White Blood cell count

[cathybu]

Hi, I have hypothyroidism. Have been on meds for past 10 years but last 12 months feel medication not working. My bloods have mentioned low whitelblood count, but my doctor has said I am fine. Am absolutely shattered a lot of the time. Now my white blood cell count has gone down slightly. Open to infections. Is there a connection, does anyone have similar experience?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

Hypothyroid people cannot absorb vitamins well from their food due to the low stomach acid it causes. This means that we get low if not deficient vitamin levels.

To be able to use our thyroid hormone well our bodies need OPTIMAL vitamin levels. Members in this group supplement to get vitamin levels to optimal.

I suggest you ask your GP to check your levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3. Start a new post when you get them, post results with ranges for each test and members will make suggestions.

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[missrees]

I have the same. Just a dropping of white blood cell count - and feeling absolutely exhausted all the time, but I don't pick up many infections. My GP too said nothing to worry about - that they look at the other results under the white blood cell count to see if there's anything worrying. If you want to believe them. Ha!

[McPammy]

I have low white blood cell counts now my thyroxine levels are higher. I take combined medication T4 levo and T3 Lio. Since starting the combination treatment I’ve had 12 full blood count tests. Out of 12 tests my white count has been abnormally low. Also my neutrophil count has been low in 2 occasions. Prior to combining T4 and T3 I was just on T4 levo med for over 10 years. In that period I only had one time that my white count was abnormally low and at the same time neutrophil abnormally low, that was a time when my GP upped my levothyroxine which sent me over medicated. I do believe it’s down to high amounts of thyroxine in your system and that it could be T4 levo or T3 lio meds. People who suffer with Graves’ disease over active, can live with low white blood counts I have read too. I do pick up viruses and infections much more regularly than I have in my past.

[jillyana]

Hi cathybu, I have hypothyroidism & get a lot of bladder infections. I was admitted to hospital a few weeks ago, as an infection had turned to sepsis. Although I had sepsis, no white blood cells were present in my blood. I have struggled all my life with severe infections & I definitely think my low white blood cell count is because of years of thyroid issues. Good luck & all the best x

[radd]

cathybu,

Welcome to our forum.

You don't say if you have Hashimotos but a low white blood cell count is common in long term Hashi, especially if you’ve been left untreated for years and unknowingly allowed the autoimmunity to run its course.

This is because it is the lymphocytes that become raised during Hashi attacks and the supply eventually wears down. There are other angles of the immune system that can still perform in protecting us from colds, etc but a general low white blood count means it is prudent to take more care with diet, lifestyle and environment.

Many members have inadequate vitamin/iron levels because of the effects of hypothyroidism but these are required to help Levothyroxine (& other hormones) work effectively. Therefore, it might be your nutritional status and thyroid meds that are the issue here.

Have you had ferritin, Vit B12, folate and Vit D tested recently?

Have you recent thyroid hormone test results to post?