WBC down to 1.15, after 1st chemo

[Skifanatic]

I had my first of six chemo treatments (Docetaxel + Carboplatin) on 11/10. Took my blood test yesterday. My White Blood Cell (WBC) count dropped to 1.15. My doctor’s office called and put me on Levofloxasin (500 mg/day for seven days). Is this normal, or alarming? What does it indicate is happening inside? Other numbers on the report are: Lymph#, 0.72; Lymph’s, 62.0; Neutrophil#, 0.31; Neutrophils, 27.0. I’ve seen some discussion about ratios, but not sure which ones to calculate and how they apply post-chemo. Thanks for any input you can provide.

[Tall_Allen]

Have you taken Neulasta (or similar)? They are worried that with your low count, you can get an infection. So they are giving you a prophylactic antibiotic.

[Skifanatic in reply to Tall_Allen]

They opted to go with the antibiotic versus Neulasta as of now. I just wasn’t aware if this level of decrease in WBC is normal, or not…and whether it indicates anything positive or negative about what effect the chemo is having. With these numbers, we’re going into serious Covid protocols to avoid as much as possible the possibility of infection. Thanks TA for response. Appreciate how helpful you are to members of this site.

[HopingForTheBest1]

You should be getting Neulasta after each chemo treatment.