wbc low

[JAN07]

I received a call from my doctor saying that he wanted me to redo my blood tests again because my wbc was low again.  It was low at 2 weeks.  I think it was 2.1 but I am not sure. My 4 week test came back low too.  I do shot #8 this Sat. I've been lucky that I have not been suffering from any sx so far.  I am just wondering what I should expect.  My next dr.s visit is March 15th.

[B_Niel]

My wbc dropped to about 1.9 and kind of stayed right there and no intervention,   i hope your question is treated well and that you feel you can come back. my question was't taken well but i do remember I was pretty much a whack job on treatment do.  so maybe some folks are having a bad night, I hope you do good and really mine were lower and the doc didn't think anything about it. he said its the neutrophil count that means something. good luck

[jmjm530]

Many leading hepatologists are not concerned with WBC but with the WBC fraction called ANC (absolute neutrophils). In general, if your ANC isn't below 500, then you have nothing to worry about regardless of how low your WBC is. So do make sure you get your ANC value and mention this to the nurse in case she is not up to date. My doctor doesn't get concerned until ANC drops to 300 or below and stays there, as ANC tends to bounce up and down a lot.

So what to be prepared for? Be prepared for them to tell you to reduce your interferon or go on the rescue drug Neupogen because of low WBC. You should then be prepared to challenge both of these hypothetical recommendations if your ANC is 500 or above. And even if it's below 500, the preference should be to go on Neupogen over reducing your interferon dose. Reducing your interferon dose also reduces your chance of succeeding in treatment.

Be well,

-- Jim

[GrandOak]

The good thing on ANC being low is that Neupogen is extremely fast acting, unlike Procrit for low Hgb, and just a shot a day for three days straight could bounce it back to normal, or even above normal.

The bigger concern is how fast it falls again.

I was fortunate to only have to go through the series a few times during the 10 months I attempted tx last year as I hovered around the 500-1100 range.  But some have had to use it regularily to keep above 500.

[Cindy10]

Just curious guys, I heard you mention this before but when I look at my numbers it says 1.7 does that mean 1700? Or am I looking at the wrong #

[nygirl7]

My doc never used Neup with me...my wbc went up and down and up and down but he avoided using anything and I usually did recover.  But G.Oak is right it goes down fast.

[web52]

yes its 1500. mremeet cleared that up for me last wk when i had the same question.

[Cindy10]

Thanks alot for answering that, been wanting to ask but thought it sounded stupid. Thanks again!

[jt57]

so, if my wbc is 2.2 and my neutrophils are 34.6  what is my ANC?

[jt57]

Thanks!  I guess is use 2200 and not 2.2