What Causes High WBC Count With History Of Aplastic Anemia?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014

Question: My mother has a history of aplastic anemia. Recently she was diagnosed with high WBC count of 65000 after she had severe diarrhea. Doctor prescribed her omnacortil 10 mg initially 30 mg for 2 days and then 40 mg for 2 days and thereafter 60 mg for four days. After having 40 mg for two days her wbc count went upto 101000 and after taking 60 mg for three days her wbc count XXXXXXX to 160000. All the while her platelet count remained stable at 12000 to 14000. She has a history of such low platelets for last 17 years. Now please advise me on following points:-

1. Why did the wbc count go up?
2. Is it because of her intake of omnacortil?
3. What is your advise?
4. What are the dangers of having such high wbc count?
5. Your suggested treatment?
XXXXXXX
email id: YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
not related to Omnacortil

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

It is not usual for patients with aplastic anaemia to have such high counts. Omnacortil also doesnt cause such high counts. I wonder what further tests were done apart from CBP. Bone marrow examination and/or flow cytometry is needed in such cases to arrive at the diagnosis.

Bone marrow would throw light on the cause. Probable cause is occurrence of leukemia which means blood cancer. In all such cases steroids should not be started without confirmatory diagnosis. Please consult the right doctor, get worked up properly and then go for treatment.

Take care

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T