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What Is The Normal Number Of WBCs In The Blood?
Question: Dear Dr. Rynne, is there a baseline average for normal wbc flunctuation?
37yo Female 5'4 134lbs
I am in normal range but have dropped from 7.4 to 4.4. Wondering is the drop would related to the below or another condition:
Recent call with dr- pituitary tumor based on elevated prolactin-monitoring next 2 months. Being a 2 time cancer survivor I am concerned with labs also showing high glucose, low carbon dioxode, low Vitamin D, everything else in normal range. Waiting on 24 hour urine test (to rule out pheochromocytoma).
Above tests ran initially due to:
20+ weight loss since July 1 loss of appetite, (not dieting)
Symptom onset Jan/Feb:
loss of sex drive, weakness, extreme fatigue, inability to focus, memory, headache, shortness of breath, tremors, nausea.
high resting pulse 90+, BP normal to hypertensive, heart palpitations daily, heat rushes (adrenaline like).
Appreciate any insight...thank you sir.
37yo Female 5'4 134lbs
I am in normal range but have dropped from 7.4 to 4.4. Wondering is the drop would related to the below or another condition:
Recent call with dr- pituitary tumor based on elevated prolactin-monitoring next 2 months. Being a 2 time cancer survivor I am concerned with labs also showing high glucose, low carbon dioxode, low Vitamin D, everything else in normal range. Waiting on 24 hour urine test (to rule out pheochromocytoma).
Above tests ran initially due to:
20+ weight loss since July 1 loss of appetite, (not dieting)
Symptom onset Jan/Feb:
loss of sex drive, weakness, extreme fatigue, inability to focus, memory, headache, shortness of breath, tremors, nausea.
high resting pulse 90+, BP normal to hypertensive, heart palpitations daily, heat rushes (adrenaline like).
Appreciate any insight...thank you sir.
Brief Answer:
Symptoms does correlate with pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Health Care Magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if you have already been through a lot and so far diagnosis work up seems to be on the right tract.
As far as WBCs are concerned, yes there is a normal limit and that is between 4000 to 11000 and the decreasing trend that you had mentioned can be due to certain chemotherapy drugs or antibiotics as well as certain bone marrow suppressing illnesses including enteric and many others as well as bacteraemia/viraemia or extensive infection itself may also cause, but such fluctuation is still considered normal in your case and no intervention is needed as of now other than strict observation .
Same goes to the low carbon dioxide, it doesn't need to be worried about as over breathing due to anxiety or other factors washes it out or due to certain compensatory mechanisms it may be lower than normal.
Low vitamin D levels are usually diet/nutrition related as you are on many diet restrictions so can be due to that. Replacing that as you've already started is the right approach. Prolactin levels can also be monitored or if rising then certain centrally acting drugs which decrease it's production including some dopamine receptor altering drugs are used but so far monitoring it would be right approach.
All the rest of the symptoms are explained by pheochromocytoma but other illnesses like thyroid or over functioning pituitary which produces thyroid and adrenal stimulating hormones may also cause such symptoms and does need detailed evaluation by an endocrinologist.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Regards.
Symptoms does correlate with pheochromocytoma or hyperthyroidism
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Health Care Magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if you have already been through a lot and so far diagnosis work up seems to be on the right tract.
As far as WBCs are concerned, yes there is a normal limit and that is between 4000 to 11000 and the decreasing trend that you had mentioned can be due to certain chemotherapy drugs or antibiotics as well as certain bone marrow suppressing illnesses including enteric and many others as well as bacteraemia/viraemia or extensive infection itself may also cause, but such fluctuation is still considered normal in your case and no intervention is needed as of now other than strict observation .
Same goes to the low carbon dioxide, it doesn't need to be worried about as over breathing due to anxiety or other factors washes it out or due to certain compensatory mechanisms it may be lower than normal.
Low vitamin D levels are usually diet/nutrition related as you are on many diet restrictions so can be due to that. Replacing that as you've already started is the right approach. Prolactin levels can also be monitored or if rising then certain centrally acting drugs which decrease it's production including some dopamine receptor altering drugs are used but so far monitoring it would be right approach.
All the rest of the symptoms are explained by pheochromocytoma but other illnesses like thyroid or over functioning pituitary which produces thyroid and adrenal stimulating hormones may also cause such symptoms and does need detailed evaluation by an endocrinologist.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Dear Dr. Ulabidin,
I have been ill having had multiple episodes since Saturday as described in my current medical condition email.
I just logged in to do followup question to your response but it was closed?
This was my first time using site, wasn't aware of time limit.
Can you look at the lab work I uploaded again as I haven't had chemo or radiation as you mentioned in your answer.
I attached from the 24 Hour urine test, they came back high and need your opinion.
Thank you so much.
I have been ill having had multiple episodes since Saturday as described in my current medical condition email.
I just logged in to do followup question to your response but it was closed?
This was my first time using site, wasn't aware of time limit.
Can you look at the lab work I uploaded again as I haven't had chemo or radiation as you mentioned in your answer.
I attached from the 24 Hour urine test, they came back high and need your opinion.
Thank you so much.
Brief Answer:
Needs further evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the detailed feedback. I went through all the reports and good thing is that most of the baseline labs are normal except for the values you would also have noticed in the 24 hour urine. These can be suggestive of pheochromocytoma but other causes like some antihypertensive drugs, coffee, exercise or stress may have same effects. Further testing with a CT scan head, neck, chest and abdomen and MIBG scan may also be needed so I detailed evaluation with an endocrinologist should also be done before proceeding. If anything suggestive is found, the treatment options may be discussed afterwards ranging from surgical options to certain alpha and beta blocking drugs. Wishing you a steady and a better health. Regards.
Needs further evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the detailed feedback. I went through all the reports and good thing is that most of the baseline labs are normal except for the values you would also have noticed in the 24 hour urine. These can be suggestive of pheochromocytoma but other causes like some antihypertensive drugs, coffee, exercise or stress may have same effects. Further testing with a CT scan head, neck, chest and abdomen and MIBG scan may also be needed so I detailed evaluation with an endocrinologist should also be done before proceeding. If anything suggestive is found, the treatment options may be discussed afterwards ranging from surgical options to certain alpha and beta blocking drugs. Wishing you a steady and a better health. Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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