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Low white blood cell count and stomach/abdominal pain

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Tyler654398
Tyler654398

Hello everyone,

I am trying to figure out possible causes of my symptoms. I've seen different doctors for the past couple of months and have yet to figure out what is wrong. I started crossfit in May and have lost twenty pounds until my doctor advised me to stop exercising completely in late October due to much fatigue I have been experiencing, and continue to experience today, until we find out what is going on. I am a 22 year old male, weighing approximately 158 and am 6 feet tall.

In mid-July I was started to feel a lot of discomfort in my stomach and abdominal area along with nausea, bloating, and constipation. It got worse after eating. All the symptoms left in early August but then came back in early September. So, I went to my family care doctor and he ex-rayed my stomach to show that there was air in my colon. He then referred me to a gastroenterologist. The gastroenterologist checked for blood in my feces and there was none and he did a CBC and CMP blood test. The only thing that came back wrong was a low white blood cell count. So for the next month, my family care doctor ordered three more CBC tests, along with a SED Rate test, Peripheral Smear (immaturity not observed), CRP C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, Parvovirus, IRON AND TBC, HIV, HEPATITIS PANEL ACUTE, EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS, and COMP METABOLIC PANEL blood tests. Everything was normal and good except that my white blood cell count values were low from 2.8-3.8 during that time, a high monocyte percentage of 11.8, and it was noted I have bilirubinemia. Through much of October and early November my symptoms went away again except for the fatigue but now I am experiencing much of the same symptoms again.

As of last week I was referred to a hematologist and he took my blood in four or five tubes. I go back in mid-December to see what he says.

The hematologist also asked me to go to a gi doctor while I wait so I did today. My gastrointestinal doctor said it was mostly out of his hands because all my blood tests only show a low white blood cell count. So, he put me on two medicines to help me use the restroom (#2) more frequently.

Could anyone lead me to possible causes of the low white blood cell count with the stomach/abdominal pain and the fatigue? I am quite nervous about what it could be because at this point I have no clue. Any help is appreciated. Thanks! 

1 like, 51 replies

51 Replies

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  • Dilady
    Dilady Tyler654398

    Posted

    It helped jis wbc?
    • tina35770
      tina35770 Dilady

      Posted

      He lost 130 lbs over the past 2 1/2 years. He had bloating nausea, gas, reflux and a sour stomach. He was referred to a hematologist because his white blood cell count was 2.8. The dr said that taking Nexium lowers wbc. 

      A friend of his had similar symptoms and the Metoclopramide helped a lot. My son has been taking it for 2 months and he has an appetite again and much less gas.

  • Dilady
    Dilady Tyler654398

    Edited

    So sorry about your son.

    Glad he is feeling better.

    Has the Dr said anything about the WBC?

    I am worried seeing a Dr on Friday

    Hope to get answers

    I been off of dexitant since June .

    • tina35770
      tina35770 Dilady

      Edited

      The doctor said his low wbc was nothing to be concerned about. The Metoclopramide a half hour before meals and Metamucil at night has made him much better
  • Dilady
    Dilady Tyler654398

    Posted

    I don't what all I have was just told IBS.

    Going to an IBS specialist on Friday hoping for answers.

    Wish me luck!

  • ADAIR.S
    ADAIR.S Tyler654398

    Edited

    Im a 31yrd old male with very similar symptoms. Tests done so far endoscopy, colonoscopy, h pylori, lyme disease, various autoimmune tests, thyroid, ultrasound of abdomen, ekg and have a sibo test coming up in two weeks. Everything came out good. So far only concerns are low white blood cell count 3.3, 3.6,3.7 and 3.8 as of yesterday (threshold is at 3.8). Slowly going up. I also had some gastritis and esophagitis. Those im sure because i abused coffee and energy drinks in the past as i work night shift 6pm to 6am. And also ive dropped 25lbs in two months, combination of discomfort and healthy eating. What ive done so far, every morning i eat a spoon of manuka honey and take a mastic gum and dgl locorice for heartburn and between those three i no longer have heartburn. Theyve also brought back some of my appetite and taken care of some bloating. During the day i take a mens multivitamin and vitamin d. With every meal i take one or two digestive emzymes to help with digestion. Before this i was alot of problem with constipation or loose smelly undigested stools. By adding fiber and cutting gluten and processed carbs ive been much more regular. And every night i take a mik thistle for liver support and melatonin for sleep and gerd. This whole started when i started prilosec/nexium 3 months ago because of heartburn. Ppis are really good at lowering acid and thus creating a ton of problems such low wbc most likely because of malnutrition. In addition, because of lack acid certain bacteria/fungi get free reign of our intestines and create all sorts of problems from autoimmune disorders such diabetes and thyroid to straight up malnourishment and other diseases. My advice is drop the ppis which cause low wbc and fix your diet and take herbal supplements. And get proper rest and relieve your stress.
  • Dilady
    Dilady Tyler654398

    Posted

    Went to ibs specialist.

    He said, it's low yes, but you took a PPI and second you have Ibs and possibly SIBO!

    So let start with blood and stools tests and go from there.

  • danielle83975
    danielle83975 Tyler654398

    Posted

    Get tested for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth ) I came up positive for this and it’s treatable with antibiotics, very expensive antibiotics. But still. Unfortunately my case seems to be reoccurring, you can also follow the FOD map diet. Which helps. They had first diagnosed me with IBS, which got no better following the restricted diet for that. Had a colonoscopy and Endoscophy, CAT scan, ultrasound. All of them came back fine. The SIBO is only found using a gas breath test. The only thing that was flagged in my blood work was a low white blood cell count. Although I am not better, at least I know what’s wrong and can take steps to prevent and treat it. Hope this helps

  • chess06861
    chess06861 Tyler654398

    Edited

    hello tyler!! tell me how r u doing now???

    it is extremely sad to hear what u are going through in ur life..i am sorry i am not a doctor..so i cannot hive u authentic medical advice on ur problems..but i understand that it is pretty much a matter of concern..did ur hematologist perform tests to rule out blood disorders...ask him about what he thinks u are suffering from..if u think that he is not taking ur problems seriousl,then i suggest go to another hematologist and get further tests done..low WBC are caused by many reasons..it could be some pathogens affecting the bone marrow, any autoimmune disease, may be some form of gastric disease or conditions...or due to chronic leukemia which progresses very very slowly and often produces vague symptoms in early stages with abnormal WBC counts..i understand ur worries..i faced somewhat similar situation like u 2 months ago..my WBC count rose abnormally high..but again,today i got CBC done and found that WBC count is back to normal..my grandmother died of leukemia and i cannot stop thinking about it..so,whenever we get abnormal reports on blood counts,most of us generally jump to the conclusion that it is some form of blood cancer ..even i do that..BUT REMEMBER, it MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE CASE..in ur case,if the blood cells were abnormal,it would have been indicated on the blood smear report..cancer or some bone marrow disorders are NOT the only reason for having abnormal blood counts..i was so scared about my blood results that i almost freaked out..i must appreciate ur courage and patience!! stay strong....and best of luck!!

    • tyler62672
      tyler62672 chess06861

      Edited

      Thanks for the advice! I did all the tests 2 hematologists thought of and they never figured it out so i finally stopped going in FEBRUARY. Then in March i had this moment with the Holy Spirit (God) receiving healing. In late MARCH i went for a checkup and my blood count was normal for the first time in years. I haven't been back yet since but I do have a check up next week PRAISE GOD!!

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