LOW CBC W/BLOOD COUNT

Hi, Went in today for my monthly blood draw, I'm at  approx. 28/48 Tx give or take. Here's the thing? My primary care Doc. who I'm not seeing for Tx calls me this afternoon to say that the lab had contacted him  to inform him of the result of the CBC? and that my white blood count was extremely low?. Now my internist and I have been monitoring this monthly, but the Doc. really scared me? He said his concern was if I was having any out of the ordinary side effects? Can anyone give me the 411 on white blood cell count and Tx? Will not know my recent labs until next week.

[Bill1954]

Hi Tina,

The value you want to have is the ‘absolute neutrofils count’. This is used to determine whether or not intervention is necessary. The reference range Quest diagnostics uses is 1500 – 7800 cells/mcl; however, most sophisticated hematologists/hepatologists will allow their patients to drop to about 500 before either dose reducing or prescribing G-CSF drugs such as Neupogen. Some docs will allow their patients to drop to .30-.35 before they intervene. The obvious choice is to use the Neupogen; continuing on full-dose interferon is the best way to ensure that you eventually achieve SVR.

If you work in an infectious environment, such as heath care, the threshold for intervention will change to protect the patient from infection.

Good luck—

Bill

[tinal59]

Thanks Bill, makes sense. I believe I was @ 600 +/- last month and will know more next week. Will Google Neupogen to discuss with my Dx. Again thanks

[orleans]

Hey, Most have blood work at least every 2 weeks. 4 weeks is a long time and alot can change in that amount of time. jerry