Low WBC

Rifampin can lower your WBC count. Whenever this happened to me, my doctor usually took me off the meds for a few days or switched them entirely. I was on Rifampin for a while. It is a relatively weak abx, however it can really wreak havoc on the body. I ended up having to discontinue the use because my immune system got out of control and I went into cytokine storm. Never again on rifampin.

As for the low protein, it can be a sign of additional problems, however, I wouldn't stress unless you get confirmation. Many sufferers of LD have a low total protein because the intestines can't absorb it into the body. Get yourself a good protein shake (without sugar), and make sure you are taking good probiotics for any gastrointestinal issues the Lyme may be presenting you with. There is also this powder called Glutagenics by a company called Metagenics. It helps better than anything I have ever tried.

Good luck to you.. Be well.

Oh yes, you are absolutely right opugirl, food and water can greatly change some CBC counts. I think you were right to be concerned. Sometimes its even right to be concerned even if something is reading borderline low or high. Its a matter of putting it together. And sometimes you can't even get accurate readings from CBC counts because too much of one thing can mask the results of something else and you don't even know you have a difficiency. I think the important thing is to always listen to our body and question everything.. Just remember not to get too stressed ( I know easier said than done) because stress is one of the worst things for us, especially with how much our adrenals are going through.. Does anyone ever get the feeling like they are walking on a tight rope without a net???

I have had low monocytes before, for me it was indicative of low B12 and folic acid - also common for lyme. Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and travel into the blood stream. Are you on corticosteroids? That can lower them. Sometimes low monocytes occur when certain toxins are released into the blood from certain bacterias as well.

Did your doctor test your folate or B12 levels?