Unexpected blood results...

[Angrybird]

Howdy everyone. I am nearly at week six of my Aza re-start and am at 75mg. I have a query about some of my blood results (yes still on weekly tests currently - yawn) and it is to do with my WBC and neutrophil counts. Surprisingly enough instead of being low they are actually high!!

According to my little monitoring booklet the WBC should be between 4 and 11, on the 2nd Feb it was 11.5 and on the 10th 13.4. Neutrophils should be between 2 and 7.5, on the 26th Jan they were 8.35, then on then 2nd up to 10.72 and the last result was 12.43.

My GI and the pharmacist I saw today did not seem overly concerned as I feel alright. I have had no sniffles, coughs, colds, sore throats etc at all in ages.

Has anyone had this? Could it be the pred? Strangely enough the pharmacist could not give me any ideas at all on this.....

Any assistance would be appreciated

 

[DustyKat]

Pred can cause an increase in WBC...Matt had both of these elevated whilst on Imuran and Pred and originally only slightly so but his ended up being related to infection.

Since they are both elevated do you think you may have some sort of infection/flare going on?

Are they doing inflammatory markers routinely as well? If not maybe get them done with your bloods?

Dusty. xxx

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Dusty, my inflammation markers are actually back to the higher end of normal - yay! I have wondered about infection... is it possible to have one without actually experiencing any obvious symptoms?

 

[Terriernut]

Angry darlin! It does, like Dusty says, sound like a wee bit of infection is going on somewhere. Frankly, during cold and flu season, its possible that is causing a bit of a raised marker for you?

Lets see what next week brings maybe??? As long as you dont crash and burn like I did, I'm hoping this Aza time is going to be good for you! (that sounds like a blooming commercial...sorry)

 

[Angrybird]

Thanks Misty I think I will see what this weeks bloods show then and if they are still high I will insist they look into it more. It is a bit of a concern that something is potentially sitting there untreated.....

 

[littlemissh]

Hi AB,
The rising white cell count would suggest a mild infection. Generally neutrophils go up with bacterial infection and lymphocytes go up with viral infections. The levels are not overly high though so if you are feling well with no temp I wouldn't worry.
On the plus side it shows your body is fighting the infection despite the imuran which is good.
I would just keep an eye on how you feel and any sign of infection get it checked - and remember being on pred can hide some signs like tempeartures etc.
Hope you are OK.

 

[Angrybird]

Thanks hun, will see how things go......have been feeling weary (had a 2hr nap this afternoon) but that is all.

 

[carolhew]

AB, I hope you get the answers you are looking for! You sound like me, weary. The internet can be a bad thing at times! Try not to worry...I know easier said than done!

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

My white blood counts are often up and down and they tell me its because of Azathioprine. But obviously they know you are on that and I'm guessing thats why your being monitored?
I wish I had one of those booklets you speak of! I never know my results in that much detail. They usually just tell me 'normal' 'high' 'low'.

 

[Angrybird]

Thanks chappies, I can happily admit that my previous problem with the Aza is seriously making me quite jumpy about these results. I just do not want things to go wrong again.

LMV - The booklets are great for comparing previous results against each other. Perhaps ask you IMB nurse about one? This is where I got mine from.

 

[Terriernut]

Oh AB, I just know things are gonna be ok for you this time. I sure hope so anyway. After my little 'incident' with 6MP, I'm worried for you too.

When are the latest test results due back to you?

 

[Angrybird]

My next blood test is Friday so I should be able to get the results hopefully Mon PM/Tues AM.

I really appreciate the support and advice guys, luv you :ghug:

 

[Terriernut]

:ghug: back AB!!!

 

[littlemissh]

:kiss::kiss: