16mo post chemo and still low WBC

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sanbar8771
sanbar8771 Member Posts: 281
edited April 2015 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I just got back from doing my normal CBC's and my WBS and GRAN were low. Not horribly low but low enough for me to be concerned. Is it still normal to have low WBC count this long after chemo?

WBC 3.3

Gran 1.2

Any advise is greatly appreciated. Luv u all

 Julie C

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited March 2012

    Julie, my ANC went above 1.5 for the first time about 13 or 14 months after finishing chemo.  I'm about 17 months out now and it's 1.7.  I had very low nadirs through chemo, but always came up enough to receive the next cycle on time.  My WBC is 2-something, got up to 3.2 last check but has dropped a little again.  I had a bone marrow biopsy when I was a few months out from chemo and radiation, which didn't show anything alarming.  At this point, I'm actually more lymphopenic than neutropenic.  I haven't had any infections since shortly after chemo.  

    Both oncologists (my regular one and the one I've seen in an academic center)  say it's not the usual but they've seen it before, and there's nothing I can do.  They don't know if it's a flag for problems down the road or not, but even if it is there's nothing I can do.

    Overall, that's not very comforting.  What I do find comforting is that I have not been susceptible to serious infections despite my counts.  So my puny counts are doing their job.   

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  • sbaaronson
    sbaaronson Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2012

    I am 16 months out as well and my red count has never come back. I think my MO Nurse Practioner told me it may never be normal again...

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2012

    Mine have been low for four years.  My RBC just came up to 12 over the summer but dropped again. So for some of us, that's life. NJ

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  • shells43
    shells43 Member Posts: 1,022
    edited March 2012

    Hey Sanbar, you are not alone. My WBC's were 3.4 about 2 weeks go at my last check (18 months PFC). They were 2.7 at the check before that (6 mos ago). Like Outfield, I have not been sick at all so no one except me seems concerned. I am trying to eat healthy and exercise. I don't know why it is taking so long to recover.

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited March 2012

    I'm about 2 and 1/2 yrs out and WBC's are still on the low side.  My onc said the same thing--they may never get back up to a higher level again.  He said chemo messes with your bone marrow.  But, he also said even if they are at the low end of normal (which mine have been ever since I hit the 2 yr mark) that that is "normal."  I still don't like them that low, though. 

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited March 2012

    Low here too after almost 5 years. I have felt and been fine though. As there is not one thing a person can do about it, I decided not to dwell on it. My GP did say that if WBC are going to rebound, it could take up to 7 years. So, who knows?

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  • sanbar8771
    sanbar8771 Member Posts: 281
    edited March 2012

    Thank you everyone for your comments. That makes me feel better. Like all of you I feel fine and have not been sick since chemo. I won't worry about it anymore. Thanks for your replies. :)

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  • chavsh1
    chavsh1 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2015

    My WBCs have been @ 3.0 for 2 years out. Scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy in 4 weeks. My oncologist told me it is best to "make sure" we stay on top and not overlook anything. All other counts in my CBC are in normal range. Just the overall WBC hangs low. All the comments posted relieved my immediate anxiety. Pray all are doing well!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2015

    Mine were lower for about two years after chemo. Up and down for each checkup. Now they seem to be back to normal....at least the last CBC said.

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