Do I count as immunosuppressed?

[cinammonbuns]

I’m not panicking about the virus situation. I’m cautious but not anxious and I have read information stating those who are immunocompromised are more likely at risk for major complications.

I don’t have diabetes or am long term immunosuppressed but since birth I have been sickly very often. About 3 times a year I would say I get very sick.

All the blood tests I have had have brought back that my neutrophils were way below the average range and I have been diagnosed as having chronic neutropenia.

When I google neutropenia it comes up with many results about those who are on chemotherapy and the neutropenia they experience after which makes them immunosuppressed.

I am wondering if chronic neutropenia means I am immunosuppressed.

This won’t make me panic or worry so if it does don’t worry about telling me if you think it will make me anxious, I’m quite calm about this whole thing.

I just want to know in case I should take any extra precautions if it becomes more widespread.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Yes, you are immunosuppressed. Have you had G-CSF treatment?

@HavelockVetinari
Thanks for the repsonse! No, although it seems my neutropenia along with my anemia is the cause of my chronic fatigue, my gp is not interested in treating it bar giving me iron tablets.

Unless I am contracting serious infections regularly I doubt I would be able to get any treatment on the NHS.

That's interesting - can you push for a referral to a specialist? It might be that G-CSF isn't suitable for you (IIRC it's usually given to kids, but l don't know much about it) but you should certainly be seen by someone other than your GP. Of course this does depend on your neutrophil level, if it's borderline they likely wouldn't do much.

@HavelockVetinari

I think the normal range is about 2.0-7.5 and I fluctuate between 0.6 and 1.1 so I would say below borderline.

My GP really doesn’t seem interested but I’ll look into another seeing doctor at my office to see if they would escalate it.

I would say so I have autoimmune neutropenia and see haematology every 10 weeks

Forgot to add I am around 0,3 usually but I take GCSF weekly