Is there a link between neutropenia and hypothyroidism?

[Guineapiggy]

I have had a very low neutrophil count for the last 4 years. Has anyone heard of a connection between this and being hypothyroid?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Seems to be plenty of articles on google

Eg

whitelotusclinic.ca/blog/dr...

[Jasp6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon - a very interesting read. I had mild neutropenia and lower in range ft3 on my last bloods. I don’t know if either are contributing to my slow progress in fighting off suspected covid. I am now 8 weeks in and going through another dip. On a positive note i have never been bad enough to be hospitalised.

[Guineapiggy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the link. I have searched a lot with various criteria but that link did not come up. My neutropenia has been intermittent but the last blood test revealed the lowest it has ever been. I think it may be connected to my reduction in dose of medication.

I was taking 90mg Metavive with 50mcg levothyroxine daily and this was a bit too much and my private doctor suggested just using the Metavive so that my thyroid would not be suppressed too much and to see if I could produce more of my own hormone, but it has resulted in my T3 and T4 being too low [even though my TSH is still very depressed] so I am adding back 50mcg levo every other day to see if that is better,

I am due for a repeat blood test next week but that may be too soon to see if the increase in medication will increase the neutrophil count.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Guineapiggy]

TSH is often suppressed when on thyroid hormone replacement. The most important results are always Ft3, followed by Ft4

Come back with new post once you get next set of results

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

[Guineapiggy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. My folate, ferritin and Vit.D have been ok but my B12 always very high. I do supplement but it seems a high B12 does not cause harm (unless it is high because I am not utilising it properly).

I cannot understand why my GPs always insist I am over medicated only based on low TSH and still don't look at the T3 /T4 levels, then they could see for themselves that I was not. Each time I have to tell them that medications containing T3 suppress TSH, even an endochrinologist I have seen and the Medichecks doctors. To me, this is something basic that they should know and that suppressed TSH is only relevant when associated with high thyroid hormone levels.

[silverfox7 in reply to Guineapiggy]

Snap! I’m taking NDT and my consultant is still telling my GP that we must get my TSH higher! Never going to happen!

I’m also trying to think back to my working days and blood tests. Is it Neutrophils that have a very low range?

[silverfox7 in reply to silverfox7]

It was basophils I was thinking of but just checked on neutrophils and saying it’s low if low in iron, B12, folate. You mention that your B12 is very high so possible tgen that you aren’t untilising it but I’ve also seen the suggestion of getting folate tested done once you have other results in then I should query the not utilising B12 and ask doctor, if not helpful, to send you to haematology if you aren’t already on that track.

[Guineapiggy in reply to silverfox7]

The haematologist is aware but, as it has been intermittent, suggested monitoring it for now. He hasn't seen the new low 0.6 (2.0-7.0). I think it correlates with my lower T3/T4 levels.

The folate is 17.8 ug/L (3-20) and B12 706 ng/L (180-640). I asked for the D and ferritin at the last test but it was left off so I hope they will be done next week.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Guineapiggy]

Exactly...if they understood that we wouldn’t have over 107,000 members on here...thousands of whom are forced to self source thyroid hormones in order to have any semblance of reasonable quality of life

[tj61]

Hi, just read this and it reminded me of what happened to me years ago. With the knowledge I have now, I imagine that my thyroid caused low stomach acid and I got reflux symptoms and was prescribed Omeprazole. Not long after I developed low neutrophils that lasted for several months - I was referred to Haematologist but before they made any diagnosis, neutrophils went up again. Could never decide if the low neutrophils were related to Omeprazole but I think I found it listed as a rare side effect - so if you happen to be on Omeprazole, maybe worth a thought. Hope you get well soon!

[Guineapiggy in reply to tj61]

Thanks for your reply. Fortunately, I haven't had digestive issues and don't take omeprazole. I sometimes take betaine hcl because, as you say, hypothyroidism is supposed to cause low stomach acid but I haven't noticed that it makes any difference to my digestion. I never have reflux but if I did then I would take the hcl with each meal as increasing stomach acid is supposed to prevent reflux.