Low white blood cells in a child - help

[Yellowblueblack]

Hi everyone,
I’m posting here for traffic so I hope that’s ok.

My 4 year old has been anaemic in the past, and during a routine blood test for it (due to tiredness), they flagged up low white blood cells.

They requested a repeat blood test 2 weeks from then, and they also came back low.

They requested the same, and they came back low again. Now they are requesting a repeat again!

This will be the 4th blood test, when they are already aware of the low white blood cells?

I don’t know the ranges as I’ve had trouble obtaining a copy.

I knew straight away that it can indicate cancer and auto immune disorder etc, and I feel there is a lot of slack on the doctors behalf of dealing with this appropriately.

I’ve had no communication since the appointment that they requested a retest, other than a ‘note’ put on the system each time to ‘retest in 2 weeks - low’.

My 4 year started school this month, and is really struggling with tiredness, to the point that his teacher has suggested part time school for the rest of the year. I now need to contact the headteacher to arrange this .

The doctors have no available appointments, but when they open after lunch (soon) I’m calling to ask for a phone consultation to discuss.

Any ideas on what to do? Have you had this situation, and what was the cause?

I’m going out of my mind worrying about him, because he’s crying of tiredness all the time and I feel that no action is being taken to help him out.

Thanks in advance.

Are they only testing his cell count or are they doing other types of tests as well? Maybe they are and are only reporting the anomalies and the low white cell count is the only one that is coming back abnormal.

I remember being referred to a specialist about something and being told my GP had excluded all these other quite frightening things that I wasn't even fully aware I was tested for.

I think it’s fair to ask them if they’re just retesting to make sure of the result/assess change or if all the repeated tests are for some kind of diagnostic path they’re going down.

Thanks for responding ChilledBee!
As far as I’m aware they are doing a full blood count each time, based on what the reception can see.

At the last appointment I asked what would happen if it comes back low again, and I was told he would be referred to a specialist.

But currently nothing other than retesting . I’m currently on hold to the doctors as I type!

Tell the doctors that your 4 year old is fatigued and its affecting them being able to go to school, because it could be related to the anaemia or it could be something more sinister.

I'd be asking for a more definitive test to make sure it's not leukaemia, like a bone marrow biopsy.

Why are you having trouble getting a print out? Your GP surgery should be handing this over to you if requested.
I would ask the gp which specialist they would be transferring him to if it comes back low again and then ask why they haven’t referred him yet.
If you are getting nowhere then you can always change drs surgery or pay for a 1 off private appointment (I’m not 100% sure you can refer private for 1 appointment but worth finding out the information. The private GP may refer for their own blood tests which you would also need to pay for if you went this route)

What a frightening situation for you. I hope your little boy is OK. I think that nobody can afford to waste time - I'd make an urgent appointment with the GP and insist on a referral.

Thank you everyone for responding.
I’ve just got off the phone with the doctors, and you are right PianoTuner567 they are retesting as a way of diagnosing, as they are tracking the levels. Just wish that the GP had explained this during the appointment!
I am really concerned how much it’s affecting him at school, especially as he already has problems (currently under ASD pathway).
TheTrollFairy, they’ve just updated systems and I need to re-register for access and wait for access information in the post, alternatively get a doctors appointment!
He has a blood test booked for a weeks time, and then I’ve booked an appointment for a few days after and I’ll be expecting them to take action. If not I’ll be contacting the head of the doctors surgery, and demand action be taken.
Thank again everyone.