High white blood cells and bilirubin

lola123345 · 2023-07-18T15:27:41+00:00

I've been having heart palpitations and chest pain, had full blood test and ECG done I've been booked a phone appointment with doc to discuss blood test and asked to book another one. Phone appointment is said to be to discuss the fact I have low iron. But when at the nurses today I saw my blood tests - I have some medical training and could see flags next to white blood cell count = 11.4 and a flag next to liver function, with flag next to bilirubin levels Nurse wouldn't discuss - im totally freaked out! Any advice ?

24Dogcuddler · 18/07/2023 23:36

Bilirubin levels linked to Gilberts Syndrome.
My husband is diagnosed with this.
Hope all goes ok.

Wildspace · 19/07/2023 06:11

Try not to get freaked out (easier said than done I know). Heart palpitations can feel worse due to Anemia. But they will certainly want to get to the bottom of it. How have you been feeling recently?

Original poster

lola123345 · 19/07/2023 06:37

Wildspace · 19/07/2023 06:11

Try not to get freaked out (easier said than done I know). Heart palpitations can feel worse due to Anemia. But they will certainly want to get to the bottom of it. How have you been feeling recently?

I've had the heart palpitations for a while, but everything got worse in the last month - I put it down to vaping really heavily and stressing about trying to quit. I've now quit completely but they continue, although less bad. I've also had ringing in my ears for two weeks straight and chest pains but they've eased a lot since I quit the vape!

I'm generally fit, I only vaped for a year and a bit due to stupidly picking it up when going through divorce - a year an a half ago I was running 10k twice a week.

But I'm terrified. I have a feeling something is wrong - I've had pains under my arm for a while, a private doctor looked at that by sending me for an ultrasound and saw nothing.

I've been anemic before, and I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety which I realise must be making this all worse!

I called docs in tears yesterday after I saw some results on the screen - asked if I could have the appointment to discuss blood work earlier as im so anxieties. They said no, but they reassured me my appointment is marked as "routine" not "urgent" so they think unlikely it's serious news.

Thanks so much for replying by the way!

OP posts:

Nursemumma92 · 19/07/2023 11:06

Try not to freak out, 11 is considered the 'top end of normal' and yours is 11.4 so could just be that your normal is slightly higher than the normal range- there has to be a cut off point somewhere. Could be the same with the bilirubin levels also. The nurses won't discuss as they generally aren't qualified to interpret blood results- even when they often know what they could indicate. It would be inappropriate and working outside their scope of practice unless they are a nurse practitioner or have undertaken additional training.

Have you had any signs of infection that could cause raised white cells? You say pains under your arm, is the on your right side by any chance? Could be gall bladder related, although I see you've been having palpitations also.

Hopefully your phone appointment comes around quickly, but try to not to worry too much. I appreciate this is hard to do though, but unlikely to be a serious problem.

Wildspace · 19/07/2023 12:52

The worst time is the waiting for results with the uncertainty that brings with it. In the meantime try and get some decent sleep, eat well and have a think whether there is anything practical you can distract yourself with? When you were anemic before did you make any changes to improve?

Original poster

lola123345 · 19/07/2023 12:55

Wildspace · 19/07/2023 12:52

The worst time is the waiting for results with the uncertainty that brings with it. In the meantime try and get some decent sleep, eat well and have a think whether there is anything practical you can distract yourself with? When you were anemic before did you make any changes to improve?

Thank you,

Yep I'm trying to keep busy, last night palpitations came back pretty bad which I think makes me realise stress is also playing a big role here.

I've been anemic on and off and have sorted that with iron tablets and better eating so will focus on that.

Thank you! Hopefully some more answers tomorrow 🙏🏻

OP posts:

Original poster

lola123345 · 19/07/2023 12:59

Nursemumma92 · 19/07/2023 11:06

Try not to freak out, 11 is considered the 'top end of normal' and yours is 11.4 so could just be that your normal is slightly higher than the normal range- there has to be a cut off point somewhere. Could be the same with the bilirubin levels also. The nurses won't discuss as they generally aren't qualified to interpret blood results- even when they often know what they could indicate. It would be inappropriate and working outside their scope of practice unless they are a nurse practitioner or have undertaken additional training.

Have you had any signs of infection that could cause raised white cells? You say pains under your arm, is the on your right side by any chance? Could be gall bladder related, although I see you've been having palpitations also.

Hopefully your phone appointment comes around quickly, but try to not to worry too much. I appreciate this is hard to do though, but unlikely to be a serious problem.

Thank you.

Only signs of infection would be that me and the kids had a cough cold thing going on a couple of months ago, but nothing serious.

I think I put my body through a lot of stress last month by working crazy hours, vaping heavily and drinking a lot of caffeine - at one point my heart was racing so much I drove to A&E and at that point quit the vape cold turkey and caffeine - withdrawal from both has been awful and probably more stress.

I just can't understand why ear is ringing right side, pain under right arm - my anxious mind is convinced I've got a tumour somewhere applying pressure!

Health worries and anxiety combined is awful! Especially when you have tiny kids to take care of :(

Thank you so much for your reply x

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LuluBlakey1 · 19/07/2023 12:59

I had this when I had gallstones. They were small and got trapped in the tube to my pancreas eventually causing pancreatitis. Had gall bladder removed, blood problems and pains disappeared.

Original poster

lola123345 · 19/07/2023 13:00

LuluBlakey1 · 19/07/2023 12:59

I had this when I had gallstones. They were small and got trapped in the tube to my pancreas eventually causing pancreatitis. Had gall bladder removed, blood problems and pains disappeared.

No way, pains under your arm? What other symptoms did you have?

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LuluBlakey1 · 19/07/2023 13:12

The pain went across right the top of my abdomen and under my arms. It was intermittent at first. High white blood cells, bilrubin levels raised and there was something else. When it really took off the pain was terrible, worse than giving birth.
I was in hospital over a week in agony until they got under control.Took 2 months before the levels returned to a point where they could operate and remove my gallbladder.I was absolutely exhausted by it until then.

Original poster

lola123345 · 19/07/2023 13:15

LuluBlakey1 · 19/07/2023 13:12

The pain went across right the top of my abdomen and under my arms. It was intermittent at first. High white blood cells, bilrubin levels raised and there was something else. When it really took off the pain was terrible, worse than giving birth.
I was in hospital over a week in agony until they got under control.Took 2 months before the levels returned to a point where they could operate and remove my gallbladder.I was absolutely exhausted by it until then.

Gosh that sounds awful, you poor thing! Hope you are recovered now 🤞🏼thank you for sharing

I don't have any tummy pain, but pain under arms mostly on right comes and goes. I was seeing a private doc for something else and when I mentioned it he felt my glands and all were fine, and did ultrasound of my armpit and that was fine.

Be interesting to see what docs says tomorrow 🙏🏻

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LuluBlakey1 · 19/07/2023 19:40

Your gall bladder is on the right and the pain can show high up 9n your back under shoulder blades- but it was the blood test tesults that made me think gall-stones/gall-bladder. Could be an infection or gall-stones. Anyway, good-luck.