I just had a blood test the other day and it came back low for all my WBC counts..the main one being a 2.5 or so ( less then 3.8 is considered low ). Yet I look at blood work I had on August 1st and my count was at 5.5 , how could my count change so much in 2 months time? My doctor gave me an HIV test and now I wait for that result which is scary as all hell but doesn't that seem like a huge drop for a 2 month period? What else could it be if it isn't HIV?

Low white blood cell count(leukopenia;) ) does not exclusively mean that you have HIV, it could be as a result of an inflammatory condition, certain medications, or etc.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately i made a few mistakes over the past 2 years and I am just hoping they are not coming back to haunt me. I was just shocked that the count could change so far so fast. 2 months ago the count was fine , now its real low. And no new medicines and i have been on lipitor which I think helps with inflammation in veins or at least thats what I heard. I am just scared , want to HOPEFULLY pass the hiv test first then go from there..

They now have oral swabbing tests for HIV that give you results the same day(forget the name) so you don't have to wait.:angel: You could search for a place that offers this in your area, I'm sure there is one.

Ya true but I already took the blood test yesterday so I probably will have the news today or tomorrow at the latest. I still feel the quick drop in WBC is a huge drop in just 2 months..and I don't feel sick at all.

Oh I had to wait two weeks for mine that's why I said that;) (when I was pregnant). I wish you all the best.

Can anyone hazard a guess as to what would make my WBC go from 5.5 to 2.5 in 2 short months? Does it have to be cancer or Hiv? Can it be something else? Can it maybe just go back to normal?

you wbc can fluctuate from day to day. Keep your own records and see if there is a trend. When your dr looks at your wbc it will break down even further. For example: lymphocytes, etc...Each one will determine what part of the white cell is low and it all means something different. Your count isn't too low. What may be low is the differential or the break down of the wbc. Ask more questions from your dr. If your dr is not a hematologist you may need to seek further evaluation. Please do not stress that you have something horribly wrong with you. Your body may just be going thru something or nothing at all. I have a history of low wbc too...about the same as yours, but there is nothing wrong with me.

Thanks a lot for the reply thirtysomething..I am glad to hear your doing fine even though your wbc is low at times.

Lutheran
I thought I should say too that typically it is a high white count that leads you to an illness. Think of it this way...your wbc works as our internal soldiers. When there is something to fight they grow in numbers to kill the invader or virus. Sometimes you will even see it elevate if you have allergies.

I know in your case it is a low count. Have you learned anything further about your counts?

ask your dr is the lymphocyte low? neutrophil low? and if yes, ask why your dr thinks that could be. Do not let your dr off the hook easily. They get paid well to spend a few minutes with you and answer all of your questions.

hope this is helpful to you!

Hello , yes thanks for the advice. I did ask and there are quite a few auto immune issues that can cause low WBC and also Multiple Myeloma as well. Both of my major lymphocyte counts are also low. I have a lot of the symptoms of MM , discomfort in my back and legs and hips and the low wbc but I won't know anything definite until after I see the hematologist on the 31st..Thanks again for the reply I really appreciate it.