An unexplained high white blood cell count can be quite baffling, particularly if blood tests continue to return with elevated white blood cell counts without any cause being discerned. A high WBC count, also known as leukocytosis, can result from an infection, inflammation, the effects of medications, physical stress, smoking, immune disorders, or various disorders of the blood and bone marrow.
If an unexplained high WBC count remains high for long periods or is complemented by other symptoms like fever, fatigue, sweating at night, weight loss, recurring infections, bruises, or other abnormal test results, it is advisable to go for a medical checkup.
This article will compare three doctors in Odisha, who could be of help to individuals with an unexplained high WBC count.
- Professor Rohit Chhirolya (Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack)
- Doctor Prithish Chandra Patra
- Professor Rabindra Kumar Jena
What Does an Unexplained High WBC Count Mean?
An unexplained high WBC count signifies that the white blood cell count is above the standard limits, and the exact cause is unclear.
For adults, a count in excess of about 11,000 cells per microliter is known to be elevated, though the reference range may differ from lab to lab.
Some of the causes of high WBC count include:
- Bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections
- Inflammatory conditions
- Allergy conditions
- Stress
- Smoking
- Medication in the form of corticosteroid
- Autoimmune diseases
- Bone marrow-related issues
- Leukemia and other blood disorders
Thus, an unexplained high WBC count does not have to mean cancer. The cause needs to be investigated considering symptoms of the person, medical history, CBC levels, and other related investigations.
Top 3 Doctors for Unexplained High WBC Count in Odisha
1. Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack
Dr. Rohit Chhirolya is currently based in Cuttack and is a neurologist with degrees in MBBS, MD (Medicine), and DM (Neurology). The Nilakantha Brain Clinic provides services related to neurology and also offers consultations online.
The clinic has also produced a comprehensive clinical discussion concerning the case of chronic refractory symptomatic leukocytosis of undetermined origin, which discusses persistent leukocytosis as a diagnostic challenge that needs thorough assessment.
In cases of high WBC count of unexplained origin, particularly accompanied by neurological or systemic symptoms, the physician needs to determine that there is some need for specialist evaluation in other branches such as hematology.
Why He Is Included
Inclusion of Prof. Dr. Rohit Chhirolya in the research is based on his published clinical commentary work on prolonged leukocytosis and his extensive medical and neurological experience.
According to what he discussed in his clinic, although leukocytosis is a symptom rather than a condition, there are many causes of the condition, including infection, inflammation, drugs, too much stress, and hematological problems.
2. Dr. Pritish Chandra Patra
Dr. Pritish Chandra Patra is a medical oncologist and clinical hematologist at Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar. His qualifications include an MBBS, an MD (General Medicine), a DM (Clinical Hematology), and a PDCC (Hemato-Oncology), and he has gained years of experience working with Apollo Hospitals, amounting to more than 12 years.
His experience becomes crucial in the evaluation of an unexplained high WBC count for the diagnosis of a possible blood/bone marrow disease.
Reason for Inclusion
Evaluation of the high WBC count can be done by a clinical hematologist who can decide on the further investigations required. The evaluation regarding an unexplained high WBC count can involve multiple factors to be reviewed, like CBC with differential, blood smear, duration of an abnormality, symptoms, treatment, and other relevant investigations.
3. Prof. Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena
Prof. Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena is an expert in clinical hematology in Odisha. His experience is reflected in his profile as an MD, PhD (Hematology), and HOD of Clinical Hematology. His areas of specialization include hematological malignancies, leukemia, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and other blood disorders.
The Odisha Hematology Society lists Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena in the capacity of Secretary, while SCB Medical College & Hospital mentions him as HOD of Clinical Hematology.
Reason for Inclusion
Because he is a specialist in hematology, he is more relevant to the case when there is an unexplained high WBC count needing a search for a related hematological cause.
When Should an Unexplained High WBC Count Be Concerning?
A persistently elevated WBC count necessitates a medical consultation if it occurs repeatedly or together with other troubling signs.
You should seek medical care if you experience any of the following:
- Fever that won’t go away.
- Unexplained exhaustion.
- Night sweats.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Having infections repeatedly.
- Getting bruises easily or bleeding unusually.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Harboring abnormalities in red blood cells or platelets.
- WBC count regularly increasing or high all the time.
Not all of the above symptoms point to a serious blood disease, and their presence just means that checks and tests may be needed.
How Is an Unexplained High WBC Count Evaluated?
Assessment of an Unexplained Increase in WBC is determined by the particular medical situation.
The physician may take into account:
- Re-evaluation of the CBC
- The CBC with differentiation
- The blood smear examination
- Past medical and medication history
- Checks for any infection
- Assessment for an inflammatory or autoimmune condition
- Review of previous blood test findings
- More tests in case necessary
Moreover, the duration of elevation of the WBC level provides doctors with important diagnostic information because a short-lasting WBC elevation in the course of an infection has a different value compared to a months-long leukocytosis.
Can an Unexplained High WBC Count Mean Leukemia?
A high WBC count may be a symptom of leukemia, but elevated WBC alone does not imply leukemia.
Accountable for the increase in WBC count are infections, inflammation, drugs, stress, smoking, allergies, and some other causes.
If the increase is unexplained or associated with other abnormalities, the doctor may refer the patient to an expert in hematology.
What Should You Bring to Your Consultation?
When seeking a doctor’s assistance with an unexplained high WBC count, bring the following items with you:
- Latest CBC results
- Any past CBC results if you have those available
- Any medication list from previous treatments
- Any medical history
- Details regarding any previous infections
- Other related symptoms to your illness
- Details about any past treatments
Having a previous blood test as a reference will enable the doctor to say whether the anomaly is temporary, constant, or changing with time.
FAQs
What causes an unexplained high WBC count?
Unexplained high WBC count can be caused by infection, inflammation, medication, stress, smoking, immune disorders, and blood/bone marrow conditions.
Is an unexplained high WBC count always a sign of cancer?
Not always. A number of causes can cause an unexplained high WBC count, and further testing is needed for accurate incident identification.
When should an unexplained high WBC count be examined?
An unexplained high WBC count should be discussed with your doctor if it persists, rises, or appears with any abnormal lab tests or symptoms.
Is there any specialist who can examine an unexplained high WBC count?
Based on the potential cause of the incident, you may need to see your physician, your hematologist, or any other relevant doctor.
Does infection cause an unexplained high WBC count?
Yes. Infection is one of the most common reasons behind the high white blood cell count.
Conclusion
A high WBC count cannot be just treated as a diagnosis to point to one’s health condition. This is because this condition can be a result of many non-cancerous causes like infections or sometimes therapy. Thus, persistent abnormality in the WBC count may warrant referral to the specialist.
For those in Odisha looking for doctors experienced in treating high WBC counts, the following is the comparison:
- Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack
- Dr. Pritish Chandra Patra
- Prof. Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena
Apart from instant expert referrals, both Dr. Patra and Prof. Dr. Jena have formal backgrounds in clinical hematology, and Dr. Chhirolya’s institute has published detailed articles giving the coverage of unexplained leukocytosis cases.
A high WBC count should be treated as an abnormality needing medical investigation, rather than as the cause of symptoms and self-diagnosing.
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