basic results from 3 1/2 wk labs- NOT VL results

[lmr28]

I had my 4 wk labs at 3 1/2 wks due to scheduling conflicts at the hospital (last week- Th. 3/27).  I am waiting to hear if I am UND...  I guess that will come later in the week.  (My birthday was 3/26, the day before labs, so I wished for UND while making my b-day wishes!  Go figure- that was all I asked for this year!!!)

These are the lab results that I do have...  (I have been really bad about posting my labs.  I still get on here to read and do write brief messages or responses, but at day 2 of wk 5, I am really struggling with energy & thought process, even for typing!!!)

AST went from 174 down to 46.
ALT went from 208 down to 81.
GGTP went from 98 to 61.

WBC went from 6.3 down to 2.3.
HGB went from 15.1 down to 12.4.
Hematocrit went from 43 down to 37.
Platelet Count went from 291 down to 195.
Neutrophils are at 1106 (can't find previous count on this...)

So.  What does this all mean?  I felt like I knew more BEFORE starting and now that my brain has quit functioning, I remember nothing of what I learned.  (I was actually fairly articulate, educated, and bright prior to beginning tx! Really!  I swear it!)

Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks,
~lorraine

[medicmommy]

The dizziness is part of the hematocrit (HCT)/hemoglobin (HGB) drop...Once it slows down, your body will adjust, and you'll start to feel a bit better..The Neutrophils are a part of the white blood cell family called a Granulocyte...they are bad bug gobblers...Bacteria, chielfly...Here's something not really related, but interesting...In hemolytic anemia, the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can make them (that's why iron won't help)...But, when a virus/ bacteria damages a red blood cell, the broken cell's contents poisons the offending bug -and kills it! HAH! Die bug, die!
Oh, for the nausea, try a rx called Zofran (oldesterone(sp?) it has way less sides, and doesn't knock you out...Many people can't take the other kind of antiemetics that are part of the "phenothiazine" drug class because it gives them the heebie jeebies..(Love that word!) If you just can't keep anything down, get it in suppository form, or maybe a patch...Good luck! Hang on, the ride is picking up speed!

[lmr28]

Thanks much for the feedback.  WOW! Am I fatigued!  Also have some dizziness going on now that I did not before.  
I am calling tomorrow to bug them again for VL and will ask about a booster.  I was doing weekly CBC's, now I am doing every 2 weeks. I will ask about going back to weekly.
I was given a Rx at my last appointment w/ the PA for the nausea.  Then spoke to my brother, who took it for chronic migranes, and found out that he had TERRIBLE sx.  I quickly shelved the Rx.  Until this week, the nausea has been annoying, but no big deal.  The past few days all smells, most food sends me over the edge.  I have lost 18 lbs at last check, and considered that my silver lining!  ;-)  Now, however, I am struggling to get my carnation instant breakfast down.  I'm sure that no nutrient intake will NOT be in my favor with the fatigue!!!  Anyway- the Rx is generic name- Metoclpramide.  I think she called it Regilin (or something like that) at the hospital.  Anyone have any familiarity with this?  
I also wondered what the deal is with Neutrophils.  I seem to recall they are linked to WBC's, but do not recall much else. I read medicmommy's post and the responses and I understand what to look for in the #'s, but still do not understand the connection to WBC's or what exactly they are...
Thanks again!
~l.

[sfbaygirl]

Your counts look good, especially those enzymes!  I bet you are feeling really fatigued about now going down over 3 pts in your HGB.  This is a lot of dropping. You may want to get a booster for your HGB. Although it is a good number now, the drop was significant and can cause extreme anemia. Of course, we usually want anemia around 3-4 weeks, we don't have to suffer. Please keep an eye on this. Do you have CBC's every week?  I would at this point, given your drop. A booster sure wouldn't hurt. It takes several weeks to get that HGb back up, once it has gone down. If you have a hemotologist or good hepatologist, perhaps you can call and ask about this drop. Not to scare you! It looks good and pretty normal for someone responding to tx.

Linda

[mikesimon]

They look good to me. I love to see enzymes drop like that. Good luck, Mike

[IAmTheWalrus]

You can certainly see the effect of TX on your blood counts. It looks similar to what I have experienced and what has been reported by others. It also appears that your liver functions have improved. This could be attributable to the TX also, though these values fluctuate a bit on their own.

Hang in there. UND at 3.5 weeks would be a great sign!

Brent

[medicmommy]

Nice tx response in you #s! I'm crossing all my fingers, toes, (and legs too, gtg potty! all this blasted water!LOL) that you are UND! If it's any reassurance, my #s had some significant drops as well, and welllll...You know my good news! Any day now!!!!Good luck!

[Trish77]

Hi Lorraine,

Your counts are looking good from my growing understanding of these things - so hopefully those who have been around the block will give you better feedback.  Your HGB went down as it seems to do in the first while but it's still a decent number.  Mine started around 13.x and went to 11.1 so I would say you probably noticed some fatigue in there as a result.  Your WBC looks okay too.  No concerns with that.  Nice drop in your ALT / AST.  

You can see the impact of the drugs in your numbers.  Now you wait for your VL and see how that turned out.  Here's hoping for a significant drop in that dept for you!

I hope you're doing okay and managing with the sides alright.

Regards,

Trish