posted
My son is 18 and CDC positive, low CD-57, went on a month of augmentin in sept, and been on doxy ever since.
His white blood cell count is high (I think 11) and liver functions are slightly elevated (not much, about 40's).
His LLMD said lyme does not cause elevated WBC???
He is checking him for hepC, which is a good idea anyway, because I have it. he was tested when he was 2 and it was neg.
anyone else ever hear that lyme does NOT cause high WBC count? I thought the ducks said I couldn't possibly have lyme BECAUSE my WBC count was NOT elevated???
he also said its not from the abx, doxy doesn't cause it.
Posts: 615 | From maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Rororororo...
Sorry to hear your son has Lyme. Stinking ticks!
As for the white blood count... and I am NOT discounting it in the way a duck would... but.. the 11 reading on a standard lab test is only slightly above the 10 (or close to it) upper level reading.
If the count was 15 or above.. I would be concerned. In other words.. many things can cause the level to raise slightly.. even fighting off a common virus. But I am glad to see you checking out all possibilities.
Please keep in mind.... Sometimes when herxing the white blood count can go up slightly too.
The WBC often goes up early in the infection and often slowly comes down during treatment... or due to lack of treatment and the keets distancing themselves from the attack of the immune system.
Catching Lyme in more later stages you might not see any elevation in the WBC... or may see slight flucuating numbers.
You also mentioned liver functions are a bit elevated.
This also can happen when herxing. I've noted LLMD's have pulled the patients off the antibiotics for a few days when this happens... and have seen the count go down.
Is your son taking milk thistle for the liver? Many do, as do I.. and I think it helps quite a bit in my situation. I use a liquid tincture and add the drops to a beverage.. daily. That way I don't have to take additional PILLS!!! If this is approved by your doctor and is something you want to consider... remember to start slowly.
Last note...
Has your son been checked/considered for any coinfections? This could possibly be a reason for an elevated white count and liver reading that is a bit off.
Sure hope he is feeling much better soon. Please keep us informed and let us know if you need anything. O tay?
posted
thats another thing I sked the LLMD about co-infections, I have babs and bart. he BI's do not cause elevated wbc count.
i thought all infections cause high wbc? maybe only viral infections do?
i think he was fighting off a cold, so maybe it was just that.
Posts: 615 | From maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
all infections cause wbc increase. increases are usually not a concern unless they are near 20. increased wbc can only be from infection or cancer. with cancer it will be alot higher.
wbs kill bacteria, viri, sometimes yeast. they will back up into the lymph nodes and cause them to swell.
the results must be way out of range to worry about anything.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
People with chronic Lyme often don't have a high WBC. It's partly because the immune system is compromised so the body doesn't recognize there is an infection to fight.
Perhaps this is what your LLMD meant.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Sometimes even yeast infections can cause a higher white count... so do consider that.
posted
I had a freind of mine who's WBC was in the 20s. They thought he had some kind of Cancer. They check him for everything. He has 4 of the lyme bug infections. A couple of months after treatment his WBC went back to normal.
Posts: 582 | From milwaukee wi | Registered: May 2005
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