Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

My Wbc Is Low...

Sarah Alli

Recommended Posts

Sarah Alli Apprentice
Sarah Alli
Posted

My doctor ordered a second cbc/metabolic panel for me about a week ago. When it came back, she told me it was normal. I asked for a copy of it, which I got today.

My last cbc, four months ago, was totally normal, with all my values square in the middle of the normal range. Not this time.

These were off:

White Blood Cell Count

Current test: 2.2

4 months ago: 8.5

"normal": 4.0-10.5

Platelet Count

Current test: 123

4 months ago: 255

"normal": 140-415

Polys-Man% (neutrophils)

Current test: 39

4 months ago: 59

"normal": 40-75

Monos% (monocytes)

Current test: 17

4 months ago: 7

"normal": 0-14

I tried to get a hold of my doctor but could only leave a message with her office. I am concerned about the white blood cell count- when I looked into it 2.2 is very low- I saw a few people saying that when their WBC was 2.2 it was considered critical by their doctor. I'm not on any medicine that causes leukopenia, I've been gluten free for about a month and a half and the only abnormal test result that I've gotten recently besides this was a low serum iron. My main symptoms are fatigue and various GI complaints, mostly stomach cramps and nausea. I've bruised easily all my life and I have reactive airway disorder so a cold can put me in the emergency room- neither of those symptoms are abnormal to me.

I'm not sure if I'm even dealing with celiac disease at this point, but I don't know where else to ask because you guys are so nice and my doctor is unreachable. Am I in danger?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jungle Rookie
Jungle
Posted

I do think you need the Dr to read these results again. It looks like pretty much all of them fall out (or almost) out of the normal ranges. You need to go back with test in hand to ask again. What any of it means is beyond me but the practice of getting copies of your tests is a smart one.

Sarah Alli Apprentice
Sarah Alli
Posted
  • Author

I do think you need the Dr to read these results again. It looks like pretty much all of them fall out (or almost) out of the normal ranges. You need to go back with test in hand to ask again. What any of it means is beyond me but the practice of getting copies of your tests is a smart one.

Well, I highlighted the ones that were out of normal range. Everything else (red blood cells, etc) were all apparently normal. Some of the liver function ones had also changed significantly since my last test but were still within normal.

I am hoping she will call me back. It is actually my psychiatrist that ordered these tests- but my GP seems to always just tell me to follow up on my referral to the gastroenterologist. It seems like what I really need is to see a hematologist.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Well, I highlighted the ones that were out of normal range. Everything else (red blood cells, etc) were all apparently normal. Some of the liver function ones had also changed significantly since my last test but were still within normal.

I am hoping she will call me back. It is actually my psychiatrist that ordered these tests- but my GP seems to always just tell me to follow up on my referral to the gastroenterologist. It seems like what I really need is to see a hematologist.

If your GP will not address these blood results IMHO you need to find a new GP. That much of a change in 4 months needs to be addressed.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I'm not a doctor, but common sense suggests that if you feel basically normal you are not in immediate danger. Some insurance programs have "ask a nurse" phone lines where you might be able to call for reassurance. I'm sure your GP will get back to you as well. You probably need the tests repeated and a referral to a hematologist if they come up the same.

Sarah Alli Apprentice
Sarah Alli
Posted
  • Author

I'm not a doctor, but common sense suggests that if you feel basically normal you are not in immediate danger. Some insurance programs have "ask a nurse" phone lines where you might be able to call for reassurance. I'm sure your GP will get back to you as well. You probably need the tests repeated and a referral to a hematologist if they come up the same.

Basically normal for me these days is low grade fever and significant fatigue, it's a bit hard for me to tell sometimes if I'm ok or not. I did some research and found that a WBC <1.0 is considered acutely dangerous, so I won't keel over and die, but I am concerned about getting an infection.

I'm going to make an appointment tomorrow to actually get in and see my doctor as opposed to discussing over the phone.

Thanks, guys!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @ThomasA55! Before I give my opinion on your question about whether or not you should undergo a gluten challenge, I would like to know how you react when you get a good dose of gluten? Are you largely asymptomatic or do you experience significant illness such as nausea and diarrhea? You mentioned intermittent joint...
    2. Joseph01
      - Joseph01 replied to bethmon's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      14

      We Keep Getting Glutened With Vegetable Oil

      This is way past due for your post. I have Celiac and have been recovering for more than a year. Doing well. Used Essential oil to day to fry some chicken. Read the label all good. Then ate some chicken. Here comes the gluten reaction. I haven't had a gluten reaction since year. I am angry. I have been so careful with this crap and don't wan't any...
    3. ThomasA55
      - ThomasA55 posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      Hey everyone. I'm a young adult who had very high iron in 2024. 64% saturation 160 ferritin. In 2025 I had far lower iron. 26% saturation and 130 ferritin. I know this is still in range but it seems to be a large drop. That combined with the fact that I developed some intermittent joint pain between the two years makes me wonder if I could be celiac. My dietary...
    4. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Aretaeus Cappadocia's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Aretaeus Cappadocia's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      2

      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance. This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse. When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,086
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Joseph01
    Newest Member
    Joseph01
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @ThomasA55! Before I give my opinion on your question about whether or not you should undergo a gluten challenge, I would like to know how you react when you get a good dose of gluten? Are you largely asymptomatic or do you experience significant illness such as nausea and diarrhea? You mentioned intermittent joint pain before you began experimenting with a low gluten diet. Anything else?
    • Joseph01
      We Keep Getting Glutened With Vegetable Oil

      By Joseph01 · Posted

      This is way past due for your post.  I have Celiac and have been recovering for more than a year.  Doing well.  Used Essential oil to day to fry some chicken.  Read the label all good.  Then ate some chicken.  Here comes the gluten reaction.  I haven't had a gluten reaction since year.  I am angry.   I have been so careful with this crap and don't wan't any set backs!!!!! Good luck to you with your post.   Celiac is HELL!
    • ThomasA55
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By ThomasA55 · Posted

      Hey everyone. I'm a young adult who had very high iron in 2024. 64% saturation 160 ferritin. In 2025 I had far lower iron. 26% saturation and 130 ferritin. I know this is still in range but it seems to be a large drop. That combined with the fact that I developed some intermittent joint pain between the two years makes me wonder if I could be celiac. My dietary intake of iron was pretty steady (mostly in the form of red meat). I did carnivore (therby eliminating gluten) for a bit after the second test and felt improvements in my joints and digestion. I still consume gluten occasionally socially, for religious reasons, and through cross contamination/food sharing. For these reasons, I would need to know if I had it, because although my lifestyle is low gluten its not at the strict level it should be if it turned out I was celiac. I will get a gene test first and hope I don't have DQ2.5,DQ2.2, or DQ8, but if I had any combination of those do you guys think I need proper screening through a gluten challenge / blood test? Other context. From 2024-2025, my b12 stayed about the same in the mid 600s folate went up slightly, but I heard it takes longer for celiac to affect the absorption of these. ANA negative, CRP low, ESR low.  I don't know how much noise exists around the saturation and ferritin, but it caught my eye and Celiac seemed like a possibility. I'm under no illusion that it is probable that I have celiac, only that it may be worth screening given my overall profile.   
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      Sigh. I posted this yesterday based on the Safeway website. I went back again today to their website to double check. On the page where they are selling Vanilla Bean flavor, it has a distinct Certified Gluten Free label. Other flavors on the Safeway website didn't have the gluten-free statement. Today I went into the store. None of the flavors I looked at, including Vanilla Bean, have a Gluten Free statement. Is it safe? Who knows. The ingredients are either safe or nearly safe (some have "natural flavor"). There are warnings about "contains milk and soy" but not about wheat - this implies they are safe, but again, who knows. On the other hand, every flavor I checked of their Slow Churn line of ice creams has wheat as an ingredient. 100% not safe.
    • knitty kitty
      Edy's and Dreyer's ice cream

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Do keep in mind that many of the newly diagnosed have lactose intolerance.  This is because the villi lining the intestinal tract are damaged, and can no longer make the enzyme lactAse which breaks down the milk sugar lactOse.  When the villi grow back (six months to two years), they can again produce the enzyme lactAse, and lactose intolerance is resolved.  However, some people (both those with and without Celiac Disease) are genetically programmed to stop producing lactase as they age.   Do be aware that many processed foods, including ice cream, use Microbial Transglutaminase, a food additive commonly called "meat glue," used to enhance texture and flavor.  This microbial transglutaminase has the same immunogenicity as tissue transglutaminase which the body produces in response to gluten in people with Celiac Disease.  Tissue Transglutaminase (tTg IgA) is measured to diagnose Celiac Disease in blood tests.  Microbial Transglutaminase acts the same as Tissue Transglutaminase, causing increased intestinal permeability and inflammation.   New findings show that microbial transglutaminase may be able to trigger Celiac Disease and other autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.   Microbial Transglutaminase is not required to be listed on ingredients labels as it's considered a processing aid, not an ingredient in the U.S.  Microbial Transglutaminase has been GRAS for many years, but that GRAS standing is being questioned more and more as the immunogenicity of microbial transglutaminase is being discovered. Interesting Reading:  Microbial Transglutaminase Is a Very Frequently Used Food Additive and Is a Potential Inducer of Autoimmune/Neurodegenerative Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8537092/
×
×
  • Create New...