Mildly enlarged spleen

[Limelight]

So. In the summer whilst sorting out my gallbladder, it was discovered that I have a mildly enlarged spleen - it's 13.2cm to be precise. Bloods were fine and everything else checked out so the doctor said not to worry and to come back for another scan and more bloodwork in six months.

I've been for a scan today and my spleen is still the same size. I'm not really worried about it but at the same time I am.

Am I right in assuming that if my blood tests are fine, that will be it? Or does the fact that it hasn't shrunk mean that there's something wrong? I asked the doctor today if you can just have a big spleen and she said yes.

I shouldn't let this play on my mind but I am. Does anyone have any insight?

Anyone?

No idea.

If the doc says it can be normal what else can you do?

Ask for further investigation?

I'm sure I'm just worrying for no reason. But you know how some doctors manage not quite to commit to anything...

I've got an appointment with a haemotologist and more blood tests coming up and I'm sure that'll settle everything.

mine is always big. Sometimes it hurts when I am sitting up (it's uncomfortable).

I have had glandular fever (when I was far younger - about 20 or so years ago) but it has been a problem ever since then I think.

No-one's ever really looked at why tbh. Doesn't seem to cause any problems but when it is very big I am a bit more careful re strenuous exercise in case I knock it!

when I say no-one's looked at why = other issues were ruled out as I went to the doc with a stomach issue so they looked at a load of things and it wasn't anything obvious (had blood tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy etc. though my spleen has never been scanned). It doesn't seem to cause any obvious problems.

The spleen fights infections,so maybe it's doing that ? I have no spleen btw,had it removed when I was 6 because of haemolytic anaemia -my son also has this so his spleen tip can usually be felt on examination by haemotologist - it seems fine though. Maybe after infection it just stays bigger ? sorry,not very helpful.

All very reassuring!

Since this started in the summer, all of the medical people I've seen have been far less concerned about it than I've been. The spleen thing has shaken me much more than having to have my gallbladder taken out I think largely because of the mystery.

Obviously I have phantom spleen pain today!

I had an enlarged spleen too after having glandular fever. I'd say push the doctors for answers just so you don't have to keep wondering and worrying.

DH had a massive spllen when he was dx with cancer, it wasnt the cancer that caused it but the infections due to the cancer iyswim. It took agggges to go back to normal size, and we have been told it may get slightly bigger if he gets another infection but not to worry unless its linked with the cancer rasing.

So I wouldnt panic too much, its likely linked with gall baldder stuff (that screws up loads of stuff, those bloodly stones).

Thanks everyone! It hadn't even occurred to me that it might be a hangover from gallbladder hell.

Now if I can just get rid of this probably phantom stomach ache I'll be fine (had the same pain when they found out my spleen was enlarged. Disappeared when I felt sufficiently reassured, and low and behold, turned up again 1 week before the follow up scan. Hypochondriac? Me?)

I wouldn't says that. I often get odd stomach aches since having my gall bladder removed.