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Hep C Discussion Forum -> On Treatment -> Increasing WBC
Post Info TOPIC: Increasing WBC
Bouba


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Increasing WBC
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I have got Neupogen prescription once my neutrophils fell through 0.75.

Did not have it to hand on a dart's day and had to reduce one time interferon to 135ug.

After 3 Neupogen injections neutrohils up to 12.5,  wbc - to 15.5 (from 1.9).

Skipped one weekly Neupogen, given the elevated results,.

Next day labs showed wbc at 3 and neutrophils down to 0.9...

Looks like will have to use Neupogen for the remaimimg tx to keep interferon at 180ug recommended dose.

 



-- Edited by Bouba on Wednesday 20th of February 2013 08:59:32 PM

__________________

58 yo male, HCV since 1981. Gen 1B (IL28B, CT). Diagnosed 1999,  VL before tx 100'000. Biopsy A2, F3 fibrosis. Naive, SOT (with Incivek) Oct 26, 2012. UND @ week 4, 12, 18, 24, UND 12 and 24 weeks post-RX
DJ


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OK, I guess I just have to see how things go. My doctor didn't advice me to do anything different, but reminded me to continue taking Vit D (she seems to think Vit C helps treatment work better, not sure how but I take per her request). I will be glad when cold and flu season is over.

__________________

Genotype 3.  Treatment started on 1/11/2013 with Ribavirin and Pegatron.  Week 4 UND.  Week 12 UND.  Ended treatment on 6/28/2013.  Six months post treatment 12/04/2013 SVR.
mallani


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Hi Deb,

Most patients on HCV Rx suffer from decreased white blood cells (WBC). This is a direct effect of bone marrow depression from Interferon.

Normal range for WBC is 4.0 -10.5 billion cells/Litre. HCV patients on Rx typically drop the WBC by 30-50%, so this is normal. There is no indication for Interferon dose reduction unless the WBC fall below 2.  Of interest is the Neutrophil count (the most common WBC). This is the cell responsible for fighting infection and some Doctors prefer to use this count . During Rx, my Neutrophil count averaged 1.3, and dropped to 1.1 at it's lowest.

Low WBC and platelets are due to Interferon. Ribavirin does not play a significant role.

By all means try any supplements that are approved by your Doctor. They probably don't have any effect.

If WBC become very low, drugs like Neupogen can be used to stimulate WBC production. This should be tried before Interferon doses are reduced.



__________________

Geno 1b, IL28B CT,  x3 prior relapser,  ex-cirrhotic, 75 yo, did 48 weeks with Victrelis/Peg./Riba.  VL 1.28m at start, UNDET. at 8 ,12 ,16 ,24 ,30  and 48 weeks.  EOT 15 Feb 2013 , UNDET. at EOT + 28 weeks. SVR!  Still Undet. at EOT +5 years

Malcolm
DJ


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JoAnneh wrote:

How low are your WBC? Evidently I was supposed to be lowered around 3 month
Because when I went to my visit she said, we will
Do blood work to see if lowering your RIBA
has helped your blood count.
No one told me anything and of course
I got no straight answer nor did I care for
Explanation. I was glad I didn't reduce.
She said my counts went up.
I take B-12, Centrum without iron, vita e,
Vita D daily and fish oil twice daily.
I think it has definitely helped.
Search vitamins on forum.
Hopefully you will get better blood results soon.
Many people have achieved SVR taking
Reduced dosages.
Keep us posted

 At least so far my doctor is not having me reduce.  I just want to try to keep my WBC from getting any lower so she doesn't reduce my meds.  I will search the forum for vitamins.  I am just nervous about taking any that my doctor didn't tell me to take, but I would ask her about adding some new ones.  She has me on a multi-vitamin and a Vit D pill and I also take iron because I normally have low iron so it was from before treatment and she is having me continue.  Thanks for the info!



__________________

Genotype 3.  Treatment started on 1/11/2013 with Ribavirin and Pegatron.  Week 4 UND.  Week 12 UND.  Ended treatment on 6/28/2013.  Six months post treatment 12/04/2013 SVR.
JoAnneh


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1077
Date:
Permalink  
 

How low are your WBC? Evidently I was supposed to be lowered around 3 month
Because when I went to my visit she said, we will
Do blood work to see if lowering your RIBA
has helped your blood count.
No one told me anything and of course
I got no straight answer nor did I care for
Explanation. I was glad I didn't reduce.
She said my counts went up.
I take B-12, Centrum without iron, vita e,
Vita D daily and fish oil twice daily.
I think it has definitely helped.
Search vitamins on forum.
Hopefully you will get better blood results soon.
Many people have achieved SVR taking
Reduced dosages.
Keep us posted


__________________

JoAnne

Genotype 1a, Triple therapy w/Invicek started May 19, 2012

DET 4 wk. UND 2,6,12,24 48 treatment. Achieved SVR 2013!
DJ


Senior Member

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Posts: 306
Date:
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Is there anything we can do to help increase our White Blood Cells (non-prescription).  Like are there foods that help?  Or getting more rest?  Anyone know of what might help.  So far I am not so low that they are going to reduce my medicines, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do to keep from getting lower.

Thanks!



__________________

Genotype 3.  Treatment started on 1/11/2013 with Ribavirin and Pegatron.  Week 4 UND.  Week 12 UND.  Ended treatment on 6/28/2013.  Six months post treatment 12/04/2013 SVR.
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