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Low white blood cell count during flare - what does it mean?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/4/2012 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
It seems that docs think it's normal to have a high white blood cell count during a flare, but then also say it's normal when you have a low wbc count during a flare. How can both be true?

I'm in a mild flare and my wbc, specifically lymphocytes, are low - nothing crazy, but outside of any given 'normal' range. I'm trying to figure out what this means. Only taking mesalamines for the time being and haven't had anything stronger since early 2011. I'm at a loss...
Posted 5/4/2012 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
It could be any variety of things. Low vitamin D levels can give you a low wbc count, have you had that checked?
Posted 5/4/2012 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm. Had vit D checked 6-9 months ago maybe. Came back normal...
Posted 5/4/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
My white blood cell counts are usually high during a flare, which indicates my immune system fighting inflammation. My lymphocytes however, like yours are always very low and neither my primary or my GI doc has ever been able to explain why.
I'm wondering if low lymphocytes are a common marker for UC/CD...
Posted 5/4/2012 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
My WBC has never risen too much during flare. I am on 6mp now and it's difficult hwen you have a low normal WBC because mine always ends up getting too low and I Have to discontinue the medication for a period of time. I think different people's bodies react differently to whatever causes this darm illness. There may even be different causes & that could be part of the reason we don't have our WBCs rise.
Posted 5/4/2012 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I know normal vit D for a doc is different from what a naturopath would want. I think it should be above 60? They like it higher than the ranges used on the bloodwork panels
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