curious_guy (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:40 pm Tugon wrote that he has a low White Blood Count and low platelets. If it is not a fluke or a lab error then it might be a type of leukemia (blood cancer).

Let's not jump to a worst case scenario. There is a long list of possible causes including relatively innocuous vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies (exacerbated by low T). More serious would be early stage rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, or a parasite infestation. Even some medications that are innocuous for most can cause it in some.

When my grandmother was diagnosed with low white cell count and had a series of tests including a bone marrow sample, her treatment (as prescribed by her doctor) consisted of a glass of red wine with dinner and cooking as much as possible in a cast iron pan. It was sufficient medication. Let's hope that Tugon gets off with just adding wine consumption....

Viral syndromes can lower WBC and Platelets. HOW LOW yours?

What of the differential on the WBC?

Lymphocytes, PMN's and various sorts of WBC's.

Moi the Curious

moi621 (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:18 pm Viral syndromes can lower WBC and Platelets. HOW LOW yours?

What of the differential on the WBC?

Lymphocytes, PMN's and various sorts of WBC's.

Moi the Curious

My WBC's are at 3.2 and the normal range is listed as 4.0 - 10.5 and my platelets are at 95 and the normal range is 140 - 415.

I once had a platelet count that was less than 1 percent of normal. The lab report called it "critically low." It also said, "These results may seem to be inconsistent with the patients condition but we repeated the analysis three times." The physician did not even tell me about the results. I saw the lab form when I looked through my chart while I was waiting in the exam room.

I am 99.9 percent sure that I have one or more chronic viral infections. No physicians will test me for viral infections because it is too difficult and time consuming to be profitable. Even if I did test positive for chronic viral infections, Medi-Cal (Medicaid in California) would not pay for anti-viral medications unless I had HIV AIDS. I do not have HIV AIDS.

Not to brag but I look a lot healthier than most folks in the waiting room. Feeling better already.

The Oncologist is concerned since two cell lines are involved. They drew 13 vials of blood so I am drinking fluids and a little dizzy or dizzier depending on if you have met me. She wants to see me in two weeks to discuss the results of the blood work and when we schedule the bone marrow test. She did feel it was a bone marrow issue but since there were no immature cells she did not think it was leukemia. And a lot of other things I only half understood.

We talked about our time in Paris. We both had a fabulous time. She wondered what had happenend to me since she knew I worked at the hospital for years and one day I was gone. We had a very nice visit and I always respected her so I was comfortable in her care.

Tugon, I have been advised to be watchful for anemia caused by the lack of output of the hormone erythropoietin, which is caused by testosterone deficiency and consequent red blood cell mass decline.

Crownjewels

Uncle Flo (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 05, 2012 6:41 pm When I had knee surgery my WBC and platelet counts were so high I had to wait six months without HRT before it went low enough so I could have surgery. The surgeon and a specialist both said that the blood cell count is directly affected by Testosterone levels. I have gone back to not taking HRT except at very rare times. --FLO--

Thank you Uncle Flo! My Oncologist asked me if I had any recent hospitalizations and I said no. I forgot to mention my motelization of almost 15 years ago. I need to bring up my lack of T so she will know the true picture. I do not know if any of the 13 tubes of blood will show my lack of T.

Crownjewels (imported) wrote: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:42 am Tugon, I have been advised to be watchful for anemia caused by the lack of output of the hormone erythropoietin, which is caused by testosterone deficiency and consequent red blood cell mass decline.

Crownjewels

Thank you for the good information. I am fearful of taking T and returning to the person I was before. Of course I do want to be well so if a very low dose will help my overall health I may need to make that compromise.

Received the bill for my appointment with the Oncologist and the one office visit was $356. I have yet to receive a bill for all the lab work. Yikes it is cheaper to die. She wanted to see me in two weeks from the first appointment and I am hoping a follow up will be less expensive.