710
He is currently being treated for low iron. He just always seems to be tired, cranky and just generally not feel well.
thank you for your time.


ANSWER: Hello Penny:

All the above values are part of CBC - complete blood count. These parameters are dynamic and every time the test is done the values will change. as long as they are within the range specified by Lab they are normal.

If he is being treated for low iron you have not mentioned the report for his hemoglobin values and any iron levels measured like serum iron / ferritin etc.

You may consult a hematologist to have a more detailed examination about the low iron and anemai associated with it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer, I do have a follow up question.  The values to the above concerns are not within the range specified by the lab, that is why I am concerned. They are consistantly high. I will list the labs again with their reference ranges.
EOS ranges from 3.0 to 9.0       should be 0-2.0
LYMPHS ranges from 53.0 to 70.0   should be 17.0 to 49.0
MONOS range from 5.9 to 11.0       should be 0 to 3.0
EOSINOPHIL Abs range from .340 to .710   0 to 0.3

I did not mention the hemoglobin or the iron because he is being treated for those lab readings.  These lab readings are being ignored. In case it helps I will tell you the iron is 14-57 it should be 60-160 and his ferritin is 15.
THank you again for your time, I hope you have some insight.  Everything I have found on elevated lymphs on the internet reports back to cancer.
please help me.

Answer
Hello:
Thanks for providing the normal range.

First of all increased lymphocytes do not indicate cancer in all cases.
Second I hope the range provided is age matched and not the one used for adults.

Increase in eosinophils most commonly is due to presence of some allergy. Lymphocytes and monocytes increase in infections especially viral, post vaccination or any chronic disorder

Only if the lymphocytes appearance is abnormal and the counts are very high along with certain other features does one start to suspect cancer.

I still recommend if you are anxious to consult a hematologist. He may do a bone marrow exam if required to rule out other hematological conditions