Just got a call that my white blood cell count is "3". Anyone else have one that low, or is that pretty "normal" for someone with Lyme?
Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :
Mine is the same. Was okay before lyme. Think its part of the problem.
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
Yup, pretty common. Both White and Red were in the low range a few months back.
WBC has been fluctuating in and out of range for a while, and Red is usually pretty good. Lowest WBC was 2.8. Both are now just into the normal range.
Don't worry... just watch Liver ALT/AST.
good luck.
gmb
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
When my white blood cell count went low, my lyme doc put me on Transfer Factor.
In 2 weeks we tested again, and my count was normal. so, the transfer factor enabled me to continue on antibiotics.
My doc said that sometimes once you are on antibiotics for a while, the body senses the antibiotics and decides it doesn't need to make white blood cells anymore since the antibiotics are there. So, that is why the white cell count goes low.
My white count went low a few times after the initial time and so finally my doc had me just stay on Transfer Factor until I completed my treatment.
The TF that I took was made from bovine (cow's) colostrum. I believe the brand was called 4Life or something like that.
This was over 7 years ago, so now there are many different kinds of TF.
Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :
Any other ways to raise wbc than transfer factor?
Posted by BuffyFan (Member # 34679) on :
did you feel any better/notice a difference when taking transfer factor?
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
No, I didn't feel sick with a low white count, and I didn't feel better with Transfer Factor.
White blood cells fight infection. So, if your white count goes low, you are unable to fight off infections. So, you could get sick if you are around someone who is sick. You could catch every illness that comes along. But, I never noticed it because my doc kept up with all my blood tests.
The doctor cannot just ignore the low white count. It puts the patient in danger.
If the count stays low, the patient has to stop antibiotics. Then, the count will come back up.
Posted by cordor (Member # 9449) on :
I am not on antibiotics and have not been for a couple of years now.
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
Maybe it's Bartonella, said to invade the WBC's and disable the immune sys.
Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :
i think low wbc is a key factor for the more severe cases of chronic lyme. but on the other hand i guess a high wbc wont help much when your immune system doesnt even recognize the lyme bacteria.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
It is important to monitor blood counts. Major changes in WBC and RBC need to be evaluated.
Frequently a low WBC might indicate another tickborne infection that is not being treated -- ehrlichia, anaplasma and I think most of the other rickettsial diseases can cause low WBC.
And yes bartonella or BLO can cause both low WBC and low RBC.
All of these infections require different meds that may not be used for just lyme.
A low RBC often indicates babesia or possibly anemia from other causes such as low iron, B12 or folic acid.
Totally depends on the doc as to how low the WBC goes as to whether they will stop antibiotics temporarily.
In my personal opinion adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng will not raise a low WBC unless the infection causing it is also being treated. Hubby has tried LDN and many other things, but if his WBC goes low the only thing that seems to help is either levaquin or factive -- but the problem right now is determining if bart is back or if this is just a chronic anaplasma infection.
Bea Seibert
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
Shark liver oil is good for raising WBC count. It has helped me, and my WBC count does keep going low. I learned this from a book on natural remedies for HIV/AIDS, as apparently low WBC count is common in AIDS (maybe from meds? I'm not sure).
Posted by BuffyFan (Member # 34679) on :
TF where do you order your transfer factor from? How large are the pills? thanks!
my wbc is 2.8 haven't been on antibiotics for a few weeks before testing. :'(
Posted by Rbm (Member # 33660) on :
Hello all- thank you so much for discussing
Low WBC count etc. mine have been low before treatment, and all during (1 year so far). I am thrilled to get some ideas abd share with my doc. I have Lyme, Bart, maybe still babesia. But I can't seem to get WBC count back up to increase abx to attack infections.
I am def going to look into transfer factor.
Best wishes to everyone.
Posted by Rbm (Member # 33660) on :
Hello all- thank you so much for discussing
Low WBC count etc. mine have been low before treatment, and all during (1 year so far). I am thrilled to get some ideas abd share with my doc. I have Lyme, Bart, maybe still babesia. But I can't seem to get WBC count back up to increase abx to attack infections.
I am def going to look into transfer factor.
Best wishes to everyone.
Posted by Rbm (Member # 33660) on :
Hello all- thank you so much for discussing
Low WBC count etc. mine have been low before treatment, and all during (1 year so far). I am thrilled to get some ideas abd share with my doc. I have Lyme, Bart, maybe still babesia. But I can't seem to get WBC count back up to increase abx to attack infections.
I am def going to look into transfer factor.
Best wishes to everyone.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
BuffyFan,
this was over 7 years ago. That's how long since I completed my lyme treatment. Yea!!!!
I believe I bought the 4Life Transfer Factor from the Vitamin Shoppe. My doc told me they sold it and they did.
I don't remember the pills being big or anything. Just don't recall.
Posted by BuffyFan (Member # 34679) on :