Normalized RBC - WBC and Neutrophils are trending down - has been for 4 years - Advice?

Hey All,

I just got my new labs done today for my thyroid, iron, and CBC. My RBC and hemoglobin levels are normal now that I have been taking iron and ferritin capsules. However, I have noticed my WBC and Neutrophils are trending down and have been for the last 4 years. I have a strong history of leukemia in my family (mom's side), and so, of course, this is always a cause for concern. They are still in normal ranges; however, they are consistently dropping. Just from 3 weeks ago, they have now dropped about half a point. Could Lyme be causing this? Could my thyroid be causing this? What do you suggest I do about it, and have you experienced this?

Thank you all!

Been there done that it’s Unfortunately familiar to me.

White blood cell count can go up and down a lot. Reason to be concerned is when it gets in the bottom 20% of the range and then stay there for a year.

To know what’s on- You need further testing of the things below, unless you’ve already had them done:

1)Check your lymphocyte level.

2)What is your total protein level? That should’ve been tested. This is made up of two proteins:
A)Albumin is the protein everyone ones familiar with for muscles skeletal structure, etc.
B) Globulin protein is what you’re concerned about, those are what make up immunoglobulins.

3)What is your globulin protein level?

If any of the above are low track them.

3)If the above three are:
A) low? then You need to test your four immunoglobulin class levels, B cell levels, T cell levels, and natural killer cell levels
B) Normal? Then your immunoglobulins and other immune cells above, are most likely fine

Some Regular doctors will not know this, but they should.

Leukemia usually elevates everything above.


Lyme can lower immune cells. But the only test mentioned about this in the Lyme community is the CD 57 test. Some people recover, some people do not.

There’s also a few genes that can affect this, I’ve had gene testing, I have them. However, having the gene(s) does not mean it’s automatically flipped in the on position. When it is flipped “on” by Major illness, or stress, or whatever, all above is what happens. I go to special immune clinic. They’re rare , some states do not have any. I do not get treatment for it yet. I survived Covid so what few immune cells that I do have apparently are very strong but low in numbers.

astroman said...
Been there done that it’s Unfortunately familiar to me.

White blood cell count can go up and down a lot. Reason to be concerned is when it gets in the bottom 20% of the range and then stay there for a year.

To know what’s on- You need further testing of the things below, unless you’ve already had them done:

1)Check your lymphocyte level.

2)What is your total protein level? That should’ve been tested. This is made up of two proteins:
A)Albumin is the protein everyone ones familiar with for muscles skeletal structure, etc.
B) Globulin protein is what you’re concerned about, those are what make up immunoglobulins.

3)What is your globulin protein level?

If any of the above are low track them.

3)If the above three are:
A) low? then You need to test your four immunoglobulin class levels, B cell levels, T cell levels, and natural killer cell levels
B) Normal? Then your immunoglobulins and other immune cells above, are most likely fine

Some Regular doctors will not know this, but they should.

Leukemia usually elevates everything above.


Lyme can lower immune cells. But the only test mentioned about this in the Lyme community is the CD 57 test. Some people recover, some people do not.

There’s also a few genes that can affect this, I’ve had gene testing, I have them. However, having the gene(s) does not mean it’s automatically flipped in the on position. When it is flipped “on” by Major illness, or stress, or whatever, all above is what happens. I go to special immune clinic. They’re rare , some states do not have any. I do not get treatment for it yet. I survived Covid so what few immune cells that I do have apparently are very strong but low in numbers.

Thanks Astroman for your response.

On April 10th, 2024 my:
Total protein was normal at 7.8g/dl (6-8.4)
Albumin was 4.4 g/dl (3.5-5.2)

There was no globulin-specific test, as this was just from the CMP on that date.

Today my:

WBC was 6.2 k/mcL (3.6-10.6) - was 6.8 on 4/10
Platelets jumped back up from 214 to 355 k/mcL (150-400)
Lymphocyte Auto - normal up and down
Lymphocyte, Abs - trending down 2.7 4/10 - now 2.3 K/mcL

Does this help you with what's going on? What do you think/suggest?

Thanks for your help!!

we see people with WBC counts down in the high 3's or low 4's - i wouldn't be too concerned with your readings

My LLMD and my other practitioner both said they typically see low white blood count and low neutrophils in their patients with Lyme and other chronic infections. They said it’s so common that it’s surprising if they don’t see it

that is a very low CD57+ absolute count

mine was low also - around 40 - when at my lowest