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Low White Blood Cell Count

T

TheMutts

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi folks,
Three months ago, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. That in itself took a while to sink in and still have my down days now but a new worry has surfaced...
While being diagnosed, blood samples were obviously taken. My blood sugar was understandably high, however, it was highlighted that my White Blood Cell Count was a tad low. To follow this up, my doctors sent me for blood tests each month and each time the count has come back lower!
Had a phone call from my GP yesterday asking for me to go as soon as possible for another blood test and a urine test too after my latest blood results from last week.
Has anyone else had this issue or should I be worried as much as I am??
 
I don't know whether you should be worried but I have noticed a similar issue with my white blood count. When I look up my results on EMIS I see that I am outside the acceptable range on the low side. No-one has ever brought this up at a review and so I assumed it was to do with age or not something to get fussed about.

At my next review I will ask more. I read somewhere that you get a lower count as you get older so maybe that's all it is.
 
I'm hoping it's just a blip but concerned when my doctor said my count has dropped each time.
Thank you so much for your reply.
 
Hi Gabrielle,
My GP said he'll have to refer me all according to what the results are from yesterday's tests.
 
I had / have a similar thing, which my surgery have now closed the case on. I wish I could remember a youtube I saw on this. One potential answer (paraphrasing as best as I can) is that due to having low inflamation in the body you do not need to produce so many, which in that case is an excellent outcome.

For 3 months I stuffed extra spinach at meal times and added a little more red meat (even when I had fish) - my white count remained the same. This may not be the same for you so ask your surgery to keep testing regularly.
 
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My father has just been investigated for something very similar (low wbc count) but subsequent testing saw the levels rise again.

The consultant concluded that it was probably long term over exertion (he is 86, an enthusiastic gardener, and had been flogging himself mercilessly all Summer).

They are going to call him back in for a check in a couple of months.

Obviously, this may not be relevant to you, in your situation, but it does demonstrate that these things can be benign and nothing to worry about. I hope that is the case for you as well as my father.
 
Are your bloods under the target level?

My whites have been low and either below or just above the target level for just over 2 years now.

My docs never looked in to as all they go by is my total blood count and even though other things are under target too, they are still signed off as normal..

However, for me I have seen my blood levels dip and dive since radiotherapy and cancer treatment and although my doctors file away under normal, I have given all the details going back to 2012 to my Professor and now waiting for him to tell me 1) I'm OTT or 2) haemotologist or 3) oncologist.

I think its an overall picture they look at more... for me they do focus on my anaemia aspect of blood counts though and thats why I have been told to eat broccoli everyday.. because I cant get iron from many sources due to a bad behaved stomach/colon.

I would wait to see what Doc Is going to review with you, and be grateful that you have a doc that looksin to detail of bkoods rather than the labs that say as a general "ok"....
 
I've never had an issue in the past with my bloods before being diagnosed with Diabetes which is why I'm concerned now but also wondered if it's linked.
I'm glad my doctors are being cautious and looking into it but I'm finding it hard to be positive. I'm split in two. One half has accepted my condition but the other half is in denial and keeps looking for answers. I guess I'm looking for good news as it's been a lot to take in over the past 3 months.
 
I've literally just had a call from the doctors and it's good news. My White Blood Cells are in the normal range. He actually can't understand how it's gone back to normal in 5 days. He did say that he does know of cases where a person's WBCC can dip once a month and I could be one of those people and just unfortunate that my previous tests were conducted at those times. This is great news and some weight off my shoulders. However, my GP does want me to have a follow up blood test next month... Glad they are still keeping an eye on it.
Thank you all so much for your support and replies, you've been a great help
 
Although hard, please dont fret... as those thoughts are going to just make you anxious.

Your body will be taking time to adjust pre diagnosis to now. Diabetes is in our blood and so it can affect other organs and blood levels etc..

What is your diet like since diagnosis. I know my limited eating affects every aspect of my blood counts... (other problems besides diabetes and not complications of diabetes either).

You must still get on and enjoy life no matter what it unfolds..... so please dont get anxious around low white cell count. Dr Google can be frightening... I still do Dr Google, but I think-"right how can I improve this, not woe is me"....

Make sure you are getting a good all round balance of vitamins and minerls in your diet... check that you are, dont just think you are... you may be having too much of say vit A or calcium etc..

How muchh have your levels dropped by? Are they still low in target or low below target level?

Infections can also cause low counts of various kinds in our blood breakdown too.
 
The doctor has just called me and said they are back upto normal now which is really weird but are still keeping an eye on it. The good news is that it's nothing to worry about but it's so hard not to get anxious.
He thinks I could be one of those people who's count drops once a month for no reason.
My diet is OK and eat fairly healthily. Even though I inject myself with insulin, I do my best to keep my carbs low but not much lower prediagnosis.
 
Mine too fluctuates.. went from 7 for years down to 3.6 for a few and generally now about 4.2....

Our bloods do change day to day... month by month... it is good that you have a GP that looks at the fine detail rather than the whole overall.

I was a low/lower carbs. Still am about 50 ish per day but have to eat mushy veg so this shoves my carb load up higher...

Glad you got phone call back from GP.

Now, ENJOY CHRISTMAS!!
 
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