Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
My wbc have dipped to below the range, as have rbc, h/h...which I assume means I'm now anemic. My wbc count is what's troubling. At the time of blood draw I was on enbrel, 50mg sub q once a week, arava 100mg once a week, and Plaquenil 400mg a day. Ditched the arava last week...but I'm assuming it's the enbrel.
No illness, no injuries, no nada.
Anyone experience this on enbrel, a biologic, etc? If so, do you have to discontinue meds because of it? The doc signed off and I'm assuming will contact me if there's a problem to work out before the next visit. See her again in July. Thx!
Oh... Numbers
wbc count 3.2 (3.4-10.8 range)
rbc 3.58 (3.77-5.28)
hematocrit 10.9(11.1-15.9)
hemoglobin 33.9(34-46.6)
No illness, no injuries, no nada.
Anyone experience this on enbrel, a biologic, etc? If so, do you have to discontinue meds because of it? The doc signed off and I'm assuming will contact me if there's a problem to work out before the next visit. See her again in July. Thx!
Oh... Numbers
wbc count 3.2 (3.4-10.8 range)
rbc 3.58 (3.77-5.28)
hematocrit 10.9(11.1-15.9)
hemoglobin 33.9(34-46.6)
Enbrel has always lowered my WBC. My rheumy always told me that it's not significant enough to worry but it still concerns me sometimes! I still take 50mg, once a week so I must be OK!
The only thing I see is the absolute neutrophils are at 1.5 with a range of 1.4-7.0 so it's close. But all the wbc specifics are in range.
Lp
You scared the do-do out of me at first glance. I was thinking that you had better get a blood transfusion.
But, I realized pretty quickly that you have your hemoglobin and hematocrit numbers are switched Whew!!
I have had six shots of Enbrel so far without any issue. Plus, I've been on MTX for months without any problems so far (knock on wood).
If my WBC count were low, I would certainly be extra careful being around sick people and crowds but I'm sure you were already thinking that.
If my Enbrel therapy causes any problems, I'll let you know.
Warm regards,
TheWino
Don't panic at present. As far as response #3, if all those numbers are in range that implies that the percentages of different kinds of cells are normal. Another sign that you're basically fine.
Alto, all my labs have been from labcorp, no switching. Not I'll and hagent been sick...not even allergies, for at least a year. Looking back my wbc have been low back and forth for a while, just this is the first it's out of range.
8/5/13 4.2, 4-10.5 is the range
9/30/13 4.3. 3.4-10.8
12/5/13 6.7. 3.4-10.8
3/20/14 5.1. 3.4-10.8
5/8/14 3.2 3.40/10.8
I suppose it is the enbrel since I started it early March and now it's dropped.
Not worried.
More curious as to whether or not I'll be taken off enbrel if it drops any more.