Shortage of white blood cells

[jason30]

Hi all,

A regular blood test by the doc showed a shortage of white blood cells.
This confirms my symptoms. The doc wants to wait for a month to see if they are still low, because I just got a virus infection.

I wonder, does anybody else had / have this and can we increase the number of white blood cells for ourselves?

 

[Gondwanaland]

https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/

 

[jason30]

https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/

Thanks, very informative article.

 

[Gondwanaland]

I can't vouch for it, but it is a good starting point for your search.

 

[jason30]

Yes indeed a good starting point, it does give some good tips to increase white blood cells.
On the other hand, the cause must not be forgotten. Another reason to discuss with the doctor.

 

[Learner1]

Were your WBC low before your recent virus? If so, some detective work would be wise, like other immune system tests (immunoglobulins with subclasses, T and B cell panels), herpes family and other infections, folate and B12 deficiencies (RBC folate and methylmalonic acid, not serum values), and if needed, cancer.

If they were normal before, being patient might just let them bounce back. My values vary quite a bit and my body adjusts.

 

[jason30]

Thanks for thinking along with the tips @Learner1 , It's unknow if the WBC were low before the virus. This is the first time it's checked.
But if I go for the symptoms (sick feeling and runny nose when I am among the poeple within a few minutes, and gone within a few minutes) then my guess it's longer. Within a few weeks the WBC get's checked again.

Next week I have a new appointment with the doc and I hope he cooperates to check the active forms of folic acid and vitamin b12, because my serum levels are good and then the doc says it's all fine and no reason to check further. Always that discussion with him!

Do you by change have some recommendations of labs which do immune tests?

 

[Learner1]

That sounds like a good plan.

For the immune tests, mine were standard tests done by one of the 2 largest nationwide labs in the US, LabCorp. I'd think they would be pretty easy to find at labs in your country.

 

[Tammy]

Low or High WBC count can be indicative of a virus.