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Neupogen for Low white cells

I am on my second shot of 24 pegintron/ribavirin.My white blood cells went from 2900 to 1200 in one week. The doctor said if it goes below 1000 then he will reduce dose on my 3rd shot. Not a very good start.

I have heard about Neupogen, which is supposed to increase white blood cells. Is this expensive??? How much will I need if my white blood cells drop more? I am in Thailand and and paying for all this myself. I could not wait for Obama's big insurance plan. My whole 24 weeks here will cost $10,000 includes all tests and doctor care. Way cheaper than USA. I live in Thailand anyway.

Now the white blood cell thing. I have heard neupogen costs a lot. Any feedback out there.
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Avatar universal
I am a 36 year old male i lose all of my white cells and plaitlet been on neupurgen for over 5 years at just around 100000 per year cant seem to find anyone that can tell me what is wrong with me need help
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Avatar universal
White blood cell count by itself should not be used to determine whether Neupogen or dose reduction is necessary.  It is the ANC (absolute neutrophil count) that is used.

Absolute neutrophil count: The real number of white blood cells (WBCs) that are neutrophils. The absolute neutrophil count is commonly called the ANC.

The ANC is not measured directly. It is derived by multiplying the WBC count times the percent of neutrophils in the differential WBC count. The percent of neutrophils consists of the segmented (fully mature) neutrophils) + the bands (almost mature neutrophils). The normal range for the ANC = 1.5 to 8.0 (1,500 to 8,000/mm3).

Low ANC is to be expected with treatment and most hepatologists don't become concerned until the ANC drops below 500.

My insurance is BCBS.  Speciality mail order pharmacy supplied my Neupogen in  1 month shipments each which consisted of (4) 300mcg syringes.  It is very expensive.

Per Month:
Retail cost from pharmacy:  $1700
Contractual agreement cost: $ 967  
  
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