Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    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):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

White Blood Cell Count

Mnicole1981

By Mnicole1981
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted

I have been very, very strict with my diet. But I went to the doctor last week for bloodwork and they called yesterday to tell me that my white blood cell count had dropped to 2.9 (4.5-11.0).

Of course, I am freaking out and scared that I have something much worse. I never tested positive for celiac disease so I can't help but worry that the numerous doctors I've gone to missed something in the beginning and I have wasted 4 months that could have been used on trying to find the real issue because I felt somewhat better. How do I not worry?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

Folate, zinc, and copper deficiencies can cause this. There are a LOT of things that can cause it actually, but since celiac can cause deficiencies, especially folate deficiency, I would think that might be the reason. See if your doctor agrees with that and maybe he can test you again after you have supplemented for a while?

In the meantime, try not to worry too much. I know how hard that can be. Last year they tested me for leukemia and until I got the negative results back, I was a wreck. But keep in mind that celiac CAN cause all kinds of problems, and that is probably the cause of this. You will be in my prayers. ((((HUGS))))

Mnicole1981 Enthusiast
Mnicole1981
Posted
  • Author

Thank you so much. I have also been having a lot of MS type symptoms, so there probably is a deficiency issue going on.

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

According to this, folate deficiency CAN cause neurological symptoms: Open Original Shared Link

B12 deficiency is another possible culprit. Maybe you can get your doctor to test for ALL vitamin and mineral deficiencies. There is a celiac symptom called gluten ataxia that mimics MS. It too might be caused by malabsorbtion of vitamins and minerals.

Now what you have to do is start thinking of the light at the end of the tunnel. You know you have either celiac or gluten sensitivity, so chances are THAT is the cause of your problems. AND, it CAN be fixed! Stay positive. You are getting to the root of the problem and between you, your doctor, and the good folks on this forum, you will find answers and those answers WILL help you regain good health! :)

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I have been very, very strict with my diet. But I went to the doctor last week for bloodwork and they called yesterday to tell me that my white blood cell count had dropped to 2.9 (4.5-11.0).

Of course, I am freaking out and scared that I have something much worse. I never tested positive for celiac disease so I can't help but worry that the numerous doctors I've gone to missed something in the beginning and I have wasted 4 months that could have been used on trying to find the real issue because I felt somewhat better. How do I not worry?

Please do not worry about this as low white cell counts are common with autoimmune disease. My white cell counts are always in the 2.5-3.5 range and as long as you aren't constantly sick, it probably will not be a problem. I have had low counts for 30 years and rarely get sick. This could be another clue for you that you do have Celiac. Celiac causes a number of wonky blood counts so try not to worry too much about this.

  • 5 weeks later...
intolerant baker Newbie
intolerant baker
Posted

Thank you so much. I have also been having a lot of MS type symptoms, so there probably is a deficiency issue going on.

I just recently joined this forum and was looking through and saw your post. Have you gone for follow-up yet? My blood counts (white and red) are low. This started last year, before I knew I had a gluten issue. My eye doctor and primary care suspected MS, but it turns out I had extremely low b12 and vit. D levels. I would really have those checked. I have to get my blood checked every couple of months now

kittty Contributor
kittty
Posted

Have they done a break-down of the different white blood cell counts in your body? There are different varieties of white blood cells, and if you're just deficient in one type it might help identify the cause.

I have the opposite problem - my counts have been high for several years. A few weeks ago they were high again, but I got a more detailed report this time that showed only one type (neutrophils) was really high, but the other types were all normal.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


gatita Enthusiast
gatita
Posted

It was my low lymphocytes that caused my doc to suspect celiac.

So yeah, that seems to come with the territory.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      129,874
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kelly Bates
    Newest Member
    Kelly Bates
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • terrymouse
      Probably celiac but also confused

      By terrymouse · Posted

      I have an endoscopy booked for mid-September to test for Celiac. My gp seems convinced it is celiac and I should eliminate gluten right away, but the gastroenterologist I was referred to says if I'm totally gluten-free then they won't be able to detect celiac from the endoscopy, and I should load up on gluten 2 weeks before the test. So I guess I shouldn't eliminate gluten then? Or stop and start again closer to the appointment date. But I'm also on the wait list in case they can get me in sooner, because I'm losing weight. I don't want to have to go back and do it over again if I can help it. They also were unsure if there isn't something else wrong with my stomach, so that's a possibility. I don't have the details but from what I understood my blood tests results were positive but on the low end. So I'm getting mixed up here, do I go gluten-free or not? Would 2.5 months of being gluten-free make any noticable difference? 
    • knitty kitty
      Refractory Celiac disease - what to do

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Being low in B12, Folate B9, ferritin, zinc and copper sounds consistent with anemia which can often occur with Celiac.  What did your doctor recommend? What about your Vitamin D?  It helps regulate the immune system.  
    • ehb
      Refractory Celiac disease - what to do

      By ehb · Posted

      @knitty kitty thank you I am exploring these options, I really appreciate all the suggestions and info. I am only slightly below the normal range for folate, zinc and copper. And in the low end of the normal range for B12, ferritin, and vitamin A. I’m good for carotene magnesium and iron, but I’ve been taking 400 mg magnesium daily 
    • Alibu
      Waiting on biopsy after positive bloodwork, but also not really believing this is real

      By Alibu · Posted

      I just had my endoscopy the other day and the doctor took 12 samples because he said if we're going to find something we're going to find it today LOL. But when he got down there, he said everything looked good. So I have it in my head again that it's going to be negative because everyone I've heard of who had a positive biopsy had their endoscopies where the doctor was like yep, I can see the damage. My tissues all look great apparently. So if they come back negative, I'm not sure where to go from here. Could it still be a non-celiac gluten sensitivity even with my blood work? I thought NCGS didn't show up on blood tests. Is it possible that the biopsy still comes back positive even if everything looked healthy on endoscope? I had it done at a big hospital in the state, so I would think they'd have the kind of equipment where they'd be able to see it well. I even have pictures in my report and they don't seem to have the damage that others have seen.
    • trents
      Virus, celiac disease or both?

      By trents · Posted

      That's just it. When they are doing an EGD, even with biopsy, if they aren't thinking about celiac disease they may miss it. They should take several samples from both the duodenum and the duodenum bulb. Damage can be patchy and easily missed if sampling isn't through. And patch damage may explain lack of dramatic symptoms. Let me assure you that we frequently have posters on this forum who were silent celiacs for years and were diagnosed incidentally with celiac disease when their docs were checking for other things. They developed other medical problems such as anemia or vitamin and mineral deficiencies, neurological deficits, Hashimodo's thyroid, osteoporois, etc. - non GI symptoms - but their docs recognized those problems as often connected to celiac disease and had them checked for celiac disease, both blood antibody testing and biopsy, and found damage. A couple of years ago the Mayo Clinic did a large study involving over 300 people. They started with those officially diagnosed with celiac disease and also tested their first degree relatives. They found that almost 50% of  the first degree relatives tested positive for celiac disease and many or most were totally caught by surprise because they were largely asymptomatic. Their diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. I really don't have anything more to say. You have some decisions to make.
×
×
  • Create New...