Please reassure me about low WBC count....

[LaContessaDiPlump]

I gave blood samples yesterday - timed for first day of my period as I suspect I may be entering perimenopause.

The surgery called me back this morning (not 24 hours later!) to tell me that my WBC was low and so I needed to go back and give blood again. I'm scheduled in for Wednesday.

How likely is it that this is a technical error? Does that happen often? I haven't been rife with infection recently so am a bit tbh.

For background, I have an underactive thyroid. Also, a family history of leukaemia and autoimmune diseases in general on my mum's side.

Slightly nervous and I thnk I now have psychosomatic fatigue so generally reassuring noises would be welcome thanks....

Anyone?

an Admin error isn't very likely sorry but I wouldn't worry until you had repeated tests.

What are your other symptoms? I.e. Why did you think you are entering menopause?

My mood plummeted (to an unusual degree) around the time of my period each month for 2 months, to the extent where I thought I might actually have gone mad. I've also had various symptoms indicating hormonal changes (acne, dry eyes, hot flushes after consuming hot drinks, night sweats, mental disorientation) which seem to track quite well with where my cycle should be (although that too has become rather unpredictable).

I should have said perimenopause, sorry; my mum and aunt went through menopause at 45 and 40 respectively, and I'm 35 now. It seems possible....

Ds had low WBC on a blood test once and had to get it redone. The nurse said it happens quite a lot and 99% of the time the second ine is fine (and ds was). think she said it might be low if you'd had a cold/bug/minor infection.

Thanks. I'm hoping (in this order) for the following:

1. An error
2. A minor infection causing a dip in WBCs (perhaps pericarditis as I've been having chest pains off and on recently)
3. A disease that I know to be in the family, that I am familiar with (e.g. lupus)

To think that I only got the blood test because of potential perimenopause. I'd be quite happy with that right now!

Mine is (very!) unusual but I had v v low neutrophils within my WBC and was diagnosed with autoimmune neutropenia. All scary at first but it's not actually too bad! It could be a blip, I've had a couple of blood tests had to be repeated

Did you have your thyroid levels checked too? Could be you are a bit hyper now?

Have you had your WBC's checked before? It's just mine are known to be "low", but my Lovely GP looked back on my records and reassured me that, actually, that level was my "normal".

Fingers crossed it's nothing sinister OP

Fix they were testing FSH, luteinising hormone, T4 and/or T3 (I forget), plus urea and general blood type stuff (inc WBC, obv). So thyroid's beign checked too.

I would be ASTONISHED if I am hyper given that I am knackered most of the time and only take 75mg daily! Still, it's possible I guess.

Well. It turns out that my WBCs are just a tiny bit under 4, which I scoffed at until the doctor mildly pointed out that my platelets are low too. Hmm. I have given the next sample anyway now so we shall see.

In other news, I am if anything a bit hypothyroidal and so they are upping my dose! Hurrah! I have a mental image of myself being a bit like Mario after a mushroom once the new dose kicks in