Anyone with sudden WBC elevation while on Pegasys?

[Alexbits]

Hi. I started Pegasys 45mcg recently (today was my 4th injection). My WBC come down after first injection to 5.9 from 7.5. I never saw more than 8 for WBC in my blood test. Today, three weeks later I received my CBC which shows 9.1 for WBC and a bit elevated neutrophils. I'm a LITTLE bit concerned about this. Has anyone experienced this while on Pegasys? Thanks!

[fee13]

I don't know for sure but I think it may be due to the effect of pegasys kick starting your immune system.

[Alexbits in reply to fee13]

Who knows maybe...

[Snook37]

I am PV JAK2+. Just found out about 5-6 weeks ago. I just took third injection of 45 mcg today. Prior to pegasys, my WBC was 9.5, 9.5, 9.8, 7.6, and in week 2 of pegasys it went up to 13. Very bizarre. My platelets also increased, they were 370 prior to phlebotomies, then were in the 400s, and after 5th weekly phlebotomy they went to 760 when WBCs went to 13. I know it takes time but didn’t expect the spike prior to that. Also noticed my liver enzymes ticked up but just outside of normal. I will continue to keep an eye on it. Keep me updated on your progress. Likely has something to do with our systems reacting to introduction of pegasys given my stability before it. My hct should be in low 60s by now it was through the roof at over 70 when I started - around 73.

[Alexbits in reply to Snook37]

I had lower WBC , and HCT (47 - 48 - rarely 50) but higher platelet values 600-840 when I started to inject Pegasys. I had a WBC spike only in one blood result after first injections. I think you have the same. It never happened again with WBC. I also had a HCT spike to 47.8 two months ago. At the moment my WBC is 4.3, HCT 43, platelets 220. Give it some time, it should bring your counts down. Are you sure you're not mixing up your HCT (hematocrit) and hemoglobin? Never heard about HCT 70. This sounds more like hemoglobin 170.

By the way, your platelet situation is most likely due to phlebotomies. Your platelets were a bit raised already (but still in normal range). Your body reacts to phlebotomy like it was an injury and produces more platelets in response. When I asked my doctor about phlebotomies, he said that this can raise my platelets even more. You can double check this with your doctor.

[Snook37 in reply to Alexbits]

I’m in the US so not sure if it’s different. My hct was over 70 starting, hemoglobin was 24. Hemoglobin is now below 20. Need to get hct to 45 and hemoglobin to around 15.