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Low white blood cell (WBC) count on low-carb diet

Discussion in 'Ask A Question' started by finsit, Jul 8, 2021.

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  1. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    My blood results are back. My WBC gone down to 5 from 6.5, still low normal range was bit anxious and did some Googling. Here is an interesting thread that i found

    https://www.reddit.com/r/ketogains/comments/offyfn/the_results_dont_lie_more_protein_and_strength/

    So anyone of you who has been on a low-carb diet can share how it affected their white blood count? Is it really due to less inflammation and less need of immune system or it's an issue with keto/low carb diet?

    Thanks, as always.
     
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    #1 finsit, Jul 8, 2021 at 1:24 PM
  2. LaoDan

    LaoDan Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    I had those checked when I was diagnosed. I haven’t since, nor do I have a baseline measurement. been thinking about getting full tests so I can track
     
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    #2 LaoDan, Jul 9, 2021 at 9:07 AM
  3. AndBreathe

    AndBreathe I reversed my Type 2 · Expert
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    In UK white blood cell count is part of a basic NHS FBC panel, so I think many of us have this from time to time.
     
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    #3 AndBreathe, Jul 9, 2021 at 9:27 AM
  4. Bluetit1802

    Bluetit1802 Type 2 (in remission!) · Legend

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    I have a full blood count (amongst other things) every time I have an HbA1c, which pre-covid was twice a year. My WBC count has always been within the normal range of 4 to 11, and averages over 7. Currently 7.5. I have followed a low carb diet since 2014. I am unmedicated - no prescription drugs for anything and I am aged 73. I think our age matters as we tend to lose some immunity the older we are.
     
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    #4 Bluetit1802, Jul 9, 2021 at 10:08 AM
  5. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Just out of curiosity, how many carbs you eat in a day? This might have to do with number of carbs. I have been on below 30 a day.
     
    #5 finsit, Jul 9, 2021 at 10:55 AM
  6. Bluetit1802

    Bluetit1802 Type 2 (in remission!) · Legend

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    I no longer count my carbs. However, during 2014 I dropped to about 20g most days and stayed between 20 and 30 for a long time. I have no idea how many I eat these days, but it is more than that. Definitely under 100g, less most days. My WBC count has been consistent enough throughout.
     
    #6 Bluetit1802, Jul 9, 2021 at 2:12 PM
  7. Rokaab

    Rokaab Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Do note that other things can cause a lower white cell blood count anyway, not everything is caused by diabetes or what you're doing to try and manage it
     
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    #7 Rokaab, Jul 9, 2021 at 2:19 PM
  8. Rachox

    Rachox Type 2 (in remission!) · Moderator
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    Here’s a graph of my white cell count from my medical records. I was diagnosed in the spring of 2017 when my reading was over 8, I reduced my carbs gradually after diagnosis and have kept at 45g or less of carbs per day for a long time now.

    6CF7BDCF-04F7-4379-AC03-1EBB2D4EEBE1.jpeg
     
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    #8 Rachox, Jul 9, 2021 at 3:32 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2021
  9. ert

    ert Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Interesting. I have low total WBC
    Interestingly I have had abnormal total white blood cells since my diagnosis and starting LCHF. I thought I was alone. Thanks for posting.
     
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    #9 ert, Jul 9, 2021 at 3:46 PM
  10. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    @Rachox interesting, almost similar to mine. Doesn't this clearly indicate that when we were at the peak of our metabolism catastrophe, our WBC were the highest? and after improving it, they went low, seems like a normal course?
     
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    #10 finsit, Jul 9, 2021 at 4:18 PM
  11. Rachox

    Rachox Type 2 (in remission!) · Moderator
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    It is interesting, I’d never opened this graph before, I just saw that each reading when I received it was within the normal range and thought no more of it.
     
    #11 Rachox, Jul 9, 2021 at 4:24 PM
  12. Andydragon

    Andydragon Type 2 (in remission!) · Moderator
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    Mines 3.4 and showing as low, the range on the doctor site say 3.6 to 11 is normal. But then again it also shows a range of other counts on the FBC is low. I'm not on significantly low carb, probably average 150 a day or so but higher and lower

    Doctor just said to repeat in a few months

    I'll ask in another post for any thoughts
     
    #12 Andydragon, Jul 9, 2021 at 4:49 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2021
  13. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

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    My surgery were so concerned that they did 3 tests. It is a great sign of low inflammation in the body. If you get a HS-CRP as well, this will likely be super low.
     
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    #13 Mbaker, Jul 9, 2021 at 5:14 PM
  14. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    @Andydragon Hi thanks for your post. I was seeing your bio and saw you had quite a bit of weight loss, congratulations on that. My question is when you lost the weight, had you had your lipids checked and how was your LDL?
     
    #14 finsit, Jul 9, 2021 at 7:44 PM
  15. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    @Mbaker what was your WBC level or what is it now? has it been there for long?
     
    #15 finsit, Jul 9, 2021 at 7:46 PM
  16. Andydragon

    Andydragon Type 2 (in remission!) · Moderator
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    Not sure
    Have these results:

    Serum cholesterol level 4.9 mmol/L
    Serum HDL cholesterol level 2.9 mmol/L
    Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 1.7
    Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level 2.0 mmol/L
     
    #16 Andydragon, Jul 9, 2021 at 8:08 PM
  17. finsit

    finsit Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Your HDL is excellent. So you didn't have any spike in your LDL. My LDL went from 4 to 9.5 :)
     
    #17 finsit, Jul 9, 2021 at 8:10 PM
  18. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

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    My results:

    upload_2021-7-10_0-42-38.png

    upload_2021-7-10_0-43-19.png

    Interesting they called a "normal" result when I was at the height of my 134 diagnosis.
     
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    #18 Mbaker, Jul 10, 2021 at 12:45 AM
  19. Mbaker

    Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) · Well-Known Member

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    Hi @zamalik I thought you might like a reference from Sarah Halberg. Sarah references White Blood Cell count twice between circa 30 mins and 42:

     
    #19 Mbaker, Jul 12, 2021 at 10:43 AM
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