White Blood Cell Count Low

  Hi, I am new to this and do not know if this has been asked before-- my white blood cell count is low some times and sometimes not? Is that a UC problem? Thanks,

Hi Goglo, welcome to Healingwell :) What meds are you on? Some medications can lower the WBC. Usually with UC our WBC is elevated because of inflammation. Do you know what your WBC is?

---

Hi Red, I take 2 asacol at noon 400's and 2 at supper. My white blood count was 2900. last week.

That does seem quite low. Mine are usually high and getting it lowered often helps with the UC condition (why steriods are often prescribed). How is your current condition with UC? If it is under control maybe you can take natural supplements that can aid the immune system function. I am sure that plenty of people on this form could recommend some... I've only encountered some here and there. Ginseng and probiotics are all that come to mind at the moment. In mentioning probiotics I've been reading how they can help regulate immune system response (which is good whether WBC is high or low); however, I am speaking very general, because specific probiotics perform this in fact and I imagine most supplements will contain the necessary healthy flora.

---

Pancolitis '04

2900 is a little low. A "normal" wbc is usually between 4000 and 10000. I was told that the steroids were part of what was making my WBC so high (it's been about 23000 for a few months). I was also told that a high wbc means that there is inflammation in the body somewhere. Is your doctor worried? How are you feeling?

---

Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, 15 mg pred. until immuran kicks in...
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---bumped to 100mg 10/8/07
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

Hi Goglo, I have struggled with a low WBC too. My GI doc was worried when it was at 3200 and wasn't going up. It eventually did go up, but its hasn't been over 4000 in a long time.  I'm on AZA now so they really have to watch me. But I went through the same thing before Aza and I was on Asacol as well(but quite a bit more than you are on). How long have you had trouble with this? Has your doc been watching your blood counts? That is always a concern of mine. Make sure your doc stays on top of that.

take care,

Donna

Hi,

 Thank-you all for your answers. Sometimes my WBC is normal and others low-- it was 2000 when I was about to have my galbladder out last Feb and my Dr. wanted to take it again so he did and it was 4000-- I have only been on the reduced dose of Asacol for about 3 mo. I started with 4 3 times a day and then down to 3 and now I took myself to 2 twice a day.. I have had flare ups and had to increase to 3 twice a day-- Since I have had UC I have had my galbladder out and low back pain and all sorts of interesting pains???? I really am confused??? I never had low colestrol untill I got this and now my HDL is still 88 like usual and tri. is 45 as usual but the LDL went up to 169??? I am also in menapause and can not get rid of the hot flashes !! HELP I am Falling apart !!!

 

I also take .100 synthroid, 500 cal. Zertec 10 ml. daily for the past 10 years-- vit. c 500 ml.

You need to find a doctor that can get to the bottom of all this. I don't believe it's normal to have such a drastic range for your wbc. Something has to be causing that. Oh and the evil menopause! I am not there but pretty darn close (perimenopausal) but I don't get the hot flashes but maybe once every month or two. I watched my MIL try to handle them and she was a mess too. Hang in there but seriously persue the matter about your wbc.

---

Ok will do !! It does make me conserned and I have read all about it on the web and it just scares me !! I do drink beer and I wonder if that makes it low/ My husband and I have a 32' boat that we stay on on the weekends and then we also drink beer on the water. I am at a loss and have a Dr. apt. on thursday !1 thank-you so much for answering me- !1 It makes me feel so much better to know I am NOT alone !!