Last week, I had a large panel of blood work done for my endocrinologist and my PCP. Neither of these doctors are in the same system as my cancer team (2 different hospital systems).

The good news is that my thyroid is back in action after my TSH spiked to 40, due to me trying to schedule my Synthroid at times when it would not interfere with other meds that I take...I failed at that one, so now I set my alarm for 6 AM and take my Synthroid...about 2.5 to 3 hours before I take my other morning meds.

Getting to my issue..

I had a CBC (complete blood count) and my WBC (white blood cells) were low...about 10-15 thousand/microliter lower than the low end of the acceptable range.

Also, my lymphocyte/monocyte ratio was 0.57 thousand/microliter, whereas 0.99 is the low end of the acceptable range.

I immediately put a call into my MO to alert her of this and to get an explanation, but I have not heard back from her (I called last Friday).

I put a call into my PCP and there are several reasons why one might have these low values: viral infection (which I do not have/have not had recently), chemoradiation (did not specify if it was only CURRENTLY undergoing or LATE EFFECTS of chemoradiation), autoimmune disease (don't have to my knowledge), lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and a few others.

My PCP forwarded the results to my medical oncologist, who is a hematologist, as well. I know I'm not her only patient, of course, but when you are THE patient, it feels like forever when you are worried about the test results of something...especially me who had anxiety/depression at baseline and 2 bouts of cancer and motherhood have made these issues skyrocket.

I'm wondering if anyone out there has a low WBC as part of their "new normal". I am 2 years and 3 months out of treatment with chemoradiation. While in treatment, I was hospitalized for 2 weeks due to neutropenia. My counts weren't coming up fast enough on their own, so I had one or two shots of Neupogen which did the trick.

I have a follow up appointment with my PCP this Friday. I hope to hear something from my MO by then. I know we aren't doctors and I'm not looking for medical advice, just asking if anyone knows if this is common to have low WBC so long after chemoradiation. From what I have read (reliable sources), I am immunocompromised...to what extent, I am not sure.

Love and hope in OCF,
Kerri

37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!