Low White Blood Cell Counts May Indicate Early Stages of Parkinson’s

[Bolt_Upright]

I have not been diagnosed with PD. I have RBD and a sore shoulder and leg and a poor sense of smell, and my last blood test showed a low WBC so I went to Doctor Google and: Low White Blood Cell Counts May Indicate Early Stages of Parkinson’s parkinsonsnewstoday.com/202...

“In conclusion we report that lower lymphocyte count is associated with higher risk of subsequent diagnosis of PD in a large UK cohort,” the researchers wrote.

Evidence also suggested the relationship between low white blood cell counts and Parkinson’s may be causal, meaning one (low counts) leads to the other (the disease). More studies, however, will be needed to clarify this, the researchers wrote.

“PD is known to have a long latency between biological onset and clinical presentation. As such a proportion of the incident PD cases included may have been clinically incident but biologically prevalent at the time of [patient] recruitment,” the researchers wrote. “We cannot be certain that lymphopenia precedes biological disease onset and it could therefore be a marker of pre-clinical PD.”

Still, “there is evidence to support a mechanistic link between lower lymphocyte count and PD,” they continued. “Further work is required to replicate these findings in other cohorts, and to address the mechanisms underpinning this relationship.”

[kaypeeoh]

How low is the white count? How low is the PMN, lymphos and platelets?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to kaypeeoh]

WBC 3.1 L

RBC 3.85 L

Hgb 13.3

Hct 38.4

MCV 99.9 H

MCH 34.7 H

MCHC 34.7

RDW 12.7

PLT 195

MPV 8

[kaypeeoh in reply to Bolt_Upright]

In my veterinary practice I scanned blood test results for 40 years. Looking at yours I would diagnose you with anemia and parvo infection. And maybe worms.

[Grumpy77]

PD is not a badge of honor you know. Don't keep looking for it

[SilentEchoes in reply to Grumpy77]

To Bolt: thank you for your hard work doing research and dedication to spreading awareness to the wider community.

To Grumpy: your moniker is fitting.

To Everyone: we are more alike than we are different. NDD isn't a club anyone wants to join.

SE

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Grumpy77]

I am trying to find an off ramp while I still have neurons.

[JCRO in reply to Bolt_Upright]

that made me laugh, like a lot.

[HekateMoon in reply to Bolt_Upright]

😂😂😂😂😂good on you...if i find a ramp now i may end up rolling down...

[chartist in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Great idea, Bolt! I'm not saying there is a point of no return, but being proactive may offer benefit if there is!

Art

[MBAnderson in reply to Grumpy77]

Bolt is the smartest guy on the forum.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to MBAnderson]

Not by a long shot. But thanks

[MBAnderson in reply to Bolt_Upright]

You're the only person I've heard of who has anticipated PD and is trying to get in front of it (except possibly HekateMoon is doing the same.) Pretty smart in my book.

[HekateMoon in reply to MBAnderson]

I was MB...now im already dx...must change my bio..but at least i had a few strategies already...in my report the neuro wrote. Very strong cognition and very aware of PD. Lots thanks to you, guys. Never met any of you but im always happy to read you...feels like family, or better comrades on la journey to El Camino...

[Bolt_Upright in reply to HekateMoon]

You mentioning El Camino reminded me of a former President from Arkansas. He owned an El Camino.

[Godiv in reply to Bolt_Upright]

I agree. You’re very smart, Bolt. All the research you do is so helpful. I always learn something from it. And then you always crack me up because you usually note you’ve only been to high school. Well, I’ve got the college idducashon . But when it comes to this disease, I am frozen with fear and feel dumb as dirt. LOL. So I often count on you to help smarten me up. All your research and the knowledge that you’ve accumulated have been so helpful and most awesome!

[HekateMoon in reply to Godiv]

Godiv, the "Idducashon" word cracked me up...😂. I wonder if a laughter yoga class with the group woud be helpful. My pain has lessened reading a few humorous comments here and there. Apart from that, I completely echo everything else you say.

[Godiv in reply to HekateMoon]

I’m glad it did Hekate! Oh I think you’re exactly right. I bet laughter yoga would help us. We should try it as an experiment! I can maybe try something online. But that actually is a great idea either way!

[HekateMoon in reply to Godiv]

We shoul look into dr. madan Kataria, laughter yogas, creator. Is silly, its funny and hilarious. Dont know how could be done online. I used to facilitated them in person. After 40min laughter and moving around being silly, and deep breathing plus the last 10 min relax we felt all sooo alive. Then Covid and sickness hit

[Godiv in reply to HekateMoon]

I’m so sorry I took so long to respond! Definitely sounds like something worth checking into. And I didn’t even think about the deep breath ramifications with laughing yoga. Maybe it’s not as good but it seems like everything is just about online also nowadays. I was thinking about that also because I wondered if having a class and people contact helps and I’m sure it does. But if you’re stuck at home, maybe something online would be doable. I’ll have to look it up. And hopefully share if I find out anything in a more timely fashion LOL.

[Godiv in reply to HekateMoon]

I keep calling it laughing yoga. I know it’s laughter yoga now. I did find online classes via zoom that are live. And at least maybe one pre-recorded free class on YouTube. That is so wonderful that you facilitated a class. I bet people loved it. It was indeed very good for them I’m sure. So I’m going to research some more. This is really interesting.

[HekateMoon in reply to Godiv]

Godiv. I loved it and people loved it. Laughter yoga is great. It combines deep breath, clapping which activates pressure points and being very childlike and silly...on top of the laughter. Bless dr Kataria. He did massive classes in the squares of Bangalore...In addition to all this i also used to be a kiddies clown...wonder which of my bag of tricks can i use to be a good Pd advocate...lets talk more!!!This is a very good forum. Amazing people here. We need dopamine and laughter surely can help...

[Godiv in reply to HekateMoon]

That sounds wonderful! We all need to relax and laugh but it’s very difficult of course under the circumstances. I love your various “professions.“ Hmmm How can this be done?

[Bolt_Upright in reply to Godiv]

You are so kind. Thanks and you are welcome.

[HekateMoon in reply to MBAnderson]

We have a few...and fun too!

[SilentEchoes]

Just my opinion. We know that so called neurodegenerative diseases involve an inflammatory process like cancer and other autoimmunities, and that cancer and autoimmune disease often co-occur with NDDs.

We know that cancer can cause Paraneoplastic Syndromen, PNS neurological symptoms look like (are) ALS and are a consequence of limbic encephalitis and other associated neuronal antibodies.

Is it really too much of leap to conclude that NDDs are a form of or result of malignancy?

And then I see this story on a repurposed cancer drug that targets myeloid cells to treat neuro-inflammation in NDD. This isn't a coincidence.

mdlinx.com/news/repurposing...

And then we have Tregs (cell) involvement in ALS. Stanley Appel is the guru who has treated pALS with IVIG. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/317...

These aren't examples of correlation. Neuro-inflammation and autoimmunity are factors in NDDs and they are treatable. So why aren't we being treated? My opinion, the less we know the better, because the next step in patient learning is causation. As a group - we are powerful.

SE

[HekateMoon]

Im not a scientist but very intuitive and a long life learner. Your symptoms to me sound like the beginning symptoms i had and indeed many of us Parkys had. Before i got a formal diagnose i had a frozen shoulder, leg pain and dragging foot, unexplained pains, and a big history of stress. ( No loss of smell or micrography to this day)So everyone inc my very good dr. thought it was all related to my PSTD...to me it didnt fit. It had to be something else so I joined these forums, read, started on some vitamins and supplements and adjusted my diet and exercise. So i would say Bolt is not the only undiagnosed person in the forum. Your contributions, like everybody's contributions are appreciated. So keep searching, identifying and meanwhile taking care of yourself. I cannot but be grateful of your and everyone else's presence here. If at the end of the day it is not Pd you will have gained knowledge and tools and us, parkys will have gained a friend. Who says thats not a good thing?Chelo

[Bolt_Upright in reply to HekateMoon]

Thank you HekateMoon. I pretty much know. On the positive side, my face dandruff has cleared up and I can stand on one foot for about as long as I want (as long as I don't close my eyes). Before I could not stand on one foot with my eyes open.

[MBAnderson]

Bolt, You have PD. Deal with it.😜

[Bolt_Upright in reply to MBAnderson]

Thank you Marc. I have known something was seriously wrong for over 20 years. Sometimes it sucks to be smart.

[SilentEchoes in reply to Bolt_Upright]

My husband and I were just talking about this - sometimes I think life would be easier if I were dumb!! On the other hand, I don't know who I am without my intellect and if I don't have that then there's no purpose for me and it's time to let go. Fight like hell ppl.

SE

[HekateMoon in reply to Bolt_Upright]

You really think you may have had signals that long? I do...even longer even though i always blamed it on a difficult childhood...but unexplained pain and anxiety have been there a long time.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to HekateMoon]

I think some symptoms were just indicators of a predisposition, and then other symptoms were evidence that the cascade had been triggered. That is as far as I want to go down this road.

[HekateMoon in reply to MBAnderson]

😂you make me laugh, Mark which startled my poor dog, Cinnamon who was lying so chilled beside me...

[Bolt_Upright]

I just want to say that I have known something was very wrong for a very long time. Please don't ever think any suggestions here that I have PD or might have PD are taken poorly by me. What ever is wrong with me is about me (and almost certainly a result of poor life choices) and you are not making anything worse by offering your opinions. In fact, I appreciate the friendship and camaraderie. This is truly a wonderful community and is much appreciated.

[goldengrove]

You have a low white cell count and also a low red cell count but you haven't been supplied with the differential white cell counts - lymphocytes, neutrophils etc so you don't know if you have low lymphocytes. I'd repeat the full blood count in a few weeks - by then a viral infection would have resolved - and get the lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. Need to work out the cause if low count persists - maybe something in your stack? And the high mean cell volume raises the possibility of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

[Bolt_Upright in reply to goldengrove]

Thanks. These results are from Jan. We are redoing them in July (Dr wanted me to redo them in April but I dawdled).

[chartist]

Bolt,

I know you've already tried melatonin but it can help raise a low white blood cell count and it can lower a high count. It also can help to raise a low RBC count as well as Hgb count. I won't bother you with links because you can find them easily enough. Melatonin is a smart molecule that works toward the normalization of the animal, plant and human systems.

That's why it is made in the mitochondria, brain, gut and even red blood cells. Melatonin can also block or increase Autophagy depending on what is needed to maintain the system correctly. The same with Mitophagy, up or down as needed. Melatonin receptors are found throughout the body, but these also decline with age and in PD and other diseases.

These are a few reasons why I consider melatonin a smart molecule that happens to decline with age and even more so with PD when compared to healthy age matched controls. If oral dosing is not agreeable, I have already listed multiple ways to increase melatonin levels naturally which comes with no side effects, except improved health.

Art

[Bolt_Upright in reply to chartist]

Thank you Art. Very considerate of you.

Melatonin is always tempting. The only documented reversals of PD I have read about included using Melatonin.

I may give it another try. I know there is more than one entry point for Melatonin

I am still sticking to a rigid bedtime.

Thanks!