Low white blood cells and platelets

[FarahS]

hi there,

I’m 44 year old female living in Scotland and my recent bloods are pointing to PBC. I’m still waiting on my AMA results but given my raised ALP and GGT, and Fib4 score of 2.43 it seems to be pointing in that direction.

anyway my question is - since my last full blood count my white blood cells (all of them) seems to have dropped to just below borderline levels including my platelets.

I have made some major diet changes (cutting out dairy, red meat, refined sugars, salt, processed foods etc), and I’m wondering if anyone as experienced the same? Any recommendations on how to raise white and platelet counts if even just a margin? I’m also walking and exercising regularly (well within reason not like I gym everyday…maybe walk 20-30mins minimum and gym once a week).

Thank you so much!

Farah.

[gillrich]

Hi best to join the pbc foundation they always have up to date and accurate advice .Office is in Edinburgh. Pbcfoundation.org.uk Membership is free but donations greatly appreciated asit is a charity organisation

I have had pbc nearly 20 years

And an one of 2 Nottingham volunteers for the foundation.

You will become part of a pbc family from around the world mainly sister but a few brothers too xx

All the best

[FarahS in reply to gillrich]

oh apologies I thought this was the PBC foundation. I’ll go to the website and try to register now thank you!

[gillrich in reply to FarahS]

Glad able to help xx

[Chris21 in reply to gillrich]

is this forum not part of the PBC foundation? I thought it was or is this run by someone not associated with the foundation.

[Candy12 in reply to Chris21]

This forum is hosted by the Foundation, but is not the foundation. Robert pinned a really good post explaining it, have a read it’s still pinned on the right of the screen. So to join the PBC Foundation as a member you go to their web site. They also have Facebook page where they do all sorts of interactions the best one is obviously the Q&A sessions with their medical doctors. Hope that helps

[FarahS in reply to Candy12]

yeah I’ve just done that thank you!

[Chris21 in reply to Candy12]

thank you Candy, I did join the PBC at the same time as linking with the hub but it didn’t actually ‘click’ that they weren’t the same.

[Michi1]

First, good for you on the dietary changes! It really can make a difference. Are you taking ursodiol? I did a nutrition-only intervention with monthly blood testing and until I started taking urso my ALP continued climbing. The good news is seven years later my liver labs are in the lower end of normal and my fibroscan score has gone from 8.2 to 4.1.

I’ve never heard of white cell counts being related to PBC.

[FarahS in reply to Michi1]

Hi michi thanks for ur reply. Truth be told I’m awaiting my diagnosis still but my gp is pretty convinced given my liver function tests that it is PBC…just waiting for confirmation.

I am also awaiting other autoimmune test results which might be the reason for my declining white bloods and platelets….I’ve read it’s common for PBC to be accompanied with at least one other autoimmune. I for sure have raynauds phenomenal which is when my extremities go white and numb from slight coldness…which isn’t ideal given I live in Scotland 🤣

[Michi1 in reply to FarahS]

i’ll be thinking of you and hoping for the best but just know there’s a lot we can do with lifestyle changes that can have a big impact on autoimmune conditions … all of them, not just PBC.

[Kakey]

FarahS there's a lot of misinformation out there, it's best to take advice from experts in the condition, like the PBC Foundation.