Stress and Elevations?

[Teddy405]

Hi fellow CLLers. It has been some time since I posted. Last May I was laid off from my job. At that time my wbc was 16000. September I started a new job that I wasn’t crazy about, but sometimes we have to do what we have to do. Thanksgiving I wind up with severe back and leg pain (2 herniated discs and a pinched nerve). Not able to work. Two rounds of epidurals and PT. My job let’s me go January 31, 2018. Recent blood test, wbc 29,900. Everything else is normal, but my iron count is elevated. I am attributing this to stress and the inflammation my body is going through. Any thoughts?

[Newdawn Administrator]

I’m absolutely convinced that systemic inflammation and stress raises our WBC and mine has certainly done so at times. The differential in your WBC isn’t massive over that period of time and it’s known that steroidal injections (epidurals) can raise our WBC as well as glucose levels. However, medically they like to eliminate the possibility of infection first.

The raise in your iron level needs further exploration but you’re still at relatively low levels and going through an intensely difficult time with physical pain and employment issues. Try to take it easier on yourself although I appreciate from experience that it’s easier said than done. I found a TENS machine helped with the back/leg pain.

Regards,

Newdawn

[Teddy405 in reply to Newdawn]

Thank you for your feedback. It is greatly appreciated.

[Spacee]

I listened to a video posted here awhile back. One of the MDAnderson docs said that stress would raise the white count. Even just driving in Houston to the doctor visit. So sorry for what you are going through!

Linda

[MelioraDay]

The Detailed Mechanism for Steroid or Glucocorticoid Induced Demargination of White Blood Cells (WBC)

Summary:

Glucocorticoid induced demargination of neutrophils is one of the main contributors to the increase in white blood cell (WBC) counts seen with initiation of such therapy. The neutrophil uses cell adhesion molecules called L-selectin to loosely attach itself to the endothelial lining of the blood vessel.L-selectin adhesion molecules undergo constant turn over as it moves long the blood vessel. As L-selectin is removed from the cell surface by the enzyme sheddase, it is replaced by newly produced L-selectin from within inside the neutrophil.Glucocorticoids are known to decrease gene transcription of L-selection thereby decreasing the amount produced and transferred to the surface to replace recently shed L-selectin. Without this replacement, the neutrophil will detach (or undergo "demargination") to then enter into the circulatory compartment.

ebmconsult.com/articles/dem...

Stress, as well as steroids (glucocorticoids) causes demargination of neutrophils and increase circulating neutrophils

[jbctx]

Teddy, I have had similar career setbacks of late, unfortunately you are not the only one. On a slightly different note, I have been tracking my WBC since 2012 starting at 25k ending at 84k and once peeking at 121k. There is a fairly close correlation between high stress and peeks. That said, in my opinion, "yes" stress is a factor.

[Cleggett]

I have found my white count and lymphocytes have gone down with stress. It's been a very stressful year for me, my daughter was diagnosed with stage 3 aggressive triple negative breast cancer, and has gone through 6 months of I.V. chemotherapy, double mastectomy, 25 rounds of radiation and another 6 months of chemotherapy tablets. Her baby was 5 months when diagnosed and they also have a three year old and a 6 year old with Down Syndrome. Now that she is finished all treatment last Monday the real stress starts with the worry it will come back. My WBC has gone from 82 to 56 and lymphocytes from 78 to 52, first time they have come down since I was diagnosed in July 09, I'm still W&W.

[gardening-girl in reply to Cleggett]

So sorry to hear about your daughter's struggles. Hopefully you can stay strong & healthy to be there for her.

[Cleggett in reply to gardening-girl]

Thanks

[Teddy405 in reply to Cleggett]

So sorry about your daughter. Remaining positive with a good attitude helps me. I have always been told that we are given only what we can handle. Sometimes I wonder about that.

[Cleggett in reply to Teddy405]

Thanks, I have heard that too, but sometimes wonder about it.