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Can Increase In WBC Cause Thickening Of Blood?

Posted on Fri, 29 Mar 2013

Question: Will an increase in the number of white blood cells (over 200,000) for a long period of time cause your blood to thicken? I know red blood cells can cause this, but can white blood cells?

Answered by Dr. Anshumala Singh (24 minutes later)

Dear friend,

Thanks for sharing your concern.

Yes, definitely such an increase in WBC will cause thickening of blood.

Normal total TLC 4000 to 0000 per micro liter.

Hope I have answered your query.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Anshumala Singh (15 hours later)

Would it be appropriate to take a chemo pill to reduce the number of WBC's if I am asymptomatic otherwise. No pain, swelling of lymph nodes, liver, spleen or pancreatic issues.

Answered by Dr. Anshumala Singh (6 hours later)

Dear friend.

Thanks for reply.

It appreciates your curiosity. However chemotherapy drugs are associated with serious side effects. Its use is recommended only when the benefits of the drug outweighs the risk of side effects.

In the absence of clinical symptoms and pathological features of malignancy it is highly inappropriate to use chemotherapy drugs to treat elevated white blood cell count.

I would suggest you to consult a qualified hematologist to understand/isolate the cause of this elevation. The cause can be treated with other specific measures.

Use of chemotherapy pills now is unwarranted.

Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have other concerns.

Regards

Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad