Blood work

GSD_Mama

do you do your blood work to see if any changes happening? I did mine when I was 2 weeks into Keto. Yesterday I got results back and I'm a bit concerned about my Globulin level being elevated to 4.2, range is 2.3-3.5. I couldn't find anything regarding low carb and globulin increase. I'm thinking it may have been due to drastic change in my diet and not something else, possibly kidneys ? I'm going to see doc about this next week.:(

sljohnson1207

Any new meds like progesterone? I thought I read somewhere that it can cause the globulin level to elevate.

Dragonwolf

Unless you have tests from shortly before you started keto, there's not really any way of knowing whether it increased. For all you know, it could have been even higher before, but the keto is bringing it down and it just hasn't made it into "normal" levels yet.

Also, the standard globulin test tests for all globulins. This means the immune system ones (IgA, IgG, etc) are included in this. If you were recently sick, had a vaccine, have been exposed to something you're allergic to (knowingly or not), or have a food intolerance, then those will elevate this number, too. Without measuring the individual ones, it's again hard to tell.

According to http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/globulins , here are some of the reasons for elevated globulin levels:

Increased total globulin level:
Acute infection.
Chronic inflammatory disease - eg, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Multiple myeloma.
Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.
Hyperimmunisation.
Low albumin level causing increased globulin fraction - cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome.

Make sure to talk to your doctor about running more specific tests, and/or retesting in another couple of weeks, if you weren't sick shortly before the blood draw, and if you don't have some type of chronic inflammatory disorder (this can also include recurring migraines or headaches, just fyi).

To more directly answer your initial question, yes, I get my blood work done periodically. I have PCOS, and do to reasons both in and beyond my control, I've done a number of different changes in an effort to find what works for me. Part of "what works" includes measurements that I can't do on my own -- insulin, lipid panel, hormones, etc. It's usually about every three months when I can have a consistent and productive relationship with a doctor, but recently, it's been more sporadic than that, due to both my GP and my GYN relocating their practices to farther away than I'd care to travel, and me being ultra-picky about my doctors (and not putting up with the crap I've received from more than one).

GSD_Mama

I do blood work once a year, my priors were always good. I don't know what have caused increase in Globulin, everything else on the panel looks normal except that one. I'm now sick to my stomach reading about all these diseases

GSD_Mama

I don't take any meds either.

sljohnson1207

You know, since all your others are fine, it could just be a lab error. Most likely your doctor will want to re-test, and maybe more specifically. Try not to panic. There are sooo many reasons your globulin could be elevated, and it could be very simply that you have a low grade infection/inflammation of some kind. It may just be temporary. Try not to panic.

Dragonwolf

itcphotog wrote: »

I do blood work once a year, my priors were always good. I don't know what have caused increase in Globulin, everything else on the panel looks normal except that one. I'm now sick to my stomach reading about all these diseases

o.O The point of the list was to illustrate the fact that there are about a dozen different reasons for it, not to say "OMG! YOU HAVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE OF THIS ONE NUMBER!!11!!" Like @sljohnson1207‌ said, it could even just be a lab error or a low grade infection that you happened to be fighting off at the time of your blood draw.

Occam's Razor, here -- the simplest answer is the most likely. Most of the more scary-sounding disorders have other symptoms, too (and other bloodwork numbers would be abnormal as well). If you don't have the other symptoms -- and especially if your other results were all normal -- odds are you don't have those other issues.

GrannyMayOz

Hang in there ITC. I wonder if it's possible that there's an error in that reading? Please try not to think the worst! I hope the time doesn't drag too much for you before you can get reassurance. Massive hugs in the meantime!

tru2one

itcphotog wrote: »

I do blood work once a year, my priors were always good. I don't know what have caused increase in Globulin, everything else on the panel looks normal except that one. I'm now sick to my stomach reading about all these diseases

Danger, Will Robinson! Catastrophizing and the anxiety it produces will raise cortisol levels and negatively impact your attempts at weight loss. Talk yourself out of that tree you're in right now. From what you've said, there is absolutely nothing else that would point to anything tragic and scary. See the doctor to discuss and find out if there is enough concern to retest. Deep breaths, calm down, and get all the facts before you let your imagination take over. <--said with the greatest compassion and caring. :-)

GSD_Mama

Thanks guys, i try not to think about any of this. I'll get over it by this evening i'm sure.