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Continuing low white count

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Posted 10/26/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

Just went to the doctor last week and white count is still very low, even some time after getting off interferon. It was also persistantly low before starting treatment (and during). Had other viral infection tests negative sometime before. Is this just a normal reaction to carring the HCV?

Also, just wondering if all natural peanut butter is good for the liver. Suspect it may be wearing me down, because peanut butter is the only food with significant fat that I eat. I know some fat is good and my doctor always scolds me for my weight. What do you want, fast metabolism! Is there a better fat and protein source?

 

Posted 10/26/2010 6:58 PM (GMT 0)

Bleave, as you probably know, I have hep C, also.  The only time I've ever had a low white count was when I was on interferon shortly after being diagnosed in '93.  The white count got so low that I was taken off treatment.  I can't remember how long it took for my WBC to normalize, but don't think it was very long.

I think peanut butter is a good source of protein and fat.  You can also try fish, beans (including edamame--raw soy beans), and occasionally eggs and low-fat cheese.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/26/2010 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie, If that's the case it is probably the interferon side effects still lingering. I'll have to give the raw soy beans a try. 
Posted 10/26/2010 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Try the edamame in a stir fry. They're very bland when eaten alone.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 10/26/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ooh that sounds good!
Posted 10/26/2010 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Peanuts and other nuts, especially almonds were recommended by my dietitian, when I was doing the interferon/ribavirin treatment.
Posted 10/27/2010 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr. is telling me I need more protein but not animal protein. I've become a vegetarian. I eat a lot of fruit,I also eat vegetables I think green ones have more protein in them,beans and I supplement it with Ensure. What else is high in non-animal protein? I haven't tried nuts yet but which ones are high protein?
Posted 10/27/2010 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Almonds are one of the best.
Posted 10/27/2010 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Imp, walnuts and pistachios are good, too.  I eat very little meat...am mostly vegetarian.  Beans of any kind are good, though edamame has the most protein.  Any type of soy products are good.  I make a 3-Bean Chili that is delish and high in protein and fiber.  Cheese and dairy products, as well as occasional eggs are also good sources of protein.  Don't forget fish.  Use olive oil for healthful fat.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/27/2010 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tips.  Connie when he said no animal protein I thought that meant fish too?  We like to eat fresh fish (advantage of living in FL. wink When referring to beans is it only the dark beans-brown to black or are green included?

 

Posted 10/28/2010 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
You need to ask the doctor if fish is okay. I was told fish and chicken were fine, but to limit my intake to a piece the size of a deck of cards (about 4 ounces).
Posted 10/28/2010 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Great, thats good to hear because i've been eating penut butter,

thanks David

Posted 10/28/2010 1:35 AM (GMT 0)

Beans would be navy beans, kidney beans, canellini (white) beans, black beans, limas, etc.

Fish is not animal. 

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/28/2010 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Imp, if you can eat carbs, Quinoa (Keen-Wa) has 6 grams of high quality protein in it.
Posted 10/28/2010 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
What is quinoa? and where would I find it? John's making Red beans and rice tonight I just have to pick the meat out it. I haven't had it in a long time but we've been trying to come up with diffrent ideas. He makes a great stir fry I just get mine before he puts the meat in. Anybody have any ideas? I could really use the help. I've been living on fruit,Ensure and beans. Connie what is edamame? Thanks for your help.

Suzi
Posted 10/28/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
i like to make a bruschetta with cannellini beans. from the can...rinsed to get rid of salt...add pressed garlic, pepper. put on top of baguette toasts...sprinkle extra virgin olive oil on top. yummy. yeah

emma
Posted 10/28/2010 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Imp, quinoa is a grain.  Look for it in the rice section.  Speaking of rice...try to eat brown rice instead of white.  I get the little microwaveable cups of it.  Edamame is raw soy beans.  You'll find it in the frozen foods vegetable section.  You can get them in pods or shelled (I get the shelled ones.)

 

Just do a Google search for vegetarian recipes--you'll find plenty.  A good site is chow.com.  Then you can just add a bit of skinless chicken breast or shrimp, if you like, to most of them.

 

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/29/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Connie-thank you for the info.  I'm going to try it this week. I must have a brain fog duh-vegaterian recipes shocked I don't no why I didn't think of that. I will be looking for recipes asap.     Notsotuff-Where did you find that info?  I've searched and I couldn't find it. Thank you very much I need that info so I can get on a good protein diet.  How many grams of protein do we need everyday?
Posted 10/29/2010 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Notsotuff, thanks for that great list!  I'm thinking we need a thread devoted to nutrition.  If I start one, I will copy and paste your info, if that's okay with you.  Since you love kale, you might like to make "crisps" out of it.  From recipes I've seen, you spread pieces of fresh kale out on a cookie sheet, toss with olive oil and sprinkle a little sea salt or kosher salt on it, and bake in a low oven (around 300 degrees) until crispy.  People say it makes a terrific snack.

Imp, I couldn't find the daily protein in grams, but I did find a current food pyramid which states that 15-20% of your daily food intake should be from protein:  2-3 servings of beans, nuts, eggs, fish, poultry, and 2-3 servings of dairy protein such as milk, yogurt, cheese. 

Of course, I left red meat out of this equation, which means you can amp up the plant protein.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 10/29/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
The normal recomended protein intake is 50 grams / day. That is if you are going to be working all day though. I only eat about half of that per day taking the liver problems into consideration. You can check any food label and it will provide you with the grams of protein per serving, and the percentage of your daily value that amount supplies. So for example, 10g would say 20% of your value. 5 grams would say 10%. You can also pay attention to things like potassium listed on cans and packages. Keep sodium, potassium, and iron low as a good rule of thumb. It can really help! 
Posted 10/29/2010 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Also, aways rinse canned beans in a strainer before using.

Posted 10/29/2010 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
GI doc put me on potassium supplement because in the hospital it was real low and they said it could cause a stroke or heart attack if your potassium is too low.  What happens if your potassium is too high?
Posted 10/29/2010 10:35 PM (GMT 0)

High potassium (hyperkalemia) also affects the heart by interfering with its electrical impules.  It can also cause brain dysfunction.  However, most people with liver disease are on diuretics, which tend to cause low potassium as it is excreted through urine.  I couldn't take those huge potassium tablets, so they put me on Aldactone (spironolactone) instead as it controls the potassium excretion.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 10/29/2010 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Connie-I think the GI doc might have over looked the fact that I'm on spironolactone and he added potassium supplement. Is this going to be a problem?
Posted 10/30/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I would take the potassium supplement as prescribed and not the Aldactone until you can reach him on Mon. and ask if he intends for you to take both.  It could be that although you are taking Aldactone, your potassium level is still low.

Hugs,

Connie

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