I have a swollen lymph node in the armpit. Does it indicate any health issue?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have a swollen lymph node in the armpit with very little pain. I have been experiencing fatigue and weight loss for the last few weeks. I have gone through some routine laboratory tests and found that some test results are out of the normal range. Iron profile: iron 153 mcg/dL, UIBC 96 mcg/dL (low‌), TIBC 249 mcg/dL, transferrin saturation 61.40 % (high). Are the above results an indication of any health issue or disease like hemochromatosis?

Please answer.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Serum iron is a bit on the high normal side, and TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) and UIBC (unsaturated iron-binding capacity) are on the lower side. The rest of the reports are fine. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is normal, so it makes the possibility of chronic inflammatory illness less likely.

However, your iron profile is not complete; the serum ferritin value is not there. You should request the laboratory to test it again. Ferritin will indicate the amount of excessive iron in the body. If ferritin is elevated, then it suggests iron overload in you, and in that case, you will need further investigations like HFE (homeostatic iron regulator) mutation testing, liver, and cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), etc.

So, as a priority, you should get a serum ferritin level done to look for the possibility of iron overload. You also request a CRP (C-reactive protein) test as alternative evidence for any inflammatory disease. It is similar to ESR.

Meanwhile, do you have any history of blood transfusions, a family history of any blood disorders, or acute febrile illness recently?

Regarding lymph nodes, small and painless lymph nodes of size 0.9 inches are considered normal for the armpit. So it is better if you can get it examined by a local physician.

I hope this helps you.

Kindly follow up if you have any doubts.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

So your serum ferritin level is normal. It rules out iron overload and the possibility of hemochromatosis at this moment. So you do not need any test or treatment for it at this moment.

I hope this helps.

All the best.