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PCa and low WBC count

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Posted 11/14/2011 5:14 PM (GMT 0)

Just had routine lab work up and my WBC count has dropped to a low level about half the level I had at original dx. This was discussed in an older thread (https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1975679&r=x) started by Galileo last year.   Just curious if any others have had similar experiences and if Galileo, Jerry L and 142 have had any changes or new concerns. My PCP is a little concerned and will recheck next year.

Carlos

Posted 11/14/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Looks like you are 8 months out of RT. At one point my white cell count was in the 0.x decimals, where it should have been 4.0 minimum (not sure what the test evaluated). My GP said it was common for RT patients, but gave me severe warnings about avoiding crowds as much as possible, and especially people who were obviously ill (colds, flu and the like).

My RT ended late June 2010. In October they re-ran the WBC test, because it was so low. By April 2011, it was back up to 50% of the minimum side of the range. Now in October 2011, it is slightly above the minimum.

I did not take anything to boost it. Just seems to be coming back on its own with time, as the GP expected.

Posted 11/14/2011 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
My WBC was low again last time (can't find my lab report) but basically unchanged from the previous time, so my primary care doc was not concerned. My absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was the culprit. Low, but not in a danger range.
I'm not sure why this is. I can't confidently blame radiation, because my WBC has started to trend lower even before I was dx'd with prostate cancer. And some months after RT, it came up. Then it has drifted down again. So I'm slightly uneasy about it but in no hurry to have a bone marrow biopsy and frequent blood draws to try to figure it out. As long as my primary care doc and radiation doc are okay with the scores, I guess I'll hold tight.
I get another CBC in December, to get a refill on my cholesterol med, and then a PSA in January.
Posted 11/14/2011 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.  My WBC count was normal mid range at dx in 2008.  The largest drop occurred about a yr after surgery and then dropped again after SRT.  Will see my uro onc next month and get his opinion.

Carlos

Posted 11/15/2011 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Carlos,
Mine got low pre-diagnosis and post SRT, but is fine at this point. Hopefully it is just a blip as your body is adjusting to the rad.
Michael
Posted 11/17/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I found my lab work from June '11. Due pretty soon for another.

Everything was cool except for WBC, which was low at 2.7 k/mm3 (normal range: 4.0 - 11.0) and absolute neutrophil, which was low at 1.4 k/uL (normal range 1.6 - 9.3 k/uL).
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