High LDH? Very worried about Lymphoma, Liver failure, or something else?

thank you very much for your words! ive just been feeling like crap and fatigued which, in addition to the lymph node and blood work, really scared me. im clinging on to the fact that i had many ct scans done a few months ago that would have likely shown anything if it were there. i guess if i had lymphoma or cancer or liver issues, my blood results would be completely abnormal and ghrough the roof.

Hi Matt, it's understandable that you'd be scared. Health anxieties are horrible. Even just having a CT scan sets me on edge like you can't believe, but looking at the bigger picture, you've obviously been under a doctor's care, so yes, I think there would be different results if it were serious. What did your doctor say about the slight elevation? Also, anxiety and stress can make you feel like crap. Get the thigh thing checked out and see what your doc says about the number. Hope you'll update here.

hey so a quick update. my GP ended up referring me to a hematologist to just look into the LDH numbers and the bump. The lymph node is still there, but hasnt really gotten any bigger, and no additional swollen nodes. still very nervous

Hi Matt, thanks for the update. Of course it's nerve-wracking, but try to think of it as you're resolving something that's been causing you a lot of anxiety. When concerned about a health issue, we tend to go to the worst-case scenario, when the truth is that there are literally thousands of reasons in between that can account for what we're seeing. You're on top of this situation, and you're doing what you need to do, try to think of it as a perspective of empowerment. (I can say this because I'm one of the worst offenders!) Continue to keep us updated, and enjoy the weekend.

quick update. saw the hematologist this morning and she didnt seem too concerned. she wasnt even sure if it was a lymph node or infected hair follicle or fatty deposit so she had me go get an ultrasound. the technician wasnt able to feel the lump for some reason but i swear its their and the size of a small marble. i could feel it, but whenever she tried to, it would get lost in the skin. also, nothing showed up on the ultrasound scan so im confused if maybe the technician just didnt find it correctly, or if maybe the lump is made up of tissue or skin that wouldnt show on an ultrasound anyways. either way, the lump is definitely there and feels round and hard, about 1.2 cm.

should i be concerned that nothing was found on the ultrasound? the hematologist also sent my bloodwork out to be tested for cancer markers just to be safe but said the quick results showed that my monocytes were slightly elevated. other than that, she found no other nodes in my physical exam.

im just worried about the ultrasound.

Hi Matt,

If the lump moves around, that's usually a very good sign. Those things usually go away. I would touch base with your primary and tell him that she couldn't find it but you feel it, and what should you do at this point. I think this is good news, but a follow-up with your primary might go a long ways towards putting you at ease. I'm sorry you're having to go through these appointments. Not fun.

thanks sienna! i have a follow up appt with hematologist next tuesday where she will go over my blood results and ultrasound. ill ask her to look again at the lump and see her opinion on biopsy. even if she thinks its just a swollen hair follicle or fatty deposit, maybe it makes sense to have it removed and biopsied anyways.

maybe my blood results will have more to say and put me at ease. all the doctors seem confident its nothing to worry about

The lump that you feel could easily be muscle fibers.LDH test is very non- specific and elevated levels should be interpreted with CBC or biochemistry tests.In your case it is probably due to the liver disease.

i hope so. im sure the probe was over the area where the lump is so im positive it would have shown up if it was worrisome regardless if the technician could feel it.

the hematologist is running a whole work up on my blood including ldh labs, etc. and hopefully we can pinpoint why i feel crappy

Good, about the labs. What specifically are you feeling? Tiredness? You're to be commended for being on top of this. I trust you'll have it figured out and be feeling better very soon.

Hi. The hematologist called yesterday with my results. my ldh levels are back to normal, all my blood counts were normal, and no sign of lukemia or lymphoma in the blood. aside from a slight elevation in c reactive protein likely due to a throat or upper respiratory infection, the doctor isnt concerned at all! she even remarked that she wasnt really able to feel if it was a lymph node or not. either way, the small lump is still there so im a bit nervous, but im reassured with all the normal testing. maybe its just a hair follicle or fatty tissue. if it grows bigger or causes new symptoms, i will definitely reach back out, but im hoping all the normal tests indicate that i dont have lymphoma or cancer. thank you guys for your support throughout these tough couple of weeks

Hi Matt,

This is very good news! Thank you for letting us know. I know the last couple weeks have been rough but you can put that behind you, now. As for the lump, sometimes nodes swell after an infection and they take forever to go down. If your doctor wasn't concerned enough to biopsy it, then just like you said, see if it goes away or gets bigger. Enjoy your weekend and the good news!