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Low white blood count yet again

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:02 am
by Wonderfulworld
I've been freezing at night since i gave birth 3 month ago.
Got bloods done.

Thyroid ok, iron ok, but for about fifth time in last 8 years, I have a low white blood count.
My gp is going to retest in a few weeks.
But just wondering if any other MS'ers have had a low white blood count?
Maybe its copaxone?

Just a tiny worry emerging......lupus? I had positive ANA when I had tests about a year ago........but probably me just heading off into worry-craziness again....hmmmm. :roll:

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:42 am
by jimmylegs
leukopenia or decreased circulating white blood cells has some links to nutrition.

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi ... 190.002215
Annual Review of Nutrition
Zinc Deficiency and Immune Function
Leukopenia is characteristic of Zn deficiency and is primarily the result of
lymphopenia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymphocytopenia
Lymphocytopenia, or lymphopenia, is the condition of having an abnormally low level of lymphocytes in the blood. Lymphocytes are a white blood cell with important functions in the immune system.

http://parenting.ivillage.com/gs/gsheal ... q2,00.html
Low white blood count & diet
...lots of research ... certain foods ... can help control blood levels ... and .... potency... some foods that help...
... lots of yogurt ... active cultures of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Strepococcus thermophilus... specific foods... garlic, foods high in zinc such as oysters, pot roast, dark meat turkey and pumpkin and squash seeds (or make sure her multi vitamin contains zinc), and shitake mushrooms...
... fruits and vegetables ... may not increase her white cell count, but they will make the white cells she has stronger ... best ... deep green and orange ones ... spinach and carrots, melon and oranges.
Too much fat... polyunsaturated... adversely effect immune system strength... fish oil can boost it.

WW, how much zinc do you take per day? have you ever had it tested?

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 6:53 am
by jimmylegs
oh yea i ran across something about folate too, how's your b regimen?

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:24 am
by sh8un
It depends on what part your WBC are low and how low. It could be as simple as you having had a infection. after recovery some part of your blood cells become low again. They must have done cell diff which would tel lthem more.
NN

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 7:31 am
by jimmylegs
sh8un!!! hi :)
good thought, i was only thinking about them being high during infection.
zinc is a usual suspect too however...
how are you anyway??

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:29 am
by Wonderfulworld
Thanks Jimmylegs and NN.

I have a good B regimen, but never took extra zinc except in a multivit. Had been taking them erratically. Never had zinc levels tested, there's a thought.
In the meantime I think I'll crack open that tub of pumpkin seeds in my cupboard :wink:.

I just feel there's something odd about it all though - over the last 8 years I've been getting this kind of result periodically, and I was only on Rebif for 3 of those years and I blamed it then. I know it could just be infections, but.....I dunno.......maybe it's just as simple as having a bit of a viral infection.
Thanks for the replies.