Low WBC, Low Platelets, Low RBC, Large cells - is it always Leukemia?

Posted by asarnesejr @asarnesejr, Aug 1 9:28am

I recently went for routine bloodwork after 5-years and my CBC showed that my WBC is 1.5, RBC is 3.84, Platelet count is 74, Hemoglobin is 13.9 and the Neutrophils are at .7

I had a bone marrow test done yesterday 07/31.

Do the above numbers realistically seem like Lukemia?

Your help is apprciated

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Profile picture for bettersleep68 @bettersleep68

I have aml...this week all my labs were normal first timr since dec 2024...yay..could this indicate remission?.?

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So happy to read your numbers are in the normal range. The person I would ask is your Hematologist/Oncologist. Their knowledge and experience would be your best bet. Surprised they haven’t reached out to you! For me, I am in what my doctor calls “deep remission” because of my MRD results (no mutations found) I have yet to have any of my CBC numbers be in the normal range other than my platelets. I also know that even a few cancer cells could and most likely are still in my blood. @loribmt mention in a post that FLT3 mutation is a sneaky one and hard to detect. I know that treatment brings our numbers down so waiting longer between treatments (I am on maintenance) may enable my numbers to all get in the normal range and that maybe something we try - for now I am just happy that my MD’s goal for me is I “die of Old Age”. Do update us when you speak with your care team.

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Profile picture for sonieaml @sonieaml

So happy to read your numbers are in the normal range. The person I would ask is your Hematologist/Oncologist. Their knowledge and experience would be your best bet. Surprised they haven’t reached out to you! For me, I am in what my doctor calls “deep remission” because of my MRD results (no mutations found) I have yet to have any of my CBC numbers be in the normal range other than my platelets. I also know that even a few cancer cells could and most likely are still in my blood. @loribmt mention in a post that FLT3 mutation is a sneaky one and hard to detect. I know that treatment brings our numbers down so waiting longer between treatments (I am on maintenance) may enable my numbers to all get in the normal range and that maybe something we try - for now I am just happy that my MD’s goal for me is I “die of Old Age”. Do update us when you speak with your care team.

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Thanks for your reply...will let you know..I have bone marrow aug.11 and then follow up with doctor

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Profile picture for drawlings0803 @drawlings0803

I wish to high heaven drs wouldn’t treat people like another number/statistic! Everyone is an individual & unique. I had a friend who lived 10 years with stage 4 throat cancer, another who is still alive (20+ years) with stage 4 breast cancer, & I could go on.
There are several types of leukemia, just as there many types of any blood cancer. And there are treatments for you! To just throw out a random 5-10 years if it’s leukemia is crazy without even knowing what it is yet! (Sorry- retired nurse here & I get a little irked at drs sometimes!).
I know drs want to be transparent, but then it’s like all you hear is the bad stuff & you can’t unthink it. Try try not to focus on the worst possible scenario!
And you have found a great group here for valuable information and to be a shoulder when you need one. Keep us posted; we’re here for you!

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Well said @ drawlings0803. Why do so many docs behave that way? So not professional in my opinion.

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It's hard to distract yourself waiting for your diagnosis after a bone marrow biopsy and it will be even harder if you learn you have an aggressive type of leukemia. I remember feeling so numb initially. Sleep was fitful and nightmarish, food loses its taste. It felt like my body stopped making endorphins.
Once you learn the name of your disease, distracting yourself as others have mentioned is the key to finding peace. You need to research about your type of leukemia or other blood disease. In the beginning I didn't even know there were different types of leukemia. You have the benefit of the internet which I didn't have initially.
Take advantage of what you learn from your oncologist, and also blog on this site as well as others about your specific disease. Inspire is a useful site, Facebook has good medical group sites as well. You'll learn a lot from others with your specific disease. I lived near a major city which had conference's for specific diseases including CLL. Personally that didn't benefit me because I was in the early stages and not ready for treatment and learned that these conferences were sponsored by pharmaceutical firms promoting their drugs.
My bone marrow result showed I had Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, CLL and at the age of 50 I was told could expect 5 -15 years more. It took about 2 months to accept this reality. I was a zombie. Then as others mentioned I distracted myself with my hobby- landscape gardening. I stayed positive, became obsessively focused on my gardens where I could soak in nature, appreciating everything: clouds, trees, lush foliage and all glorious flowers I grew. I joined a garden club and gave tours of my gardens. I'd praised God, expressing gratitude for the good years I had. I treasured every moment with my husband and family. Then time passed. Now almost 26 years later here I am blogging . My CLL regressed back into the bone marrow about 10 years ago, it's just waiting there. My blood counts are perfectly normal, even the lymphocytes. I can't explain this, neither can my oncologists- nothing special about me, but I do believe that accepting my disease spurned me to be more grateful for the time I had left giving me a positive attitude. That said I do stress before each blood draw.
I never had pain, except during the horrific pain of the bone marrow test comparable to natural childbirth! I never experience more than ordinary fatigue. If you are in pain or exceedingly fatigued others may help with suggestions on that.
Again- once you get a diagnosis- research, blog and become an expert on your form of leukemia or blood disease. You will be your best advocate.

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Replying to @asarnesejr

Sounds like it could possibly be lglleukemia…Large Granular Lymphocytes.
Ask to have this ruled out.
Very familiar with this…partner has it, and has been successfully treated. Interestingly, a relapse appeared to be triggered by the combo covid shot.
The large lymphocytes crowd out everything else. Thus, the low numbers everywhere.

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Although I meet with my Hematologist on 8/11 with the results of my bone marrow biopsy, I did just receive the results from my blood work Flow panel: Leukemia/Lymphoma.

Flow Interpretation - No significant immunophenotypic abnormality detected.

Assessment of Leukocytes - No monoclonal B cell population is detected. There is no loss of or aberrant expression of, the pan T cell antigens to suggest a neoplastic T cell process.

No circulating blasts are detected.

There is no immunophenotypic evidence of abnormal myeloid maturation.

Analysis of the lymphocyte population shows B cels 5%, T cells 80%, NK cells 15%

Although all considered good and normal, does it suggest that I may not have Leukemia?

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Profile picture for asarnesejr @asarnesejr

Although I meet with my Hematologist on 8/11 with the results of my bone marrow biopsy, I did just receive the results from my blood work Flow panel: Leukemia/Lymphoma.

Flow Interpretation - No significant immunophenotypic abnormality detected.

Assessment of Leukocytes - No monoclonal B cell population is detected. There is no loss of or aberrant expression of, the pan T cell antigens to suggest a neoplastic T cell process.

No circulating blasts are detected.

There is no immunophenotypic evidence of abnormal myeloid maturation.

Analysis of the lymphocyte population shows B cels 5%, T cells 80%, NK cells 15%

Although all considered good and normal, does it suggest that I may not have Leukemia?

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See my post today on LGLLeukemia.
Hematologists are not always familiar with it.
Ask to have it specifically ruled out.
Important to improve your dangerously low neutrophil count.

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Profile picture for gardeningjunkie @gardeningjunkie

It's hard to distract yourself waiting for your diagnosis after a bone marrow biopsy and it will be even harder if you learn you have an aggressive type of leukemia. I remember feeling so numb initially. Sleep was fitful and nightmarish, food loses its taste. It felt like my body stopped making endorphins.
Once you learn the name of your disease, distracting yourself as others have mentioned is the key to finding peace. You need to research about your type of leukemia or other blood disease. In the beginning I didn't even know there were different types of leukemia. You have the benefit of the internet which I didn't have initially.
Take advantage of what you learn from your oncologist, and also blog on this site as well as others about your specific disease. Inspire is a useful site, Facebook has good medical group sites as well. You'll learn a lot from others with your specific disease. I lived near a major city which had conference's for specific diseases including CLL. Personally that didn't benefit me because I was in the early stages and not ready for treatment and learned that these conferences were sponsored by pharmaceutical firms promoting their drugs.
My bone marrow result showed I had Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, CLL and at the age of 50 I was told could expect 5 -15 years more. It took about 2 months to accept this reality. I was a zombie. Then as others mentioned I distracted myself with my hobby- landscape gardening. I stayed positive, became obsessively focused on my gardens where I could soak in nature, appreciating everything: clouds, trees, lush foliage and all glorious flowers I grew. I joined a garden club and gave tours of my gardens. I'd praised God, expressing gratitude for the good years I had. I treasured every moment with my husband and family. Then time passed. Now almost 26 years later here I am blogging . My CLL regressed back into the bone marrow about 10 years ago, it's just waiting there. My blood counts are perfectly normal, even the lymphocytes. I can't explain this, neither can my oncologists- nothing special about me, but I do believe that accepting my disease spurned me to be more grateful for the time I had left giving me a positive attitude. That said I do stress before each blood draw.
I never had pain, except during the horrific pain of the bone marrow test comparable to natural childbirth! I never experience more than ordinary fatigue. If you are in pain or exceedingly fatigued others may help with suggestions on that.
Again- once you get a diagnosis- research, blog and become an expert on your form of leukemia or blood disease. You will be your best advocate.

Jump to this post

You are a perfect example of the power of positivity. When I was first diagnosed with MDS, I’ll admit I was scared & having many pity parties. Then, after praying a lot & asking friends & family to pray for me, I felt more at peace, thankful for the simplest of things. I went to chemo infusions looking forward to laughing with the nurses. I started writing in my journal again.
On August 15 I’ll be admitted to the hospital for a SCT. I am blessed & thankful for my donor & a second chance. I’m hoping to make new friends while there & hopefully help someone else going through the same thing.
Hugs,
Diane

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Profile picture for art43 @art43

See my post today on LGLLeukemia.
Hematologists are not always familiar with it.
Ask to have it specifically ruled out.
Important to improve your dangerously low neutrophil count.

Jump to this post

not sure where to find your post?

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Profile picture for asarnesejr @asarnesejr

not sure where to find your post?

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It is in this thread, a couple of hours ago.
Sort the messages from newest to oldest and it will be near the top.
System will not let me repeat it.

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