im having some very strange labs test results. Like b12 2000 abs myelocytes 459 homocystine 311 abs baso very high 918 my hiv and hepatitis test were negative so now what ? I’ve never had test like this.I don’t know if I have blood cancer or not but from what I’m learning is this can be serious so now what happens I welcome any experience with this.
Hi @BethB99
Now that we can look at our results, it can often set alarm bells ringing before we have a chance to talk to our doctor. Can I ask, when will you have the opportunity to discuss these.
I can’t comment on your results or what that might mean. That is as medical question for your team. However, I have copied in the @BloodCancerUK_Nurses who may be able to help.
Nichola
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@BethB99 Welcome to the group.
Try to put it to one side until you can see a doctor. Speaking for myself, I’ve got used to having strange test results. Figures that would have worried me in the past don’t bother me now. For example I had a very high reading for something relating to my liver. Turns out it was caused by a bad cold - I would never have thought a bad cold would affect the liver! It wasn’t even 'flu. The readings returned to normal very quickly.
My other piece of advice is to avoid looking the readings up on the internet, or at least stick to reputable sources. There is a lot of poor quality information out there which may well produce unnecessary worry.
Glad to read that the HIV and hepatitis results were negative. Perhaps celebrate that little gem!
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@BethB99 Hello and welcome–I am from the US and have been coming here since the Fall of 2025 when I was diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia (Essential thrombocythemia ('ET')). This is a very welcoming group and I have not found any place like it on the web.
I am 71 years old and have always been pretty healthy, have had plenty of lab tests through the years–but this journey has been completely different. I was referred to a Hematologist after my primary care doctor noted that my platelets had been rising. No symptoms. On my first visit to the Hematologist, I received blood testing like never before–DOZENS of tests, done within 15 minutes of the blood draw. It is bewildering–I am a professor and do research for a living, but this was almost impossible to comprehend. They repeat these tests about every month on my visits. For me it was pointless to try to understand all of the weird blood tests including many with elevations. My strategy has been to put my trust in my very smart doctors–and that has worked well. In my case, the Hematologist (who does this every day) immediately assessed that I was likely to have a rare acquired genetic mutation (JAK2) that leads to elevations in platelets–further blood testing and a bone marrow biopsy confirmed that.
Some of the elevations on blood tests have been things the docs gave me medicine for and they immediately improved (high platelet levels). Sometimes on my journey the docs have experimented with getting the right doses to get the platelets in the ideal range–but they are very smart and experienced. For example for one medication that lowers platelets (Hydroxyurea) they started me at 2 per day, then 3 per day (2 AM, 1 PM), then 3 per day 3 days a week, and 2 per day 4 times per week. The point is, they are clever about getting these things just right because it is what they do.
Other elevations that seemed alarming, like on liver function tests, turned out not to really indicate liver damage (my smart primary care doc helped me with that). For me it is very important both to have a very capable Hematologist but also a smart primary care doc who can help me understand the big picture.
In my case, Essential thrombocythemia ('ET') is technically a “blood cancer” but with good control many patients live full lives. I don’t tell anyone but my wife that I have a blood cancer, I just say I have a blood disorder that makes me fatigued at time. I get some red spots on my arms (purpura) that don’t cause any pain, they look odd but nobody really notices! Telling my co-workers something but not too much has helped them (I still work full time) understand if I work at home some days, and to help me schedule classes so that my days are not too long.
Hang in there–these blood cancers are quite diverse and have very different symptoms and prognosis. In my case, the only real effect is fatigue (not terrible but I can’t work my previous 10 hour days), but I have learned to pace myself and still do everything I want to do. I just finished cleaning my pool (I live in Florida) and my wife and I will take a swim later. My granddaughter just turned 15 and I am teaching her to drive. My life is beautiful and this blood disorder is just one part of it.
Best wishes,
Bill
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Dear @BethB99
Welcome to the forum and I can see already you have received some supportive responses from our wonderful community.
Whilst I cannot interpret your blood results for you I would encourage you to contact whoever requested the blood tests to assess the results for you. I assume you had some symptoms that led you to have some bloods taken?
Are you taking any supplements like Vitamin B12? Are you unwell at the moment? These are all considerations if you have abnormal blood tests.
I would always refer back to why the tests are taken and speak directly to whoever requested the tests as they will have the most reliable information to share with you.
Here is some information around Blood tests - NHS that I hope will help.
Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK are here if you should need to talk further.
Best wishes
Gemma
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