Question 1

in sickle cell anemia, why there is increase susceptibility of infection despite elevated wbc ?

Accepted Answer

Functional Asplenia: The spleen, which is part of the immune system, tends to stop working by the time a baby with sickle cell disease is 4-6 months of age due to damage done by the sickled red blood cells. The spleen's function is to act as a filter to remove bacteria from the blood. Once the spleen is no longer working, the individual is at risk for developing certain types of serious bacterial infections.

Question 2

my father has a rare type of sickle cell that affects his wbc's instead of rbc's. is there any information on this type of sickle cell trait?

Accepted Answer

Contradiction in: terms. WBCs do not have sickle cell disorder. Sickle cell disorder is due to a variant hemoglobin and only RBCs have hemoglobin in any quantity to undergo sickling.

Question 3

my wbc back at 15 with increased neut and mildly elevated esr. my doc think its a gout flare since i have knee pain/swelling for the past 2 weeks. i have sickle cell sc dz. not sure what is going on with me. do you think this is a sickle attack?

Accepted Answer

Need to examine: It is not feasible to provide a meaningful opinion without additional history, physical examination and may be some tests. Your doctor who has examined you and knows your health history is likely to be correct.

Question 4

why might having a sickle cell anemia crisis result in a reduced red blood cell count, an elevated white blood cell count, and a reduced hematocrit?

Accepted Answer

Acute blood trapping: Sickle cell crisis occurs because these patients red cell are not elastic, gets trapped  in vessels, in spleen,liver, lungs,leading to loss from circulation, hence low red cells and hematocrit in CBC. Repeated episodes compromise immune functions and patients prone to infections, which could then induce rise in white blood cells to fight infections. BE hydrated, No strenous exercise ArePreventive.

Question 5

how are low white blood cell count and sickle cell connected?

Accepted Answer

Nothing: They are not associated. A low white count is found in about 15% of african americans and has no clinical significance.

Question 6

my daughter's wbc count was 22, 200 cells/ul. is that serious?

Accepted Answer

Not by itself.: You could see white counts this high with mild infections as well as serious ones, and it is actually a normal count for a newborn.

Question 7

my white cell count and neutrophils is high 
wbc count is 15.5
neutrophils is 12.4?

Accepted Answer

Just numbers: Lab results usually are numbers, and numbers are just numbers, with little meaning unless a doctor takes in the whole picture of what's going on with his patient.  If a patient's blood white cell count is somewhat higher than the reference range, the ordering doctor may or may not consider the result a problem, depending on the patient's symptoms, disorders, medications, and previous lab results.

Question 8

is there any significance in abs 0 eosi & baso cells? i've  had wbc count of around 16.5 for months (no infection) neutro abs 11.43 imm grans .05

Accepted Answer

Probably normal: First I wonder why have you been having white blood cell counts drawn several times over the course of months? That may be an important clue.

Your overall WBC is on the high side, but probably not pathological; your lymphocytes may be on the high side (are they greater than 5000 ?) - ask your doc if you should see a hematologist

Otherwise, your basophils and eosinophils are likely not a problem.

Question 9

what can i do if my wbc count is 3.7l what does that mean{ white blood cells}?

Accepted Answer

It may not : Mean much. A WBC under 4 is low, but depending on which cells are low it may or may not be of any consequence.

Question 10

i have ra and am taking biologic medications. my most recent blood test showed wbc count of 4.9 cell/mm3.  is this dangerously low?

Accepted Answer

No: This is on the low side of normal.  But what is more important is the breakdown of different white blood cells like neutrophils versus lymphocytes.  Overall, it's probably of limited concern and will likely be fine to be just monitored in the future.  If you have significant concerns I would consider reviewing this with your mother's primary care physician or rheumatologist.  Best of luck.

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Doctor answers about:

WBC count in sickle cell

A member asked:

In sickle cell anemia, why there is increase susceptibility of infection despite elevated wbc ?

A member asked:

My father has a rare type of sickle cell that affects his wbc's instead of rbc's. is there any information on this type of sickle cell trait?

A member asked:

My wbc back at 15 with increased neut and mildly elevated esr. my doc think its a gout flare since i have knee pain/swelling for the past 2 weeks. i have sickle cell sc dz. not sure what is going on with me. do you think this is a sickle attack?

A member asked:

Why might having a sickle cell anemia crisis result in a reduced red blood cell count, an elevated white blood cell count, and a reduced hematocrit?

A member asked:

How are low white blood cell count and sickle cell connected?

A member asked:

My daughter's wbc count was 22, 200 cells/ul. is that serious?

A member asked:

My white cell count and neutrophils is high wbc count is 15.5 neutrophils is 12.4?

A member asked:

Is there any significance in abs 0 eosi & baso cells? i've had wbc count of around 16.5 for months (no infection) neutro abs 11.43 imm grans .05

A member asked:

What can i do if my wbc count is 3.7l what does that mean{ white blood cells}?

A member asked:

I have ra and am taking biologic medications. my most recent blood test showed wbc count of 4.9 cell/mm3. is this dangerously low?

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