You Answered A Few Question Regarding My WBC Count .

Posted on Wed, 26 Aug 2020

Question: Brief Answer:
White cell is usually not low in myeloma

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing back.

Myeloma has low RBC/hemoglobin but rarely low WBC and platelet. So I don't think myeloma is the diagnosis here. Back pain can be because of various other reasons too.

Did you undergo a bone marrow exam? I think a marrow is required in you.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (0 minute later)

You answered a few question regarding my WBC count.

It was down to 1.9. In XXXXXXX it went back up to 2.5. About a week ago it was back down to 2.0. I am scheduled for another check on the 11th of this month.

My latest concern is myeloma. Should I be concerned? I am experiencing some back pain, although I did do some heavy lifting about 3 weeks ago. Red blood cell count and platelet, along with WBC would be low with myeloma, correct?

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (34 minutes later)

Thank you for the quick reply! I am really concerned. I do have a biopsy scheduled for the 17th. I did get the flow cytometry test and that was negative as well.

A few questions:

Wouldn't a doctor test for all potential blood cancers or in this case is he basing what tests are required based on current results?

Once again, based on history of WBC and symptoms I would like your professional opinion on what you might think it is. If you recall I do have RA. Does the range of WBC going up and down tell you anything?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
For that bone marrow is required

Detailed Answer:
All potential blood cancers (or MDS) can only be ruled out by a bone marrow. Till we do that, any number of blood tests can't rule out completely.

I think we should rule out MDS still by a bone marrow. If that is normal, then we need to observe only.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar