Topic: Is Low White Cell Count really no big deal?
desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
This close _ _ to calling it quits with abx.s First liver issues and now m WC count dropped over 50% in a month.
Weird thing I have been feeling better so was really surprised to find that my white cell count is 3.2.
My LLNP said it is nothing to worry about and continue on meds and re-check in one month.
Well, I am worried about it as I have never had a low white cell count and I think 3.2 is pretty low?
Anyone have experience with this stuff? Can abx.'s cause such a drop? Parasites (I just tested positive)? Help????
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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What happens is that your body will depend on the abx while you are on them and white counts drop.
When mine went to 2 I went off abx for a week, retested and they came in over 5. Mine were where yours are for a long time. I think it's pretty common.
Posts: 845 | From Northeast | Registered: May 2011
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
During the last ILADS meeting, Dr. B (I think) was talking about a patient with a low white count that was caused by the antibiotics. His recommendation was to keep treating. I have read where Ehrlichia can cause a low white cell count. There is another one but my brain can't think of it right now, perhaps Babesia?
I know that 3.2 is out of range but I have seen lower levels. Your LLNP will keep an eye on it. Remember worry and stress are not good for us. Try to not to worry too much. (I know easier said than done!)
Best, Karen
Posts: 1685 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
Same here... I get labs done every other week. My WBC is often in the 2.6 to 2.8 range.
RBC is also frequently below range, which we attribute to the war with Babs.
It's just nice to wake up each morning with a pulse.
posted
Same here. My white count goes up and down but was down before I started abx. It is normal as you deal with Lyme plus coinfections.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Thanks for your replies....
During the 10 years I have been sick my white count was always normal (6-7). It just went down recently so it confused me since I am now feeling pretty good!
I have been on very, very aggressive tx this year and jumped my meds up the past few weeks so maybe my body is just reacting to the meds.
I worry alot...I know..bad...Sometimes I think I am better off not even looking at my labs..
I have that Gazelle feature through Quest where you get your bloodwork results sent directly to your email account so I always get my results before my LLMD.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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CherylSue
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Member # 13077
posted
Good info. Thanks.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
My white count hovers around 4. It went down to 2 while on rifabutin. Now that I am off of it it is back up to 3.2. Not great but better than 2.
Are you taking any meds that could cause it to drop?
Posts: 832 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
I am on pretty high dose of; Doxy, Biaxin, and Malarone. I think the meds could be the cause....
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
My lyme doc said that the body senses the antibiotics and decides it doesn't need to make too many white blood cells (which fight infection) since the antibiotics are there.
When mine went low, he put me on Transfer Factor (bovine colostrum) and my count went up in 2 weeks.
When it dropped again later, did the same thing. The third time it dropped, he just had me stay on Transfer Factor until I completed my treatment.
If your white count is too low, the doc will have to stop your meds to bring it up. Otherwise, you would be unable to fight off infection.
I never had to stop treatment thanks to the Transfer Factor. It worked quickly and reliably.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
I've been on transfer factor PlasMyc for over a year and my WBC dropped to 3.2 in January. My LLMD wanted me to retest in a month, and I did. I'm still awaiting the results.
Update: results are in. It is now 4 (low normal, but normal)
Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
My WBC's, RBC's, and ANC (absolute neutrophils) went lower & lower & lower when I was treating more aggressively. My LL neuro and hematologist had a fit. The hematologist took me off all non-essential meds, tested me every couple of days, and wouldn't let me leave on vacation for a few days.
It was really awful. I went back to zero off tx. It went on for a long time and scared the daylights out of me, as the hemo said if it went too much lower, he would have to hospitalize me. He said that I could die of a small infection, or get leukemia from it.
I still have not got back to a lot of treatment. I think it was a big mistake going off everything---although my WBC went down to 1.4 at one point, if I remember correctly.
You are not in that bad shape at all really comparatively. These drs did not understand the effect of TBI's or their tx.
I did learn that Transfer Factor, colostrum (as in from the cow, not powdered), and high dose niacin can all help to bring the WBC's and ANC back up.
But even with all that, it didn't always work for me. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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