how low can wbc go?

[lchou]

Just got my 12 week results.  Still undetected, enzymes still elevated & wbc 2.1.  NP says low but not an emergency yet.  Everything else is good.  My cholesterol even went down (alot)!

My question is how low can the wbc go before it is considered an emergency?

Lauren

[Kristina538]

My WBC went that low but the doc's look at other readings on your CBC to determine the levels at which they may decrease your dosage, so I'm not sure whether there is an exact answer to your question.   Congrats on remaining undetected!!!

[CoWriter]

It doesn't matter how low the white blood cells are as long as the NEUTROPHILS are okay.  Neutrophils are white cells that protect you against bacterial infections.

Co

[lalapple]

apparently they can go to zero for cancer chemo patients, but in my case, they went down to less than 2.0.  but it's really your ANC for neutrophils that count.  my doc put me on Neupogen right away when my ANC dropped to .75.  and Neupogen is just an extra weekly shot to keep my WBC and ANC up!   it's a rescue drug for me!

good job on UND!!!

[jmjm530]

ANC (absolut neuts) is the important fraction, but a study suggests that even low ANC is not associated with increased infections during SOC. My ANC dropped to around 300 and my medical team didn't blink, meaning no dose reduction and no Neupogen.

"...In conclusion, neutropenia is frequent during treatment of hepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin, but it is not commonly associated with infections. These results suggest that patients with constitutional neutropenia probably can be treated safely and may not require dose modification. These findings support a revision of current criteria for exclusion and dose modification based on white blood cell counts in the treatment of hepatitis C..."

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepC/Neutropenia.html

[lchou]

Thanks for the answers & the congrat's on 12 wk UND!  

How often is the standard for blood tests once you pass the 12 week marker?

I really hate getting poked with a needle if I don't have to.  It is always an ordeal.

I am still concerned about the enzymes, but am confident after reading all the replies and other info I got from my last post that I don't need to be.

Thanks again, and hope your New Year's are off to a positive start.

Lauren

[lalapple]

How often is the standard for blood tests once you pass the 12 week marker?

well, since i'm on Neupogen, my hepa had me do labs every week until i convinced them to make it every 2 weeks.  if you're not on any extra shots like Neupogen or Procrit, on a regular basis, my clinic had me do labs every month, and i have my viral loads tested every 3 months.