Ramanisblog

Tag: Hemoglobin

  • Cancer Blood Parameters To look For Details

    Malignancy or Cancer is hard to detect.

    However there are signs that show up which might indicate Cancer,

    These symptoms need not indicate the presence of cancer,; they might indicate some other Disese as well.

    Please remember, the conclusion that the symptoms and tests are arrived at by the reverse Logic, which is not admissible strictly in Logic and Reasoning.

    That is it is not that these indicators and the results  are the causes of Cancer.

    Cervicl Cancer Test

    More than 99 per cent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus Photo: ALAMY.Image Credit. Telegraph.co UK.

    Most of the Cancer patients, at least those who have been surveyed, have all or some of these symptoms .

    Some may not have these symptoms at all and some symtoms not known to us may be present.

    That’s all.

    Then why take these Tests and these symptoms seriously?

    These are in the nature of abundant precaution.

    That is very important.

    The Doctors/Oncologists , with their experience can detect if it is indicative of malignancy and treat you accordingly.

    Sad that some use this to make money by instilling fear in the patient.

    Now to the Tests for early detection.

    Again I emphasize  two facts.

    1.The parameters of the Test are not uniform.

    They vary.

    For example , the parameters for Alkaline Phosphate Level varies from Lab to Lab.

    ”

    The normal range is 44 to 147 IU/L (international units per liter).

    Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. They also can vary with age and gender. High levels of ALP are normally seen in children undergoing growth spurts and in pregnant women.

    The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

    Labs parameters say 44-120!”

    So when one gets a reading at 149 he is scared.

    Under these circumstances it is best to consult a Liver specialist and an Oncologist and have second opinions on both.

    2.The results in the Tests may be due to some other normal activity or the side effect of a prescribed Drug intake.

    In the case of Alkaline Phosphate, the elevated reading might be due to the intake some medicines or due to excessive Exercise which increases the Alkaline Phosphate Level.

    So do not jump to conclusions and take the advice of Doctors and get a second opinion before drugging yourself.

    For the benefit of laymen like me, I am posting some tests needed to detect cancer.

    Remember I am no Doctor or a specialist; the post is to familiarities the Patient and those close to him so that they do not become unduly worried or to prevent some nonprofessionals from milking you.

    ”

    A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that is used to help diagnose some blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, tell if a cancer has spread to the bone marrow, and help determine how your body is tolerating cancer treatments. If you are being treated with chemotherapy, your doctor will likely monitor your blood cell counts regularly using CBCs.

    A CBC provides important information about the amount of three types of cells in your blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each of these measurements has a normal range that will be noted on your CBC. Typical test values are given as a range (called a reference range) instead of a specific number because they vary from person to person.

    White blood cell (WBC) count. A white blood cell count, also called a leukocyte count, measures the number of WBCs in a sample of blood. WBCs protect the body from infection by attacking invading bacteria, viruses, and other foreign materials in the body. Some WBCs can also attack cancer cells. A normal range for a WBC count is 3,300 to 8,700 WBCs per microliter (mcL).

    White blood cell (WBC) differential. A WBC differential is a test that measures the number of each type of WBC. There are five major types of WBCs: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body and helping you stay healthy. People with some types of cancer may have higher-than-normal numbers of lymphocytes or monocytes.

    Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, may cause a decrease in your body’s WBCs. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can cause a decrease in the WBC count. These cancers and cancer treatments may cause a condition called neutropenia, an abnormally low level of neutrophils. Neutrophils are measured by a number called the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). A normal ANC range is 2,500 to 6,000 neutrophils.

    A noticeable decrease in the number of neutrophils increases the chances of developing a bacterial infection. At times, your doctor may choose to lower the dose of chemotherapy you receive to decrease your chance of developing low neutrophil counts. Your doctor may also recommend medication, such as white blood cell growth factors, to increase your body’s production of neutrophils, especially if you develop a fever. Learn more about ASCO’s recommendations for white blood cell growth factors.

    Red blood cell (RBC) count. RBCs carry oxygen throughout your body, and the number of RBCs can be described in a few different ways. An RBC count, also called an erythrocyte count, measures the number of RBCs in a sample of blood. A normal range for an RBC count is approximately 4 to 6 million RBCs per mcL. The hematocrit is the percentage of your blood that is made up of RBCs. A normal hematocrit range is 38% to 48%. The hemoglobin (HgB) level measures the amount of the protein in RBCs that actually carries the oxygen. If the level of hemoglobin is low, your body works much harder to deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body. A normal HgB range is 12.6 to 16.1 grams per deciliter.

    Some cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may cause a decrease in your body’s RBCs. This condition is known as anemia. Blood loss, either from surgery or from specific cancers, can also cause or worsen anemia. Cancers that directly involve the bone marrow, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can also interfere with the production of RBCs and cause anemia. People whose RBC count falls too low may need a blood transfusion or medication to help increase the body’s RBCs.

    Platelet count. A platelet count measures the number of platelets in a sample of blood. Platelets help to stop bleeding by forming blood clots. A normal range for a platelet count is approximately 150,000 to 350,000 platelets per mcL.

    Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may cause a decrease in platelets, which may result in a condition called thrombocytopenia. Cancers that involve the bone marrow directly, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, can also cause a decrease in the production of platelets. Patients with low platelet levels have a greater risk of serious bleeding or bruising. If your platelet count falls to very low levels, your doctor may give you platelet transfusions.

    What the results mean

    Blood test results must be interpreted carefully by your doctor and other members of your health care team. Keep in mind that many factors, including noncancerous conditions, can lead to results that fall out of the reference range. In addition, neutrophil and platelet counts have to fall to very low levels before infections and bleeding become major risks. Ask your doctor to help you be”

    The links below are useful for Procedures and Tests.

    http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/reports-and-results/blood-test-results

    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003470.htm

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-diagnosis/art-20046459

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  • A Journey to and through a Tumor.

    It was on the 30th of October 2011, my daughter called me up to read a Report of Blood Test carried out on my son-in-law who is 32 years old.

    The report had ESR( Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate) at 145 Hemoglobin at 9.(ESR maximum 20,Haemoglobin around 14-15)

    ‘The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also called a sedimentation rate or Biernacki Reaction, is the rate at which red blood cells sediment in a period of 1 hour. It is a common hematology test that is a non-specific measure of inflammation. To perform the test, anticoagulated blood is placed in an upright tube, known as a Westergren tube, and the rate at which the red blood cells fall is measured and reported in mm/h.

    Age 20 55 90
    Men 12 20 19
    Women 18 21 23

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrocyte_sedimentation_rate

    Hemoglobin concentration measurement is among the most commonly performed blood tests, usually as part of a complete blood count. For example it is typically tested before or after blood donation. Results are reported in g/L, g/dL or mol/L. 1 g/dL equals about 0.6206  mmol/L.[56] Normal levels are:

    • Men: 13.8 to 18.0 g/dL (138 to 182 g/L, or 8.56 to 11.3 mmol/L)
    • Women: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL (121 to 151 g/L, or 7.51 to 9.37 mmol/L)
    • Children: 11 to 16 g/dL (111 to 160 g/L, or 6.83 to 9.93 mmol/L)
    • Pregnant women: 11 to 12 g/dL (110 to 120 g/L, or 6.83 to 7.45 mmol/L)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemoglobin#Diagnostic_uses

    I had asked my daughter to have the tests redone at another Lab.

    She had done so and informed me that Haemoglobin was at 9.6 and ESR  at 98.

    All these tests were taken because we noticed that my son-in-law was losing weight for about 3 weeks and on my advice to have it see a doctor and have his Blood tested, he was reluctant to do so saying that I read a lot and get worried over nothing and that he was on Diet to reduce his weight.

    He was also getting tired very often, had a persistent light cough and light temperature was noticed.

    I stay in a different city,Chennai and my daughter,son-in-law and my grand son(2 years old) paid a visit to us and on her returning to Bangalore i advised her sternly to meet an experienced ,preferably elderly for consultations and avoid surgeons and Multi speciality Hospitals at this stage.

    The Doctor recommended the above tests.

    As these parameters indicated some serious ailment,ESR High reading indicates inflammation somewhere in the Body and coupled with Low Hemoglobin count it is really a cause for concern, I discussed the case with a leading doctor in Chennai who is a good friend of mine.

    These indicators indicated some thing serious , possibly in the Renal area(kidney).

    I left for Bangalore on 31.

    On the advice of the doctor we had an Ultra sound of the Thoracic region and the Abdomen.

    In the mean while we had done a Mantoux  Test to eliminate TB.(the symptoms exhibited in this case apply roughly to about 80 diseases)

    It had a reading of 10, bordering on confirming TB.

    In the meanwhile Ultra sound report came in.

    It found a Lesion of about 10cms, nestling in the gap between the Pancreas, Spleen and the Kidney.

    It was pressing down the Kidney and seemed to be pressing the Spleen and the Pancreas.

    As this is on the Kidney, we were referred to a Renal Specialist who had advised us to meet a Renal Surgeon.

    We met him.

    His flippant attitude made us think about having the surgery done by him and we decided to move to a Multi-Specialty Hospital,The Manipal Hospital,Bangalore as the tumor is big  and in a critical area we decided to have the Surgery done by an Oncologist as surgery by an Oncologist will facilitate easy treatment without complications if the  tumor were to turn out to be malignant.

    We met, by mistake ,a Clinical Oncologist in Lymphoma who immediately decided that the the Tumor was Lymphoma and scared the wits out of us.

    We immediately corrected ourselves and met a Surgical oncologist who told us that the lesion has to be removed by Open Surgery and as the mass was huge Laproscopy was ruled out.

    He also wanted us to have a LFT(liver function test) done.

    We also on the advice of our relative who is a Doctor, had done EMA test-to know whether the Lesion/Tumor is secreting hormones.

    LFT indicated slight mal function of the Liver and EMA indicated non secreting tumor.

    Taking all these facts into consideration the Surgeon took a decision to surgically remove the Tumor which now has been christened as non secreting Adrenalin Tumor.

    These Tumors of this size tend to be malignant and as such the Doctor informed us that he shall treat it as such until proved otherwise by a Biopsy.

    Adrenalin  Tumors ,I am informed, do not respond to Chemotherapy and radiation is the only option after Surgery.

    We also had done a Biopsy of the Liver which turned negative for Cancer.

    The Operation date was set on 19th November.

    Imagine the pressure on a 28-year-old girl,my daughter,and me who is very much attached to my son-in-law,son and daughter and they to me.

    I could not express my anguish lest the children may lose heart,though they know the essentials of the case .

    But I had the deep conviction that Goddess Abirami will not let me down and left every thing to her.

    The Surgery was conducted on the scheduled day and a tumor weighing 375 gm were removed from my son in law’s abdomen.

    It has been found to be harmless and not cancer.

    It is found out to be Phe0crom Cytoma.

    A pheochromocytoma or phaeochromocytoma (PCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands (originating in the chromaffin cells), or extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue that failed to involute after birth [1] and secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines, usually noradrenaline(norepinephrine), and adrenaline (epinephrine) to a lesser extent.[2] Extra-adrenal paragangliomas (often described as extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas) are closely related, though less common, tumors that originate in the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system and are named based upon the primary anatomical site of origin.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheochromocytoma

    A tumor in the abdominal region.
    Pheocromocytoma.

    My son-in-law is discharged and he is well.

    I have learnt the following lessons from this incident..

    Life is Fragile.

    People are important for people have been offering good will and help ,especially medically and people are essentially good at heart by nature.

    When you face difficulties of grave nature you draw reserves from within you which you never knew you ever had.

    Medicine, with all its Technology is final analysis depends on the Human(Doctor) and his instinct.

    This blog is intended to inform people

    -never take the symptoms lightly, we have been able to be successful because we did not take symptoms lightly.

    -have faith in your Doctor.

    -discuss the case  with the Doctor rationally .

    -have the appropriate tests done .

    -select the best multi speciality hospital.

    -do not bother about minor administrative problems in the Hospital, what matters most is good medical attention and cure.

    Never, ever give up.

    He is up there.