Although my white cell count has risen to just... - CLL Support

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Although my white cell count has risen to just 35 in two years I am unable to overcome colds etc, easily. Do you have any suggestions ?

barmouthb2 profile image
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barmouthb2
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Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero

Repeated viral infections especially of the air ways may indicate low levels immunoglobulins, particularly IgA. You should have your immunoglobulin levels checked, perhaps.

barmouthb2 profile image
barmouthb2 in reply toCllcanada

Thank you. Do I arrange this through my GP or refer back to hospital ?

Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero

Try your GP, mine won't do it because it is CLL related...so I have it done by my haematologist. Call them both andask.

Here is the test info...

labtestsonline.org/understa...

~chris

barmouthb2 profile image
barmouthb2 in reply toCllcanada

Thank you. Most appreciated.

poing profile image
poing

When my iron levels were poor I caught cold after cold. It's just one of many things that affect immunity though.

I was under the impression that only two things had been clinically proven to shorten the duration of a cold: zinc and vitamin C.

barmouthb2 profile image
barmouthb2

Hi poing,

Thank you for this. Are you saying that by introducing iron tablets you have reduced your vulnerability to cold-like infections?

barmouthb2

poing profile image
poing in reply tobarmouthb2

Yes, it seems so for me. But you should only take iron if you have a proven deficiency because high iron levels are harmful. You would need to ask your doctor to check your iron levels and ferritin.

Also do not take iron while you have an active cold because it can actually make it worse. All pathogens love iron! Roughly speaking, ferritin is measure of your iron stores. However, when you have an infection, ferritin is raised - the body shunts some of the iron into this storage protein to keep it away from the invading virus.

barmouthb2 profile image
barmouthb2 in reply topoing

Many thanks poing. If I may say so a very informative post.

Beest Wishes

barmouthb2

Tanagergreen profile image
Tanagergreen

For the first time ever my haematologist has started me on weekly subcutaneous immunoglobulin perfusions which I shall be able to do myself at home. This is to boost my damaged immune system and will continue until April next year. I can't tell you yet how well this will protect me from infection, but it is certainly something worth discussing with your haematologist. Where possible I avoid crowds too, and carry hand gel with me to use after shopping, before and after eating in a restaurant etc.

barmouthb2 profile image
barmouthb2 in reply toTanagergreen

Extremely interesting and thank you for taking time to address the problem. I shall certainly ask my doctor whether he feels it would be of benefit to myself. I too carry hand gel with me and have begun a rigorous hand washing routine.

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