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Original poster

WBC and Neutrophils dropping

26 replies

PoppyBlunt · 27/08/2023 09:51

Over the last 12 months, I've had four blood tests. Two through work and two through GP, so the dots aren't joined up.
I've just noticed that both my WBC and Neutrophils have dropped progressively during that time.

The latest two tests were July this year (WBC 5.4 and Neutrophil 3.3) and August this year (WBC 4.4 and Neutrophil 2.7).
I'm concerned as it doesn't seem to be a blip, more a progressive drop since the first tests in May last year (WBC 6.6 Neutrophil 5).

Fully appreciate I need to speak to my GP on Tuesday to get the tests (work and GP) all considered together, but in the meantime, has anyone had something similar?
Google is making me worried!

OP posts:
Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 27/08/2023 14:14

Bumping...

OP posts:
WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 27/08/2023 19:40

Are all those numbers in the reference range? I think they are?

Your numbers will never be the same surely. Can depend if you are fighting off a virus etc.

WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 27/08/2023 19:41

E.g I just found an old blood test which they took when I had a nasty chest infection and my neutrophils were 1.63.

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 27/08/2023 19:59

@WillWeSeeTheSunAgain
Yep, they're all in reference range, but very much the lower end.
I haven't had any viruses etc (that I've been aware of) and was getting worried as each result was worse than the last rather than an up and down kind of trajectory 😬

OP posts:
WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 27/08/2023 20:27

Ah I see. What were you having the tests for?

stayclosetoyourself · 27/08/2023 20:33

Think those results are normal?

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 27/08/2023 20:43

The work ones were because we have to have an annual health check. I can't remember why I had the gp ones last year (just found them on my nhs app), and the most recent ones are due to pain near liver.

Hopefully over analysing!!

OP posts:
WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 27/08/2023 21:04

Hopefully all is ok. They only really make sense when referencing why you had them done. Also I think if they were done in different labs, that can account for some differences.

stayclosetoyourself · 27/08/2023 21:15

I mean with WCC we wouldn't take note of the number going slightly down unless actually in the abnormal range and even then it's often non specific.
Post chemo cancer patients often have low neutrophils and then it's clinically relevant if they have sepsis

ShadyCat · 27/08/2023 21:39

Neutrophils vary a lot - I'm neutropenic and wouldn't worry at those numbers!
I was diagnosed at 0.3, mine range between 0.2 and I've reached the dizzy heights of 2 on a good day Grin

I mean if it keeps dropping and dropping then yes I would be looking into it

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 28/08/2023 16:43

Thanks everyone.
I think I might be over analysing, just don't like the way it was tracking.

OP posts:
Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 06/10/2023 20:53

Following on from the above, I paid to have another private test. This time via Thriva.
I hoped it would put my mind and health anxiety at ease. But the results are wbc 4 and Neutrophils at 2.3.
So even worse and still on a downwards trajectory. I'm not sure what to do next. Go back to the gp and ask for further tests?but not sure what.
Apologies for the download!

OP posts:
Happygerbil · 06/10/2023 20:59

Those results are entirely normal. Please don't worry. If your GP tried to refer you to a Haematologist it would be rejected. If it would put your mind at rest have another blood test in 6-12 months.

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 06/10/2023 21:13

Thanks @happygerbil , that's helpful
I think I was worried about the continual reduction of neutrophils over the last 6 weeks 3.3 -> 2.7 -> 2.3

It seemed bad and I get in a tailspin.

OP posts:
Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 06/10/2023 21:19

*9 weeks

OP posts:
Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 30/10/2023 16:41

Me again - in a massive tailspin.
Latest bloods showing neutrophils at 1.8, so another drop.

It's gone 3.3 -> 2.7 -> 2.3 -> 1.8 over the last 4 months with the last two being over three weeks.

I'm struggling to get an appointment with my gp. When I do, what should I ask for? Getting really worried that it keeps dropping and dropping.

OP posts:
PawsisShady · 30/10/2023 16:57

Just book and say it's about blood test results
I don't think they will be worried at that level but probably do a repeat one again

TartBlueberry · 30/10/2023 21:23

Are the thriva ones just from a drop of blood from a finger? Is there a reason you are worried that makes you keep testing?

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 30/10/2023 21:30

TartBlueberry · 30/10/2023 21:23

Are the thriva ones just from a drop of blood from a finger? Is there a reason you are worried that makes you keep testing?

@tartblueberry
They're all from vials.
Bupa was annual work thing.
GP one was because I've been feeling rubbish and last two were because I'm still feeling rubbish and getting really anxious. My hoping was that the blood test would show an improvement and my health anxiety would calm down. 😔

OP posts:
StepsInTime · 30/10/2023 21:44

Ask to be referred to a haematologist

StepsInTime · 30/10/2023 21:44

As you are worried

TartBlueberry · 31/10/2023 06:18

Poor you, it's not nice to feel so worried about your health. I would book a GP appointment and tell them how you're feeling but there are also a lot of viruses going around that are lasting a long time and making people feel rubbish. I really hope you feel better soon.

MyNameIsArthur · 31/10/2023 18:41

Hi OP even if your blood counts are still within the normal range, if I was a doctor I would be wanting to know why they have been continually falling. I hope you get to speak to your gp and ask if they can refer you to Haematology. All my blood counts fell to well below the ranges and I needed transfusions for platelets and red blood. I had a bone marrow biopsy which diagnosed MDS and I then needed a stem cell transplant. I don't know how long before I first started noticing my symptoms and my first blood test, that my blood counts had been dropping. May have been over a short time period or over a long time. Just don't know. Is good that you are keeping track of them. I hope you will be okay.

Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 01/11/2023 10:56

Thank you for your replies.

I spoke to the GP and she was a bit dismissive, saying I needed to have blood tests at the surgery and see what the results of those were as different labs have different ranges.
I don't really understand this as the ranges are irrelevant in terms of the pattern of my bloods.

OP posts:
Original poster
PoppyBlunt · 01/11/2023 10:57

MyNameIsArthur · 31/10/2023 18:41

Hi OP even if your blood counts are still within the normal range, if I was a doctor I would be wanting to know why they have been continually falling. I hope you get to speak to your gp and ask if they can refer you to Haematology. All my blood counts fell to well below the ranges and I needed transfusions for platelets and red blood. I had a bone marrow biopsy which diagnosed MDS and I then needed a stem cell transplant. I don't know how long before I first started noticing my symptoms and my first blood test, that my blood counts had been dropping. May have been over a short time period or over a long time. Just don't know. Is good that you are keeping track of them. I hope you will be okay.

Hope you are feeling much better now @MyNameIsArthur

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