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WBC count keeps getting lower and lower
First off, I have not been diagnosed with any blood disorder. But this just stands out and makes me worried:
On the last few bloodworks I have done, I have noticed slightly low WBC count at first. Repeated it after 2 months - it was even lower. And now on the last one is even lower, the lowest it has ever been :/ Everything else on my bloodwork is pretty much in the reference ranges.
What could be causing this? Any experiences? I don't remember being sick. If it was a virus/infection of any kind, how could this last for months? Shouldn't it have resolved by now?
And what is an alarming low WBC count? Right now mine is 2.1.
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Hey Lori
Thanks for your comment. I am, indeed. I am being retest tomorrow to see if they've come back up so have my fingers crossed all is okay, to help relieve some anxiety.
The results alone wouldn't necessarily bother me but it's the fact I am still symptomatic from when and why I was first tested. They could all be unrelated but the fatigue is playing on my mood and health anxiety so things seem worse than they potentially are but my joints are still aching and if anything, getting worse so my mind is wondering. Hopefully unnecessary and the results were based on a past infection that's still resolving 🙂
Joining you with fingers crossed for all good news on your test results tomorrow. I know the feeling of waiting for news…any news! You’d like answers to your bothersome symptoms. I’m sorry to hear you’re plagued by fatigue and joint aches.
Are you being retested for a potential blood cancer or autoimmune disease?
Thank you..
Neither of those have be thrown out at me. My GP just said it may be my body recovering from a past infection and to re-test to make sure the levels are rising back to normal levels. If not, they will investigate further. Are those two what my results could suggest or is it because I've commented on a related thread?
Many thanks
Good morning, @cho25 As your GP stated, your lower WBC could absolutely be related to a previous infection. Our blood numbers fluctuate all the time in response to illnesses, meds, stress, etc..
Your last sentence was exactly my reason for asking. You popped into the Blood Cancers & Conditions support group and my replies were based on your “commenting on a related thread”.
I’m one of the mentors in this group and used to speaking with members who have blood cancers so I took your comment in that direction. That’s the only reason.
But I still wish you ‘unremarkable’ labs… ☺️
I almost always have a touch of high white count upwards 16 around there
Vicki
I was diagnosed with MDS in March of this year. I saw a hematologist who did a bone marrow biopsy and I was started on Dacogen, five days a week with a three week rest period. My WBC dropped horribly low. So after two rounds of the five day a week regimen, Dr decided that regimen was too strong for me and reduced it to four days a week, with a four week rest in between treatments. He did this to see if my body would recover and raise my white blood cell count naturally. Fortunately, so far this is working! I have not had a blood transfusion in three or four weeks, which I think is great. My platelets were a little low last week, but hopefully they’ll be up this week. I appreciate my hematologist “tweaking“ my treatment plan. Everybody is different, and reacts differently to medications & treatment regimens. I am petite, 5 feet tall and weigh just over 100 pounds. So, I may not need the same amount of medication a person much larger than me, for example, would.
My white cell count (or absolute neutrophil count) is what protects you from infection. I am taking an antibiotic, antifungal & antiviral pill(s) every day which I don’t like. But it’s better than ending up in the ER with a low neutrophil fever and then be admitted for 10 days on IV meds.
Best of luck to you. I feel very lucky to be part of this forum!