Need some help interpreting lab results for BBB

First, I'll copy a post from another thread to explain what is going on...


URL: http://able2know.org/topic/196704-2#post-5093324


I've been looking at her blood work and reading the test explanations on a lab tests online site. When I go pick her up this afternoon, I will try to get the doctor to talk to me about my questions. In the meantime, here's what caught my attention.


Test:

D-Dimer, Quantitative

BBB's value is 1.58. The standard range is 0.00 - 0.50.

The D-dimer is used to detect pulmonary embolus (blood clots). I also read that an elevated D-dimer can be a result of surgery, liver disease, trauma, infection, DIC, etc.

So, the question is...is this indicating her past history with blood clots in her leg and lung (3 years ago) or is it just an indication that it is still soon after her recent hip replacement surgery on May 7th? None of the other lab work indicates there is an infection. Is that result abnormally high or is it just an indication that her body is still healing itself after her surgery and subsequent avulsion fracture?


The ER did a cat scan of her chest to be sure there were no blood clots there. It was clear. Should I put in a request to her GP doctor to have a full doppler scan done of her entire body to rule out blood clots anywhere else?


Test:

PRO-BNP N-Terminal

NT Pro BNP - BBB's is 646. Standard range is 0 - 450.

I understand that this test is to help detect and evaluate severity of heart failure. I understand that higher than normal results suggest a person has some degree of heart failure and the level of BNP is relative to its severity.

The ER doctors and cardiac specialists say all their tests show there are no problems with BBB's heart. Isn't this lab test result saying something else?

They say there is no indication she should be monitored by a cardiologist. I'm thinking that she should at least be referred to one who can then get baseline test results for later comparison and become familiar with these events she is having in increasing frequency.

Test:
CBC with Differential

All are in the normal range except 3 items related to white blood cells.

Neutrophils - hers is 84, standard range is 40-76.

Lymphocytes - hers is 12, standard range is 16-47

Abs. Neutrophil - hers is 7.8, standard range is 1.8 - 7.0.


The ER and cardiology doctors think these recent problems of hers are a result of her not being able to tolerate a recent dosage increase in the Aricept she is taking for dementia. About 10 days ago her dose was increased from 5 to 10 mg.

I understand that these white blood cell indicators can sometimes rise due to drug reaction.

She's been on the 5 mg of Aricept for about 6 months now and none of the similar CBC tests that were done before, during and after her May 7th hip replacement surgery had these white blood cell indicators flagged.