QuestionI have been followed by a hematologist for the last 3 years. My PCP referred me as my WBC periodically lowered into the "low" range. It has fluctuated to as low as 3.1 and on two different 6 mo. interval tests was found in the normal range (4.0 and once 5.0). My recent lab test revealed a lower count again, of 3.5. It seems to be a cyclical up and down trend. My doctor said he can continue to follow me with the 6 mo. check-ups, or I could do the BMB and if all is well, he could potentially cut me loose. My question is, if all my other counts are normal, and my WBC isn't extremely low - is this test a good idea? While my doctor's office's lab considers 4-10,000 to be the normal range, I have seen other references online saying that 3.5 is still within the normal range. Is it possible that I just run on the low side of normal? Is there good reason to go ahead with the bone marrow biopsy?
AnswerHi Lisa, I'd be happy to try and answer your question. At the lab I work at, low is considered less than 3.0. (Note that normal ranges vary from lab to lab since instrumentation can be different.) As long as you're not having any symptoms, this WBC count may just be normal for you. The bone marrow biopsy is a fairly invasive procedure, so I'm not sure about doing one, if you're not having any symptoms and all of your other CBC values are normal. Normally (but not always!) they can tell if there's any kind of leukemia or blood disease going on from the CBC, and the bone marrow confirms it. Also, if you have leukemia or a blood disease, after three years and without treatment, you'd probably be pretty sick by now, and you're not, so maybe, like I said, this WBC count is normal for you. Hope this helps.
Samantha
