Calling all doctors and nurses! Please help!

Lisa1971
Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
edited September 24 in Chit-Chat
I'm worried about my mom. She's 60 years old and is the picture of health. She eats great, exercises, and is at a healthy weight. She went for routine bloodwork today and told me that everything was great except for her white cell count, which was low. Her doctor wasn't that concerned and told her to have it rechecked in a few months.

But I do know that leukemia can be a sign of a low white cell count and now I'm worried SICK. Of course, I'm not going to tell my mom because I don't want her to worry but I'm literally SICK thinking that she could have leukemia. And if she does is that a death sentence??

So my question is....are there other causes of having a low WBC count and if so, what are they? Am I right to be worried? Both of my mom's parents died from cancer but it was from lung cancer from smoking and my mom does NOT smoke and neither does my dad.

Any advice to calm my nerves would be helpful. I'm a mess. Thanks so much.

Lisa

Replies

  • aimibean
    aimibean Posts: 243
    I'm not a professional, but I know there are SO MANY causes of low WBC - bacterial infections, anaemia, etc etc. I really wouldn't worry about it, I'm absolutely sure she'll be fine! :)
  • missboriken
    missboriken Posts: 52 Member
    A viral infection (influenza), overactive thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis and folate, copper or zinc deficiencies are also reasons to have a low white cell count. Also Wellbutrin (antidepressant) and Minocycline (for diabetes) will lower them too.
  • Setof2Keys
    Setof2Keys Posts: 681 Member
    If you're that concerned and she has a family history, I would share your concerns with her. She can always get another opinion. They call it medical "practice" for a reason, they're not always right. We have all learned by now that early detection is key. Rather be safe than sorry.
  • jtgill
    jtgill Posts: 48
    My daughter is on chemo right now and I know ALL about blood counts...What was her number? And I agree there are MANY MANY causes BUT you don't have to worry, all of the other blood work was fine right? With Leukemia she would also be anemic and a couple others would have been off too. The white blood cells are replacing themselves ALL of the time, which is why they will recheck. More than one low count would be needed to be worried at all. Find out her number and I can tell you for sure if it is worrisome
  • megpiemac12
    megpiemac12 Posts: 76
    you can actually even have a low count if you are in the begining stages of getting a cold! I had bloodwork done and they said mine was low and within 2 days, I had a cold. I would not stress yet, but defnitly something to keep an eye on. Good Luck!
  • xarrium
    xarrium Posts: 432 Member
    Leukemia can also cause extremely elevated WBC counts, so a low WBC count is certainly not diagnostic of leukemia. Low whites really isn't diagnostic of anything--just being stressed out can falsely lower your white count too. If your mom intends to get re-checked in a few months as the doc recommended, don't worry about it--chances are it's nothing sinister. You can always ask your mom to ask the doctor (or ask your doctor, if you have one) about causes of low WBC counts, because there are a lot out there and it's a really nonspecific thing.
  • NatalieWinning
    NatalieWinning Posts: 999 Member
    What they said. But also if she will go to another visit with the same person, or a second opinion would she bring you? 2 pairs of ears are better than one and you sound like you have a lot of questions they could answer specifically why they aren't concerned and don't need to do anything now. I know my Mom and Grandma would never admit something if they actually found things. My mom said she had COPD for years. Then I pester her to see if it's the family asthma and never understand why she won't take care of it. Turns out she has emphasema and wouldnt admit it. My Grandma would not ask, just go in and see if the doctor found something. If he didn't (without any prompting from her) then she must be fine! Games!! Frustrating for the people trying to worry over them! On the other hand, they are big girls and I am not always the one that needs to fix them.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    My daughter is on chemo right now and I know ALL about blood counts...What was her number? And I agree there are MANY MANY causes BUT you don't have to worry, all of the other blood work was fine right? With Leukemia she would also be anemic and a couple others would have been off too. The white blood cells are replacing themselves ALL of the time, which is why they will recheck. More than one low count would be needed to be worried at all. Find out her number and I can tell you for sure if it is worrisome

    Thank you so much for this info. I just have to figure out a way to ask her without worrying her! I'll try to get the number casually in the next few days and I'll let you know. Thanks so much!
  • Happy
    Happy Posts: 7 Member
    A low WBC can be seen during or following a viral infection. (Among many other things) Many times in the cases of leukemia, all three cells line will be affected. If she had a low platelet count and a low hemoglobin along with the low WBC count, it would be much more worrisome. She should follow up with her doctor in 2-3 months and have her WBC checked again to see if it has risen. If not, then further testing may be warranted.
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    What they said. But also if she will go to another visit with the same person, or a second opinion would she bring you? 2 pairs of ears are better than one and you sound like you have a lot of questions they could answer specifically why they aren't concerned and don't need to do anything now. I know my Mom and Grandma would never admit something if they actually found things. My mom said she had COPD for years. Then I pester her to see if it's the family asthma and never understand why she won't take care of it. Turns out she has emphasema and wouldnt admit it. My Grandma would not ask, just go in and see if the doctor found something. If he didn't (without any prompting from her) then she must be fine! Games!! Frustrating for the people trying to worry over them! On the other hand, they are big girls and I am not always the one that needs to fix them.

    Well, I would go except she lives in Ohio and I'm in PA. My mom will definitely go back for a recheck. She had a benign brain tumor 4 years ago and is very very pro doctor and doctor visits, thank God!

    Thank you!!!!!!!!!
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    A low WBC can be seen during or following a viral infection. (Among many other things) Many times in the cases of leukemia, all three cells line will be affected. If she had a low platelet count and a low hemoglobin along with the low WBC count, it would be much more worrisome. She should follow up with her doctor in 2-3 months and have her WBC checked again to see if it has risen. If not, then further testing may be warranted.

    Thank you for the info! I'm feeling a little better now.
  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Lisa: Seems like you are just worried because she is your mom. No matter what, the logical thing to do is wait a few weeks and recheck the level. If normal, no need to worry. I agree with alot of the previous posters, low wbc count can be from viral infection, bacterial infection, or medications. It also can just happen for no real good reason. You can set your mind at ease about the leukemia, because generally that present with elevated white counts, especially in people your mother's age.
  • lupuslady
    lupuslady Posts: 99
    I doubt seriously that she is going to know what the number is.
    But if she brought home a copy of her labs it will on there. But I am an
    RN, and my advice is to for you to call the drs office and see when your mom can go back. You go too and talk to the dr. The dr will not talk with you without her permission I did this with my dad and it was very revealing. Telling you not to worry is going be hard, so just step up and tell your Mom you want her to go back and you want to go with her.....
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