Hepatits C

[Sudha46]

I have taken 1 dose of interferon along with 6 caps.of Ribavirn,on March7.i am still continuing with ribavirin but my wbc count is not improving due to which my second dose of interferon is getting delayed.my wbc count is2.1 so how can i improve my wbc count? can i take some nutrilite food supplements? will it have any side effects?

[1oftheclub222]

My WBC is at 1.6, Neutrophils at .6...still kickin, no delay in treatment...they have a drug called Neupogen that helps with low WBC/Neutrophils so you don't have to delay or reduce interferon, but they would have to get pretty low - My doc says Neutrophils at .5 and WBC below 1.0 then we would look at that option.  I would discuss this with your doc, or look for another doc.

Are you in the U.S.?

[crigger]

You need to find another Doc

[80mecheng]

Did your doctor recomend delaying?  Frankly, after 1 shot it doesn't make any sense and my white blood cell count is significantly lower with no impact. I am in week 26.

[willbb]

Your doctor is delaying your INF. shot because of the WBC count??  Is this a gastroenterologist or a Hepatologist experienced treating patience with HCV?

Even if the " Neutrophils" that Co has explained above are low , then there are remedies to continue treatment (ie possibly adding the rescue drug Neupogen or ,even reducing the amount of Peginterferon ,,however delaying the shot is not proper protocol and may very well have an adverse effect on treatment success.

Good luck..
Will

[CoWriter]

Having a white count of 2.1 is NOT a reason to delay your interferon injection.  Let me explain.

There are different types of white blood cells.  NEUTROPHILS protect you against bacterial infections (like sinus, urine or wound infections).  While LYMPHOCYTES protect you against viral infections.  During treatment with interferon you want to watch the NEUTROPHILS.

So it doesn't matter what your total white cell count is as long as the NEUTROPHILS are okay.