Is it a wound that started as a bug bite and then got itchy?

Real People Stories -Peter

I have had a Low Lymphocyte count for many years (and it has been gradually reducing): help, please. However, I have a Full, Complete Blood Count Test done each year for general CBC health. I am a 47-year-old male, otherwise fit and healthy. However, I take much longer to recover from colds than other family members (possibly due to my low lymphocyte count below).

My CBC Full Blood tests over the years (since 2014) have shown the following Lymphocyte count (reference range 1.0 – 4.0):

• 2014 1.74
• 2015 1.54
• 2016 1.89
• 2017 1.24
• 2020 1.22
• 2021 1.27
• 2022 1.35
• 2023 1.25
• 2024 1.14

My WCC has also been on the low end of the reference range for these 10 years (3.8 now, and the range is 3.5 to 10). And my RCC is also low (4.5, with a reference range of 4.5 to 6.5).

My doctor/GP does not seem to be too concerned. My questions are:

• Should I be concerned over this gradual drop over 10 years (high of 1.74 down to current of 1.14), even though technically I fall into the extremely low end of the reference range?
• Is there anything I can do anything naturally to improve the lymphocyte count?

Claire

Abnormal Full CBC and electrolytes test results, as well as other persistent symptoms

Symptoms Overview

• Low MCH
• Recent urinalysis showed high protein in urine
• Persistent night sweats
• Urinary incontinence
• Discomfort in both underarms
• Swollen portion of right forearm
• Extreme fatigue
• Occasional pain in breasts or nipples
• Cramping and numbness in hands during routine activities

Hi all. I’m 26, female. Over the past week, I’ve noticed an increasingly swollen portion of my right forearm/wrist. Is it a swollen lymph node, maybe?

It’s hard and a bit warm, but not painful.

On the top of the same arm, close to my wrist, is a wound that started as a bug bite and then got itchy. It also could have just been a bump that got itchy. I don’t remember. Anyway, it’s an abscess that has opened up, and my results are not good.

Recent Medical Visits

I went to a walk-in doctor who referred me for an X-ray and Ultrasound. Then, I went to the clinic because I felt like something was odd or didn’t feel right. They ran my creatinine, glucose, urea, and electrolytes. I requested an X-ray or ultrasound of my wrist or forearm, but they refused.

All values came back normal except the Electrolytes

My MCH are both low

My MCH is 25.6 (normal range is listed as 28-34.4)

I also had a urinalysis done a couple of weeks ago that showed high protein in my urine.

Albumin/Creatinine for my urine sample was 5.4 (normal range listed as 3.0 or lower)

Additionally, I recently had a mole removed from my back (I’m waiting on the biopsy results) and had 2 other moles biopsied a couple of years ago. Both tested as normal. One mole regrew sometime this year.

Additional Symptoms

My other symptoms include:

• persistent night sweats
• urinary incontinence
• discomfort in both underarms
• swollen portion of the right forearm
• extreme fatigue
• occasional pain in breasts or nipples
• cramping and numbness in hands during routine activities

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Elle

I (23F) was diagnosed when I was 14

Hi! I wanted to join this subreddit and introduce myself so I don’t feel alone with this diagnosis.

How I got diagnosed

 I was 14; at a PCP visit for anxiety, she decided to do a CBC bloodwork test on me because I was looking rather pale. My iron levels returned normal, but my ferritin returned at ~800. They thought it was an error and did bloodwork again, back at ~800. My anaemia doctor was super puzzled, so she referred me to a Hematologist, where I got a genetic check done. I cannot find the original diagnosis form, but my latest visit Anaemia report said I have “Hereditary Hemochromatosis, Compound Heterozygote (H63D/C283Y)” It said that I do not have any additional mutations, like “HFE2 (HJV), TFR2, and SLC40A1.)” I have no idea what any of these mean to be honest lol. Feel free to educate me.

About Me

 I have no Anaemia symptoms other than mild fatigue or joint pain.. but those could also be associated with me overworking/getting burnout from work. And I have very light periods. I get normal exercise (mostly cardio and yoga.) And I avoid red meat. I only eat meats like chicken or turkey (not a big meat eater.) I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in Sep. 2023. I’ve been on medication for it, and I feel fine. I also have chronic migraines; I’ve had them since I was 5/6 years old.

My Latest Results: (taken June 5th, 2024, except MRI.)

• MRI: Normal, no signs of iron buildup or organ damage. (scanned Nov. 2023)
• HEPATIC FUNCTION PANEL: All normal
• CBC PANEL: All normal, except MCV & MCH were low, and RDW was high.
• FERRITIN: Very High (1,675 ng/ml)
• IRON: Low (20 ug/dl)
• TRANSFERRIN: High (431 mg/dl)
• TBIC: High (634 ug/dl)
• TRANSFERRIN SATURATION: Low (3%)

Treatment Plan

 My current haematologist only talks to me on the phone; he tells me not to lose sleep over things and that I am fine. (I’ve always been a bit of a hypochondriac.) His main concern is getting my ferritin down. I visit the lab to do bloodwork every few months. I am told to donate blood as often as possible. Unfortunately, the centre sometimes turns me down because my BP or iron/haemoglobin is too low. I have terrible anxiety about donating blood because I have the irrational fear of passing out in front of everyone after I donate. My Hematologist tells me that if I get turned down, I should wait a week and try again.

My concerns

 I’ve always worried about my high ferritin. Especially since my CBC test, my iron is always either low or normal; my Sedimentation Rate was only checked once in 2021, which came back at 21 mm/h, whereas normal is 0-20 mm/h. (Which means I have little to no inflammation.) I’ve had a comprehensive Anaemia metabolic panel, and the report also returned normal. I find it odd that I am occasionally too anaemic to donate, but how can I get my iron up without making my ferritin go up, too? So frustrating.