I went to the Dr. for a physical.

etothepii · 26-Jul-07, 05:33 PM

All the blood work came back great, except for my white blood cell count. It was low -- 3300. Normal is supposed to be 4000 - 10,000. The doctor called and asked if I had been sick recently, because that could cause the low cell count. I have not been sick at all. She is having another test done in late August.

Anyhow, does anyone have any ideas on what could cause this? One friend suggested that lifting 3x per week and cycling 3x per week may be the cause.

26-Jul-07, 05:39 PM

Sorry I can't be of help but I am curious so I hope you give us a follow-up post so we can learn.

Did you ever go with a male doctor or did you go with a female doctor with big hands and long fingers (re: your earlier thread)?

Nice to know that your cholesterol and fasting blood glucose readings were good. How was your blood pressure and pulse?

etothepii · 26-Jul-07, 05:51 PM

Hi Pierini!

I went to my female doctor. The "embarassing" stuff doesn't need to be done at my age.

Everything other than white blood cells was stellar! I can remember my heart rate at the time, but it's usually between 50 and 60 anyway. My blood pressure was 111 over 70. Cholesterol was 180. (This is coming from memory. I will get the report in a few days.) Glucose and thyroid were all in the normal range.

I just wonder if protein synthesis can cause a depletion of white blood cells, much like an immune system response. I have been tearing my body up pretty well in this current lifting cycle!!!

TomG · 26-Jul-07, 11:42 PM

Quote:

I have been tearing my body up pretty well in this current lifting cycle!!!

That's my bet. "Tearing my body up" is not a healthy phrase.

**.V.** · 27-Jul-07, 10:49 AM

e2pi, I have no clue but will know by tonight. I'll let you know what I learn.

etothepii · 27-Jul-07, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomG

That's my bet. "Tearing my body up" is not a healthy phrase.

Actually, it's the cardio that's tearing me up. I'm doing a very sensible HST cycle right now.

Quote:

e2pi, I have no clue but will know by tonight. I'll let you know what I learn.

Thanks Andy. I appreciate anything you might be able to tell me!

**.V.** · 27-Jul-07, 07:16 PM

You may have a viral infection which does occasionally lower the WBC count. It would be expected to raise it, but actually DOES sometimes make it go down. Have you been achey and sore? If not, then look at the nutrifill count and the differential. If they are at 70% or more, then no worries, it's perfectly normal in a healthy person with no problems to have a low WBC count. And depending on the lab, it's lower than you thought, normal usually starts at 5000.

Soooo, if you feel ok, there is probably nothing wrong causing this.

Hematology is somewhat interesting, but also somewhat over my head. Ouch.

etothepii · 27-Jul-07, 09:47 PM

Thanks Andy. I've not felt sick at all in months. Not even a little. Hmm... I'm not worried. I guess I don't have anything to worry about anyway. We'll see what the follow up test in late August shows.

Maxgain · 28-Jul-07, 08:52 AM

The fact is it could be so many things but lets be practical. You are a healthy guy.

Befoire you mentioned your training type I would of asked what is your cardio like on top of your weights.
Excesive exercise will reduce your immune system. YOu may not be doing much over a week period but add it up over weeks and it can be stressful without knowing it.
You didnt happen to get the bloods done after one of these heavy cardio sessions did you
I think it is a valuable warning sign about your recovery and be careful not to burn out soon.
How were urea creatnine and electrolytes any signs of dehydration electrolyte imbalance for CNS recovery?