Tell me some of the non-horrible reasons I might have a raised white blood cell count please

[oneofsuesylvesterscheerios]

I had a load of blood tests as part of a general MOT and I've now got a letter saying they want another test in 4 weeks.

When I rang to ask why the receptionist said there was a 'differential white cell count' and that I need a ESR test. I've booked to chat to my GP in a couple of days to talk about it but now I'm being a bit heebie-jeebie about it all.

I've looked them up and asked the nurse at work about it and she said there are loads of reasons why my white blood cell count might be up.

Like what?

I don't feel ill at all. A bit tired, a bit stressed. (It's coming up to 12 months since my dad died and I'm selling his house at the moment). But I haven't been ill for a while and I do feel fine.

A cold?

Any kind of low level infection raises white blood cells. I had a glandular fever type thingy and mine were raised and they kept ooohing and ahhhhing for months without ever diagnosing me with anything.

Do not google....(too late,I know!!)

White cells are your body's immune response to viruses. Its normal to produce more to fight infections off. Could be as simple as lurgi or more nasty. You can't tell anything without further tests really and very often you never really find out because the cells do their job and you get better.

Infection.

I had a high white blood cell count when ds was 5 months old. The GP wanted to refer me to the hospital to have my bone marrow checked. However I was anaemic, not eating properly and stressed because we were planning to move home. I didn't feel ill in myself but I was weary and anxious.

I convinced the GP to re-test me in a couple of weeks during which time I upped my iron count and made a real effort to eat healthily and rest. She re-tested and I was fine.

So get a re-test done and meanwhile start taking care of yourself

Thank you!
Think it's probably just general stress or something; it's been a hard year.

Yes, google was a mistake.....

Get some frozen iron and add a little to your meals from now on. Drink fruit juice after each meal as Vit C helps absorb the iron.
Have a fruit smoothie for breakfast and some cereal.
Get some vitamin supplements or some tonic.

You will feel exhausted if you aren't eating right and because you are exhausted, you're not eating right. So break the circle and start looking after your health and I guarantee you'll be feeling much better within a week.

They would want you in much sooner than 4 weeks if they were really worried. I had a very long running chest infection with ESR of 64 at one point. Had to have blood tests every week. Try not to worry.