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← Return to Low WBC, Low Platelets, Low RBC, Large cells - is it always Leukemia?
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Low WBC, Low Platelets, Low RBC, Large cells - is it always Leukemia?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Sep 23 6:01pm | Replies (94)Comment receiving replies
hi again. Both doctors are Hematologist/Oncologist. Just two different hospitals.
To recap: initial routine blood test: B12 153, WBC 1.6, ANC .6, MCV 106, Platelets 65.
No blast cells in red blood, 2% blast cells in bone marrow, large red blood cells in bone marrow. FISH results were negative. No symptoms, feel fine.
Doctor #1: B12 is not low enough to cause these issues. Is either Leukemia or MDS. Bone Marrow Biopsy next morning. After 3 weekly B12 injections (from my primary doctor) he concluded low-risk MDS (before my FISH results were returned). Ordered 6 weekly blood CBC blood tests.
Doctor #2: B12 is low enough to mimic the MDS symptoms. 3-weeks of weekly B12 injections are not enough. Stopped weekly blood tests. Weekly blood samples could lower my hemoglobin levels. He is Skeptical of the Diagnosis. Ordered me for 6 more weeks of weekly B12 injections, no blood tests till September 16th.
What are your thoughts on all of this? Will I know on the 16th if it's cancer or just B12 issue?
Replies to "hi again. Both doctors are Hematologist/Oncologist. Just two different hospitals. To recap: initial routine blood test:..."
I saw the other latest comments including your dilemma with two vastly different treatment plans/diagnoses to date. Truly that's a sure anxiety producer. Also the classic "hurry up and wait" we all have from time to time. So sorry you have this going on. I'm going to have a "think" on this and may write more after if I come up with anything.
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I couldn't say since I am not a Dr. If you have low risk MDS, 6 weeks will not hurt you. Wouldn't it be great if this is a Vit B12 deficiency! I had never heard the deficiency can mimic MDS, but sure enough: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11191413/
I will be optimistic for you that it is a deficiency! I suspect Dr 1 is evaluating your CBC to intervene with transfusions if necessary. Platelets usually have to drop to 1000. Hemoglobin at 7. What is your Hemoglobin? Ask Dr 1 if you see him again if you have any genetic changes, or ask Dr 2 if he has access to your records.