low wbc

I have hep c2 for 10 years. I get tested every year, and nothing wrong so far. I am not on interferon yet. So, my question is, my wbc was a little low (3.9) when I went for my well woman exam.  My Dr told me not to worry about it. But,could that be from the hep C?? Thank You

[meakea]

Yes, it could be from Hep C.  A chronic virus, such as Hep C, is a likely cause.

[meakea]

Oh, and your doctor is correct that a 3.9 WBC is not necessarily something to worry about but have you ever had a liver biopsy or do you know your genotype?

[Trinity4]

Normal range for wbc varies between laboratories but is usually between 4.3 and 10.8 so you are only ever so slightly low and your doctor is correct, no big deal.  Prior to starting treatment my wbc was 4.0 and I figure I've had hcv for over 30 years and it was not a problem when considering treatment.  However, my wbc during treatment continued to tank and because of low ANC I was prescribed Neupogen.  Four months later I've been told to stop Neupogen because my wbc and anc are within normal range so it took awhile to remedy.  May tank again but for now all is well.
You are genotype 2 according to your post,  If you ever consider because biopsy indicates it is necessary, keep in mind geno 2 have a higher cure rate and treatment duration is 24 wks instead of 48 wks.

Trinity  

[meakea]

Thanks Trin...I missed the 2 part.  :)

[Trinity4]

should read:  If you ever consider treatment because biopsy indicates it is necessary, keep in geno 2's have a higher cure rate than geno 1's and treatment duration is 24 wks instead of 48 wks.

[Trinity4]

Look at my correction Meakea, I still didn't get it right.  Left out the mind in keep in mind.
That sums it up right there, the mind has been left out for quite some time now.  LOL

[meakea]

Trin...been there, done that...lol

[Bulldoggergal]

Hmmmm..usually if you have a virus your WBC goes up...not down.  The treatment will make it go down.  I've had the HepC for over 20 years and a few years ago my WBC went up to 14-17k and has stayed around the 10-13K level.  The thought is that is could be because of the HepC virus.

I do have other autoimmune issues...so it could be something else.  But I also don't have any unusual symptoms...or moreso than the usual unusual...lol.

I wouldn't worry about your WBC being low on just one test if you aren't on treatment...I just thought I'd mention that viral activity will make a WBC go up, not down.  Those WBC cells are killing things (assumng viruses, bacterias, etc.) when the level is higher...

Jennifer

[meakea]

Typically, that's true that the WBCs go up with viral activity but the WBCs can also go low with chronic viruses like HCV and HIV.  

[Kristina538]

My WBC was much higher and healthier in 1995 than in 2005 (I failed tx in 1994 and tx'd again in 2008).      A whole picture of your blood work needs to be looked at though, and a biopsy.   I presumed that because of my high fibrosis, my platelets lowering and my immune system starting to be compromised by my damaged liver (i.e. malabsorption etc), that the WBC had naturally decreased.... my presumption may have been wrong, but my whole CBC's looked better in 1995.  

[Bulldoggergal]

Thank you...didn't know that.  Not sure if that makes me feel better (about the HCV activity) or not...but you are right about looking at the whole picture...not just a part of it.

I wish I could find a doc who was interested in looking at the whole picture...most don't have or take the time...or interest.  

Trying to figure all of this out can make you crazy!!!!  And test results are so individualized...I tend to be a 2%'er...if there's a 2% chance it will happen...then it will happen to me!  LOL

xoxoxo

[kd6iuh]

My husbands son died from Hemochromatosis. My question is can my husbands reaccuring anemia and consistantly low WBC, RBC, HCT be a sign of this? They run 2.2, 4.01, 38.0 respectively. He also has diabetes.