White Blood Cell Count
 

My white blood cell count has gone down again for the third time in 6 months, and now it's below the normal range. I've never had a bone marrow biopsy. The next step is obviously to see a hematologist. I know autoimmune conditions can lower it, and not just, say, cancer. Anyone else experience this? If anyone has any experience here, it would be appreciated.

Have you been getting sick frequently?

Yes, autoimmune conditions can lower your WBC, but so can other things. It should be checked out and sounds like your headed in the right direction by seeing a hematologist.

Keep us posted.

my white count tends to be just above the high range when I am tested.

But my doctor has told me that a viral infection, tends to lower white count.(this is most common)

Here is a good wiki on this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukopenia

Notice that there are many drugs that can cause it too.

Sometimes it is a simple thing... B12 and folate and copper levels when low can reduce blood cell production.

Thanks for the response.



No, I haven't been sick at all, in fact. But it may not be low enough for that. It was above the lower limit until this last test when it fell below. But it has been consistently dropping.

Is your count low? I've read about lupus and RA, but can all autoimmune conditions do this? Can Sjogren's? And yes, other things can cause it too. I'd be curious to hear about other experiences with this.

Please keep us posted David
 

Years ago I had a borderline Wbc from a virus. Hopefully people will have experiences to share with you.

Thanks, Mrs.D. I've read that. Mine is likely autoimmune, though perhaps cancer is possible. I definitely don't have an acute viral infection. But there are many potential infections that could cause it. I definitely don't have folate deficiency, but I haven't checked my copper. No way of knowing until I have a bone marrow biopsy I suppose.

Pinkey, thank you too. I'll definitely update. But it may take a few months to get to the bottom of this, if not longer. I'll push to expedite the process.

Mine WBC hovers on the low end of normal...but I get monthly IVIG. During times I wasn't receiving IVIG, mine was borderline low, dipping down every now & then for no apparent reason (other than having autoimmune disorder).

That being said, I am primary immune deficient...and so are 25% of those with autoimmune disease (Sjogren's included).

Your visit with the hematologist will be interesting to hear what he has to say. He will likely run a large battery of labs for various things, just to see where this is coming from. Try not to read into what labs he runs (like for cancer, etc) because he's got to rule out everything (so it's not like he runs them thinking it will be positive).

Thank you for sharing your experience, En Bloc. Much appreciated.

I'm not sure whether I'm immune deficient or will end up being so. My IgG is low, but not below the normal range. My IgE has actually crept up since the last time I tested it. But that's not surprising.

Thank you for the advice. Of course, you're right. I'm happy to be tested for everything they deem necessary, and I won't concern myself until we have the results. When you're chronically ill, things don't have the same impact. :)

Hi David,

Try not to worry at this point. They usually don't do much when someone has a WBC just below normal and not neutropenic . They usually put you in a watch and wait mode. Unless the doctor sees a lot of new white blood cells (blast) or if the differential count indicates something or if you have other symptoms (enlarged spleen). I assume your platelets are above the low-normal as well as your HGB. Are your neutrophils(ANC) in the normal range?

It's good to chart your blood counts so you can see the trend overtime like you are doing.

Definitely get your zinc, copper and iron checked. In addition to the B vitamins already mentioned, vitamin D & K2 are important. You can't test for K2 though.

Also get screened for h.pylori even if you have no symptoms. Disruptions in the gut can impact bone marrow. Medications can impact your blood counts too.

John was treated for bone marrow failure back in 2002. The reason why he has PN.

You may find this helpful: http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/...o-checked=true

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23771659

If your IgG is low (or on the low side), then you NEED to be tested for IgG subclasses. It is VERY common to have a normal total IgG level, yet be deficient in one more of the subclasses. I'm deficient in 3 of the 4 subclasses, yet my total is just over the normal level because the first subclass (1) is the largest and I have a normal level in this category...bringing my total into a normal level.

Like I said, it is quite common for those with autoimmune disease to be immune deficient. Hopefully your hematologist will order IgG subclasses, but f not, ask him to do so.