My bloodwork is normal except for a slightly elevated lymphocyte count 4.5). So yes, you can have CLL with nearly normal bloodwork . In 2020 my PCP picked up on the elevated lymphocytes after seeing the pattern which everyone else had breezed over since 2014. The difference was that further testing picked up abnormalities in the leukocytes. A FISH test was done. Fortunately for me, the test also indicated a very good prognosis with the deletion found (13th chromosome pair).
I have never had symptoms.

I agree !!!!! All that I could really say before being diagnosed is I am very tired 💤! You described my journey to diagnoses perfectly. At one point I just thought it was sleep apnea, then fibromyalgia
( which are both side issues ) or stress /depression, attention deficiencies, and so on.

I am diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which I have probably had since 2014, when I started having slightly elevated lymphocytes.. My labs are still close to normal with just slightly elevated lymphocytes. Consequently this was ignored for many years until 2020 when my PCP decided to explore why these lymphocytes were consistently elevated. (I was not symptomatic.) He did a workup which included a FISH test, and voila! Leukemia!.
Bloom, since you are having a rough time with some symptoms, you might ask your doc to run some further tests, like the FISH test. It wouldn't do any harm and you could at least rule leukemia out. I lead a normal life and am not getting treatment. I check in with my hematologist every 6 months. The labs have not changedso I am very fortunate.
I hope you feel better!

Before being diagnosed my symptoms were tired and tired! I’m sorry I don’t know the answer. Had since 2014 and not treated until this year when my numbers went sky high. Now on treatment which is working so far. I went through a lot of different tests at first and finally to a Hematologist to find out it was Leukemia! Make a list of questions for your Doctor and hand them to him to be answered so you can feel better about your diagnosis! Oh and I researched and researched on numerous websites! Sending prayers 🙏🙏🙏

My diagnosis of CLL was.like the rest of you. Elevated lymphocytes and fatigue/tired all the time and my joints ached really bad. I had this for about 2 years and then my primary doctor decided to send me to an oncologist/hematologist and as someone else said, vola, diagnosis with CLL.
I have had some hard moments with CLL, but mostly, I am okay and still in watch and wait.
It is such a tricky cancer. One minute your labs a normal and the next thing you know you are in the hospital 🏥!
I am grateful 🙏 for everyday I have. I just wish I could get my energy back!