OK, so they don't count each type of WBC individually, but rather allot a percentage of the total to each, huh?  I know this one is for Neutrophils only, but I think all of the WBCs are counted that way, no?  Thank you Brad!

OK, my WBC that lab was 2.1.  So 0.29 * 2.1 =  0.6.  Is that right?

What I should have done is 2.1 * 29.6 / 100 =  0.6.  Yes?  Thank you!!!  

Multiply your 0.29 times your total WBC count that should be reported, a number like 2.4 thousand cells/microliter or 2400 cells/microliter. Those are just my numbers from my last labs.

I do have all of the individual WBCs (neutros, lymphos, monos, eosos, basos) and they're all reported as "....% auto."  So I take my Neutrophil % and divide by 100?

Let me try.  Here's one:  29.6.   So that means I have 0.29 Neutrophils, Phil?  (And that sounded funny, lol)   Is that right? 

Judy, They are just not reporting it, but you can calculate it:

Absolutes = WBC Count * Percentage Reported / 100

They are reporting both on mine, and the math works out. The WBC count includes neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Phil - they sure do vary!  Why won't my dr ever order absolute neutrophil count?  I only saw that Once....it was on my ER Labs at hospital.  My Labs show only Neutrophils % automated count.  I'd love a little more to work with.  

I think this treatment is teaching us a lot, how to read your blood test and calculate the numbers pretty well.:) 

The reported units vary. Even in the states, Quest and LabQuest don't always report the same (e.g. per microliter vs per thousand microliters). You are generally safe in converting by a factor of 10, 100, or 1000.

There should be two sets of white blood counts reported (e.g. neutrophils and absolute neutrophils).  The absolutes will be in units like cells/microliter, and the other in %. I look at the absolutes.

An example (from Medicine.net):

Sample calculation of the ANC:
WBC count: 6,000 cells/mm3 of blood (6.0)
Segs: 30% of the WBCs
Bands: 3% of the WBCs
Neutrophils (segs + bands): 33% of the WBCs
ANC: 33% X 6,000 = 2,000/mm3
ANC of 2,000/mm3, by convention = 2.0
Normal range: 1.5 to 8.0 (1,500 to 8,000/mm3)
Interpretation: Normal

It really can be hard to figure with the different measures.  When I said 1.5, I was actually talking about WBCs, as a whole. 

For Neutrophils only, my lab measures normal as: 42 - 75%.  My last Neutrophil count was 29.6%

We are starting the heat of summer here in Houston 100 degrees fahrenheit - lots of humidity but I remember those days under lots of blankets in October when i started.   Keep us posted on how you are doing with the neupogen Kiwi.

rk6 wrote:

---

my dr looks for absolute neutrophils less than 600

 

---

x

so, mine say .7,, so am i to assume that means 700..... we seem to have different measures here in nz. its hard to figure sometimes...

anyway, the lab report has all this neutropenia +++ and stuff on it... and haemoglobin dropped. no wonder i feel soooo cold. oh thats right, its the middle of winter too, with a front comin up from the south, right off antarctica. brrrrrr

my dr looks for absolute neutrophils less than 600

LOL Kiwi!  Hang in there!  Better to be just on the edge; I'm not liking the Neupogen sx at all, ugh.  I notice some drs begin Neupogen at 2, some at 1.  Mine waitied for 1.5.

Brad - thank you!!  I am constantly searching for more precise clarification and it's not always easy to find it on the internet with lab values in a concise way.  That is a perfect explanation; I'm going to save that for my files.  Thank you!    

yeh mine are low too. wbc are 1.8 and normal is 4-11 for a normal human. (not as low as yours renee, but i dont know if we have the same scales, not sure)

neutrophils are .7, low but not low enough. heamoglobin dropped again.

in fact im riding this whole thing right on the edge enough not to need intervention, but just enough to screw me over.

bahahaha. bloody typical kiwi. never takes the 'ordinary' path...

Judy S wrote:

---

 

WBC at 0.6 is really low, wow.  That's like having only 600 white blood cells left...

_____________________________________________________

That's cells per mililiter.

That equals 0.6 x 10 to the ninth power per a liter.(600,000,000 cells per liter)

Human averages 4.7 liters of blood =2,820,000,000 cells total.

So you are now down to just under 3 billion cells.

And amazingly, that really IS low!

(just havin' fun with numbers....guess I need to get a life ;)

Brad

 

 

LadyAlaise wrote:

---

Margo; not trying to frighten (or anyone for that matter) about the Nuepogen sides; just stating how it's been for me.
I would think (aside from the average sfx) that it might be different for each person; ie: similar to how everyone seems to react differently to Interferon.

---

 I know Renee, everyone is different, it's just so much people have to go through to get cured and have a normal life. 

Renee - I'm laughing about the growth thing.  Yeah, like we're going through growth spurts but not getting taller, lol.  At 5'8 it's already challenging to find guys tall enough to date, particularly if I wear heels.  But heck, these days high heels and dating is the LAST thing on my mind, LOL!

WBC at 0.6 is really low, wow.  That's like having only 600 white blood cells left.  Darned ins companies!!  They couldn't care less about us, of course.  Not a great feeling to know that your dr has an even fuller caseload, now.  They're all so busy as it is.  I make lists of questions to ask my dr at each appt, as I sometimes feel rushed and forgetful.

Margo - I'm divorced for 2.5 years and live alone with my 10-year-old daughter, Brianna.  She is a WONDERFUL help with everything and I've found A LOT of support on this forum.  Who else can best relate but all of us on here, huh?  I'm so thankful for all of you.   

Oh!!  Last visit, my dr told me to take at least 1 mg (1,000 mcg) of Folate (Folic Acid) daily.  There's only 400 mcg in my B-100 vitamin pills, so I supplement.  He said this will increase my WBCs.

Judy S wrote:

---

My dr started me on Neupogen at Week 8.  My WBCs fell to 1.5.  Interesting to see the protocol the different drs have with Neupogen.  I did the injections twice weekly for first 2 weeks, then once a week.  My WBCs remain in the 2s.  My dr said he wants to see them at 2.1 - 2.9, even though 4 - 11 is normal.  He says if the WBCs are artificially raised over the 2 range, I will be more sick.

For me, there are times that the sx from Neupogen are worse than the sx from PegIntron.  Our bones expand on the Neupogen as the Neutrophils are being grown, so I get major migraines and bone pain everywhere.  Nausea, too.  Sometimes it interferes with my sleep, as well.

---

My dr started me on Neupogen at Week 8.  My WBCs fell to 1.5.  Interesting to see the protocol the different drs have with Neupogen.  I did the injections twice weekly for first 2 weeks, then once a week.  My WBCs remain in the 2s.  My dr said he wants to see them at 2.1 - 2.9, even though 4 - 11 is normal.  He says if the WBCs are artificially raised over the 2 range, I will be more sick.

For me, there are times that the sx from Neupogen are worse than the sx from PegIntron.  Our bones expand on the Neupogen as the Neutrophils are being grown, so I get major migraines and bone pain everywhere.  Nausea, too.  Sometimes it interferes with my sleep, as well.

LOL JoAnne :) I get that lol at this point I just usually try to remember the pics lol :)
Name's Renee

THey are looking for absolute neutrophils in the 600 or so range and then I get the word to do the neupogen.   Hate to make anyone worried but the neupogen sides (as described by LadyAlaise) are some of the worst for me - doing my shot in an hour or so and will be in bed tomorrow

rk6 wrote:

---

I think my NP looks at absolute neutrophils which she says they are looking to be above 600.  I am on week 34 of 48 Victrelis and doing both procrit and neupogen but not every week.  I get CBC bloodwork every week and then they tell me which rescue drugs to do.   This week I did neupogen last night.   For me I don't like the sides on neupogen - fever, some nausea, muscle aches etc and sometimes insomnia but I slept well last night and another 4 hours this am.    I have been a lot more tired lately even though I'm not as anemic.  guess the drugs are catching up

---

 Hi, Ive heard about Neupogen side effects...hang on, its almost over. There are natural WBC boosters you know? I posted the article under knowledge info. Feel better, thanks for your response.

I think my NP looks at absolute neutrophils which she says they are looking to be above 600.  I am on week 34 of 48 Victrelis and doing both procrit and neupogen but not every week.  I get CBC bloodwork every week and then they tell me which rescue drugs to do.   This week I did neupogen last night.   For me I don't like the sides on neupogen - fever, some nausea, muscle aches etc and sometimes insomnia but I slept well last night and another 4 hours this am.    I have been a lot more tired lately even though I'm not as anemic.  guess the drugs are catching up

Phil G wrote:

---

I was at both 2.3 and 1.1 at the end of week 9. I am doing Victrelis, so that's only a couple weeks on the 3rd drug. So yours looks pretty normal to me. The next week, mine were 2.9 and 1.8. My white blood stuff has never established a clear trend, kinda up and down, unlike the red, which all went down steadily until my riba was reduced. The info I have is that peg may be reduced or other drugs added at WBC 1.5 and neutrophils 0.75.

-- Edited by Phil G on Saturday 2nd of June 2012 07:32:50 PM

---

elizabeth wrote:

---

Anxiously awaiting someone's response to this as I've been wondering what neutrophils are. I see nothing on any of my husband's lab reports that refer to neutrophils. His WBC is down to 1.8 as of Thursday's labs.

And thanks to everyone on this forum. I honestly don't know what I would do without all of you!

---

I was at both 2.3 and 1.1 at the end of week 9. I am doing Victrelis, so that's only a couple weeks on the 3rd drug. So yours looks pretty normal to me. The next week, mine were 2.9 and 1.8. My white blood stuff has never established a clear trend, kinda up and down, unlike the red, which all went down steadily until my riba was reduced. The info I have is that peg may be reduced or other drugs added at WBC 1.5 and neutrophils 0.75.