Low WBC & Neutrophils

[MBBS]

Hi,

I am a 32 yr old male, have some high tryglycerides, anxiety history and a generally worried personality.

For last couple of years,  in repeat tests my WBC count and Neutrophils have been showing low, but my family doctor says its nothing to be worried about. Could you please advise if it is normal and what might be causing this?

Following are the details of results, starting with the latest first:

Oct. 2008  -  WBC 3.7 & Neutrophils 1.5
Oct. 2007  -  WBC 3.8 & Neutrophils 1.4
Sep. 2007  -  WBC 3.2 & Neutrophils 1.4
Dec. 2006  -  WBC 5.4 & Neutrophils 2.5
Nov. 2006  -   WBC 3.4 & Neutrophils 1.4
Jun. 2006  -   WBC 4.2 & Neutrophils 1.8

Thanks in advance,
-Ray

[davie85]

Hi there, the concern with low WBC is recurrent infections and prolonged infections. If you do not have either of these, then the low WBC shouldn't be a concern for you. Taking into account your history of anxiety and worrisome personality, I take it that you are a fairly stressed individual. Stress increases the level of circulating stress hormones like cortisol which can actually dampen your immune system. That's why people who are chronically stressed out are more prone to infections than those who are not. Trying to find ways to keep yourself relaxed will help keep your mind and body healthy. Good luck!

[PaulMD]

Hi.

WBC counts are affected by a lot of factors, especially nutritional status, work, viral infections and stress.  If you have no recurrent infections or other symptoms pertaining to low resistance to infections, then I believe this 'low WBC' scenario may not be clinically significant.  In the field of medicine, laboratory results are just requested to complement a clinical impression, and an abnormal laboratory not in the context of any clinical symptoms would somewhat be irrelevant.

If none of your researches or consults would give you a peace of mind, then you can talk to your primary doctor about a hematologist referral.

Regards.