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Low white blood cell count in 13yo

6 replies

LefttoherownDevizes · 02/03/2020 13:24

DD has always been ill since being a baby. Anything she caught she'd get worse, and always develop secondary infection (chicken pox, eczema, cold sore, impetigo, etc etc). She has had scarlet fever twice, and had her tonsils out after 18 bouts of tonsilitis in two years. She then developed an infection after her op and had a bleed so ended up in hospital for 4 days waiting for it to resolve.

After having her tonsils out she was relatively well for about 2 years - but in the last year or so she's had lots of low level things. Currently on her third stye within a fortnight, develops headaches most days, is tired, achey, v pale and just not right.

Recent blood test found low levels of white blood cells and her iron on low end of normal, so waiting for repeat results for a clearer picture.

I realise what worst case scenario may be, but anyone know any other potential causes? May be clutching at straws but is it possible for someone to be colonised with bugs that causes repeated infections? Failing that just handhold until we get test results?

If blood test results come back OK this time any suggestions on what we can do next as she can't carry on as is?

DH just doesn't seem to realise what this could be or that it's not fair to expect DD to keep on trudging on like this

OP posts:
Missillusioned · 02/03/2020 13:28

Coeliac disease can cause constant ill health and low iron. Not sure about white blood cells tho

QueenOfOversharing · 02/03/2020 14:02

Totally get why you're concerned, but it could be many things, and as you know would then leave her more open to infection. But there are loads of things that could reduce the WBC - an autoimmune disorder (could she have an undetected stomach issue?); some vitamin deficiencies can affect it - could you ask for a broader panel if tests (I'm assuming they'll be running more to get to the bottom if this). My DS kept getting shingles - he's had them 17 times now - so he was referred to immunologists who did masses of tests (his came back fine, except for platelets, so it was a mystery).

QueenOfOversharing · 02/03/2020 14:06

Meantime, hand hold. My DS has a very complex medical history & at one point they were talking about HIV infection (!!!!!) I'm a single mum & was terrified (despite knowing it couldn't be - but he had had blood transfusions). I totally understand being anxious & you may well feel everybody else is minimising it or not validating you're concern - that is very difficult. I used to say this to myself (mainly in my head) "worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but gets you nowhere".

LefttoherownDevizes · 02/03/2020 14:28

Thank you. Had forgotten she had shingles too.

Your poor son though, 17 times is horrific.

And thanks for coeliac suggestion, had wondered that too as she always got really bad stomach aches with illness but was put down to mesenteric adenitis. May ask for test if current ones show nothing of note

OP posts:
QueenOfOversharing · 02/03/2020 14:36

With that history, I'd definitely push for further tests. I'm sure others will come on & be more knowledgeable & hopefully have more suggestions.

We are lucky to live near Great Ormond St Hospital, so DS got seen by so many consultants there.

We were asked about sickle cell (his uncle has), hepatitis, and I've forgotten what else. But there are lots of things that could be underlying this that will be treatable.

QueenOfOversharing · 02/03/2020 14:40

Ah, also - has she had her thyroid tested? TSH, FT4 and FT3

I just got acute thyroiditis 3 weeks ago & my WBC is really high - but I'm wondering if other presentations might cause the reverse.

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