Low White Blood Cell Count

scpdxb

I had my CBC done recently and the results came back that I have a low white blood cell count (3.3 - it's supposed to be above 4). The doctor told me that it may be due to an increase in physical activity/undernourishment... I'm netting approx 1600 cals per day - eating LOTS as I am marathon training and eating back my exercise calories. Anybody else had a similar experience due to diet/exercise levels?

1960HikerDude

I just had a similar experience. I had my yearly physical 2 days after doing a very strenuous hike (over 6 hours with 2,600 feet of elevation gain). I got a call from my doctor a few days later with my lab results. Everything was great except for a "mild decrease" in my WBC. According to the lab, the lower limit of the normal range is 3.8. Mine came in at 3.6. Doctor wants to re-test in two weeks. Thing is I feel OK. Actually better than OK. I'm feeling stronger than I have in a long time.

I made the mistake of googling "low white blood count" and came up with a long list of possible causes. Some are benign and transient in nature. Others include the really horrible diseases we all fear.

Then I remembered that endurance athletes sometimes have issues with low WBC . So, now I am hoping my low WBC was a result of the hike.

I go back to the lab next week.

3foldchord

I have not had mine tested recently but as a kid and teen, My count was always borderline low. I should get it rechecked.

1960HikerDude

I just had my re-test and my WBC value was within the normal range.