Immune disorder

[vickilou]

Hi people, as I have not posted for ages, I suffer from hypothyroidism and have since I was 6. I take levothyroxine 100mcg one day and 125mcg the next. I had been feeling very unwell and lethargic since February, and back and forward to doctors for blood tests, I also had 3 urine infections in last 5 months. Eventually a doctor said I should go and see a specialist as my white blood count had been very low since February, we were then in June. I have a family history of Leukaemia, my brother died of it in the 60s, my Dad died of it 12yrs ago and his brother, my uncle is suffering from it now, So the Doctor said it might be possible, so he sent me to see the heamotologist at the hospital. I have been Waiting and Fretting whilst they did every blood test under the sun, to find out what was wrong with me. I have carried on working as a support worker for people with learning disabilities, but have been going out of my mind with worry. I got my Results Yesterday, it is Immune Neutropenia, so they say, and the doctor thinks its a secondary immune disorder brought on by my underactive thyroid, and age. The Doctor reckons all I need is a 3month blood check of my white cells, nothing more. I am generally well apart from tiredness and bruising very easily, and I do suffer from sinus headaches a lot, but nothing I cant put up with really. I would just like to know if anyone else with thyroid issues has this immune problem too. ???

[humanbean]

Neutropenia and neutropaenia get mentioned on here fairly often. I don't know anything about the condition, sorry. You can see the search results for both search terms here :

healthunlocked.com/search/n...

healthunlocked.com/search/n...

[puncturedbicycle]

I'm sorry, I know only a bit about the condition as a consequence of chemotherapy as my mother was treated for breast cancer last year.

Have you read up a bit? I understand they sometimes do injections to stimulate wbc production but there are side effects and I'm not sure if this would help if the cause is AI.

I wonder if the protocol of reducing antibodies might apply the same as w other AI issues.

In any case I wanted to wish you luck as your worries are coming through loud and clear in your post. Keep us updated on your situation.

[vickilou]

Thanks for replies, I was scared to death after my GP told me it could be early signs of leukaemia having had 3 members of family with it, and when I started looking neutropenia up my fears were just made worse. I now know the connection with the thyroid which to start with had no clue this could be the reason I have developed neutropenia, Its the fact that they are both immune system problems, and I guess as I have had my under active thyroid since I was 6yrs old, I stood a much bigger chance of developing another immune disorder on top. I have been told by heamotologist that they will monitor my white blood count every 3 months, but will not need any treatment, unless it drops further. I am just so relieved its not leukaemia as you can imagine....

[vickilou]

my doctor will not refer me to the endrincologist, so I wrote a letter to one of them at our local hospital, I was told that since I have been on levothyroxine for so many years that the t3 test would not show the correct result therefore he declined my request for an appointment, basically saying my age will not help my situation.

[vickilou]

I get the feeling that once you pass the age of 50 you are not considered worth treating, too expensive, very sad but ringing too true for my friends and family too .

[marigold22]

I'm now 66 years old and I fully recovered my health in October this year, despite being very ill (diagnosed as Hypo in 1981, then discovered its Hashimotos via a private blood test in January 2017) for 3+ decades. You say you get the feeling that once you pass the age of 50, you're considered not worth treating. You keep on going - try to use this forum and learn as much as you can. I haven't read all of your posts yet, I'm dashing to get to an appointment ----- I can dash these days, it's wonderful.......... I will read your past posts and reply later. Big hugs