White blood count

[Heather53]

Hi

My white blood count is very low, does anyone know what the hospital can do to increase it? My doctor said rest , but I can't do that every time it gets low I will loose my job

Any help would be great .

Thanks

[PMRpro]

Not sure how rest would help - it is the medication you are on which suppresses your immune system. If it gets too low then they may adjust the dose.

In the meantime try to avoid people with infections as you may be more likely to catch them and if you do check with your doctor. Washing your hands lots helps avoid picking up bugs when out and about - and while it sounds boring, so does avoiding crowds in general.

And do point out to your doctor that rest and work don't always mix! Not everyone gets the sort of sick leave he will but they tend not to think of that.

[Purpletop]

i would understand it if the levels would go slightly under, given the meds we take. But if the levels are very low, you need to be properly investigated by an immunologist to see why. Resting won't replenish your blood cells, addressing its cause might.

[Hidden]

Do you have a high band cell count on your CBC?

[Heather53 in reply to Hidden]

I don't know the doctor was concerned about wbc only trying to get hold of the hospital . What does cbc mean please ? All new to this . What range should I be and if high what does that mean ? Thank you need all the help I can get just now .

[Hidden in reply to Heather53]

CBC is complete blood count. Usually you need a manual CBC to get a range on the band white blood cells (WBCs). You can look up more info online. If you can get the results please post.

[mariearmstrong]

you can live with low white blood cell count. the only issue is when you do get ill, your white blood cell count will raise up to a normal level and doctors wont catch the signs unless they know you have lupus and normal white blood cell count is usually low for you. this happened to me when I got pneumonia. my wbc numbers are usually around 1 or 2, for some reason they came back at 7 (which is normal in non lupus patient) and the doctor sent me home. a week later I got an xray that revealed a big infection in my lung. so even when I looked like I was on deaths doorstep, the doctor took the blood test to be his only evidence and sent me home, when I needed to be hospitalized.

[Fennella02 in reply to mariearmstrong]

Yes! I get this type of scenario too. My Rheumy believes that my low WBC is indicative of disease activity and is keen to see it increase. The moment it limps up to 4 or 5 (in response to infection) both he and my GP cmoment on the 'improvement'. Only my very astute Rheumatology nurse can see what is really going on.

Mine is chronically very low but I don't seem to get infections any more than anyone else. I do keep away from crowded stuffy places as much as I can.

[PMRpro in reply to Fennella02]

"Only my very astute Rheumatology nurse can see what is really going on."

I hear that sort of comment SO often!

[Heather53 in reply to Fennella02]

Thank you for your reply . My count is 1.5 and I work in an office . I do use antibacterial on my hands .but now need to get better but how ?

[Madlottie]

My neutrophils are consistently low and have been for the last 3 years. I only take hydroxychloroquine so it is not drug induced. I have my bloods monitored every 3 months. I haven't had any notable bacterial infections so clearly it is not a major concern. The count has dropped below what is my 'normal' this week so I am going to talk to the rheumatologist at my out patients appointment next week. I will feedback if anything new is suggested.

[Bebe76]

Low white blood counts could indicate your lupus is 'active'. Meds can also cause this. Rest will not help. You need to get your rheumatologist to investigate further. When I am in a flare my WBC drop.

[Heather53]

Hi

What do they give you to bring wbc up to normal ?

Thanks

[Cann]

Addressing stress levels and eating a good healthy diet can help the body to rebalance itself.