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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Elevated WBC Count While On Antibiotics?

I am currently on an antibiotic for bacterial infection, steroids to reduce inflammation in my lungs to help with my breathing and oxygen levels. Overnight friday I gained 30 lbs water weight, started lasex and will lose 10 lbs over about 8 hours. Since Saturday morning it has stayed continual; Monday blood work was done to rule out CHF and try to determine cause. My protein levels good, negative CHF, only problems from blood test show Glucose 205 (they said probably due to steroids) and my white blood count is high. I didn t get to talk to the doctor - and person I spoke too was not helpful. What could be cause for elevated white blood count & should I be watching for anything in particular?
Wed, 27 Dec 2017
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello. Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. Elevated wbc count is leucocytosis. Leucocytosis is caused mostly due to infections. Bacterial infections might cause neutrophil fraction of wbc to rise and hence total wbc count increases. Viral infections cause lymphocytes to increase. Inflammatory conditions also raise wbc count. It is probably due to your underlying condition and was masked due to water retention earlier and is unmasked by water loss by Lasix. It will resolve after your infection is controlled. Thanks.
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What Causes Elevated WBC Count While On Antibiotics?

Hello. Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. Elevated wbc count is leucocytosis. Leucocytosis is caused mostly due to infections. Bacterial infections might cause neutrophil fraction of wbc to rise and hence total wbc count increases. Viral infections cause lymphocytes to increase. Inflammatory conditions also raise wbc count. It is probably due to your underlying condition and was masked due to water retention earlier and is unmasked by water loss by Lasix. It will resolve after your infection is controlled. Thanks.