neutrophils low - googled what it could be and now I'm freaked out

[imisssleepandwine]

I've been feeling unwell recently (tired all the time and a strange heart rhythm) so decided to go for a full health check. On Wed I went in to discuss my blood results and I have very low white blood cells, specifically neutrophils, I am also anemic.

I googled what this might mean and leukemia is what's stuck in my head. I also found that it could be as simple as a vit B12 deficiency but I've been worrying a lot over the last few days. The doc has taken more blood to make sure the tests are accurate and said if the result come back the same she'll refer me to a hematologist.

I wish I hadn't googled it but I can't un-know what i read. Has anyone had similar results and if so what happened?

The best thing to do is wait and see the heomotologist who will do further tests. It is going to be tough waiting but researching wont necessarily give you the right diagnosis and make you worry more.
Do keep in touch though an I will help if I can

Thanks Iamseeingstars you're right. I've decided not to do anymore research as there is no point in worrying myself any further but it's in my head now. I'll just have to wait it out I suppose.

I'm hoping for a faulty first test or an easily fixed vitamin deficiency. I've already got myself some vit B12 complex to see if that'll help my energy levels.

I can reassure you that there are lots of non-cancerous reasons that your neutrophil count would be low. I have seen lots of young people referred to the haematologist only discover it is actually caused by poor/restricted diet. One girl lived on crisps and was profoundly anaemic and neutropenic.
There are other medical causes but I think you would be better waiting to see the Haematologist who will hopefully give you the answers you need.

Please don't automatically fear the worst and step away from Dr. Google!

I had very similar blood results just over a year and got referred onto an haematologist. It turned out that I was very anaemic due to my heavy periods (ferritin was really low too) and that some antibiotics I was taking for a skin complaint was causing the low white blood cells. I had to come off the antibiotics and took iron tablets for 3 months and thankfully my bloods come back to normal. All I can advise is too step away from google, as i had to steel myself away from it in the end as I was getting very stressed reading about the possibilities.

I feel for you. A work medical found I had a low white blood cell count about 5 years ago and I really freaked myself out with all the worry about what it could be. Five years on I still have 'out of range' scores. I feel pretty well most of the time. There's no obvious reason for my low neutrophils and leukocytes. the consultant has just referred me back to my doctors for monitoring of bloods every six months.

Something you might want to try for neutrophil count is eating more green leafy veg, and just not over-doing things at work and home. Getting enough sleep etc. My consultant told me that is is something she does see sometimes with mums - particularly those having quite stressful lives.

All the best. Try not to worry.

Thanks for the reassurance, I needed to hear all that. I will not be going to Dr Google ever again. I have been busy and stressed and although i study nutrition I've had a poor diet since before christmas. So I've been taking my b supplements, eating my greens and getting to bed a bit earlier.... Hopefully that'll boost my immune system a bit...

thanks again

Having low neutrophils does mean you are open to infection. But...you are doing the right thing in improving your diet and having further tests.

There is a 'norm' out there. Some people fall outside this for no known reason.

Take care and if you really think there is an underlying problem, don't let the doctors fob you off. Ask for more tests and reasons why things haven't improved if you have stuck to your change in diet.

Good luck.

Just want to add, in preparation for seeing the doctor, start making notes on how you feel. When did you start feeling tired? what triggers it? How tired are you? How much sleep do you get. Are there any other symptons? Are you drinking a minimum of 2l a day

I am sticking to the better diet the b- complex vitamins and green juices have helped my energy already. I drink 2L of water and a few herbal teas most days. i don't drink a lot of alcohol coffee or black tea so dehydration is not likely to be the cause.

The second lot of tests have shown an improvement so they took more blood today. I'm no longer that worried.

Thank you all for the reassurance and support.. it really helped me not spin of into a worry frenzy.

I had the exact same symptoms as you imislee 16 years ago and my immediate thought was leukaemia. I was soooo scared. A trip to the local hospital and the heamatology dept soon excluded that diagnosis and got my actual diagnosis pretty quickly.
My bloods are still low and guess they always will be but healthy eating/reducing stress levels and listening to what my body tells me when l am knackered has helped greatly.