Low Lymphocytes while on Zytiga-Prednisolone, and Lupron

[TEBozo]

Only abnormality on my blood work has been lowered absolute lymphocytes. in 18th month of treatment and done Sept 1st.

Anyone know how serious this is? Has anyone experienced this, too?

[Tall_Allen]

Are you getting more infections? Why is this a concern?

[TEBozo in reply to Tall_Allen]

No infections; just concerned that my Lymphocytes are low, 351

[timotur]

TE: Is your ALC improving? Wasn't it around 500 a few months ago? After Brachy/IMRT/ADT mine dropped to a low of 250, but recovered to 500 within a few months after radiation, still has a long way to go back to my baseline of 1150. Congrats on finishing ADT soon, does that mean you have a final shot on Sept 1, or that's the end of an injection cycle?

This study suggests it may take up to 5 years for ALC to return to baseline after pelvic node radiation.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[TEBozo in reply to timotur]

Means that I am done with Zytiga and prednisone and monthly Lupron shots 17/18. Last shot 08/25/20. Thanks

[pjoshea13]

Do you have the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio [NLR]?

It is a measure of inflammation & linked to prognosis. However, inflammation can be dealt with.

See my post from 4 years ago:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

Best, -Patrick

[TEBozo in reply to pjoshea13]

5506/351

What does this mean?

[pjoshea13 in reply to TEBozo]

Your NLR ratio is >15 and, ideally, it should be <3.

If this is something new, it's likely due to the Prednisolone, which does lower Lymphocytes.

See: healthunlocked.com/advanced...

-Patrick

[TEBozo in reply to pjoshea13]

Thanks, my Quest lab reports show my historical data since March 2019 and I'll check. What might be the ramifications of a higher ratio and, if it is caused by inflammations, treatment options?

[pjoshea13 in reply to TEBozo]

An elevated NLR is associated with a poorer response to a number of treatments. The treatments are actually a red herring. A high NLR is associated with increased 5-year mortality regardless of one's situation.

NLR is a marker of inflammation & I discuss what might be done in:

healthunlocked.com/advanced...

-Patrick

[TEBozo in reply to pjoshea13]

Thanks; so I have a poor ratio and reducing my body's inflammation will be helpful once I get off Lupron and Zytiga? One has to make it simple for me! LOL. Thank you.

[pjoshea13 in reply to TEBozo]

Don't wait. Do what you can to lower inflammation now, -Patrick

[treedown in reply to pjoshea13]

Is this silimiar to the Lymphocyte to Platelet Ratio? Or was it the Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio?

[TEBozo in reply to treedown]

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio

[treedown]

I have low lymphocytes and have since Feb 2020. Really bothered me but my Dr has said he is not concerned since I have not seen any major infections. I got down to 221 and am back up to almost 600. Next blood test tomorrow. I feel fine and always have so decided to stop focusing on it.

[TEBozo in reply to treedown]

are we immune suppressed?

[treedown]

I asked my Dr that question and his answer was yes.

[TEBozo in reply to treedown]

That sucks. Saw a study suggests ADT patients have more resistance to COVID

[treedown]

I saw the studies, as well as their mention on this forum. I read it as we are less likely to get it but I have been wrong enough to know I could be again. I have not seen much new info on this subject recently so may be time to Google. I plan on hunkering down for quite awhile.