My white blood count is a little low, and I'm so scared right now. Am I making too much of it?

Trust your doctor.

Probably shouldn’t have asked this question. My anxiety is getting the best of me…

He may not have discovered if you have cancer but if he thought there was cause for alarm, he would have suggested further testing. If you trust his ability, trust that he would have toold you if there was a need for further investigation. However, if you are concerned and anxious, why not call him and ask what else could be causing it?

He already has suggested further testing. It’s a new doctor I’m seeing though, and he may not be aware that I’ve had low white blood cell count in the past. Most of my doctors have said it’s not a cause for alarm.

@rockfan There’s no harm in trying to talk to him about your concerns and telling him that your white cell blood count has always been low.

Do I remember correctly that you are (or were) taking meds for the anxiety? A very powerful ancillary tool to use along w. the meds. is 20–30 minutes of meditation, guided or not. Just working on your breathing in a controlled manner is a useful modality to lower anxiety.

One of many scripts for meditative breathing

@gailcalled Thanks for the info! I just looked up causes of low white blood cell count, and I didn’t realize that chronic anxiety can cause it. That’s most likely what’s going on.

Take care of yourself @rockfan and keep us posted. I think you might also find hatha yoga helpful.

You want a medical opinion from a truck driver??

You don’t tell us how low, but since you say slightly I think its probably nothing to worry about. Especially, since you tell us it is always a little low. Sounds like it is your normal. If it was cancer or going to kill you somehow I think you would probably be dead by now. You certainly can get a second opinion if you’re worried. Just have your lab tests sent to another doctor.

Have you had your vitamin D and thyroid tested? I really think you should have those done the next time you get a blood test if you haven’t. Most likely they did test your thyroid with at minimum doing a TSH. Do you have a copy of your lab work? Are you tan? Or, do you protect your skin from the sun? Muscle weakness is very common related to D deficiciency. I’m not suggesting some “natural” remedy and trying to get you to pop a bunch of vitamins and herbs. I’m telling you to get a blood test to find out. Vitamin B12 would be another good test for you, especially since you have been playing with your diet. I would also say iron, but there is no way your doctor didn’t check your red blood cells, so that I would be willing to assume is normal.

So, to sum up, if you have your lab work you want to check they tested for:

Vitamin D
TSH
Vitamin B12

Oh..
Waiting is always the worst..
But we’re here with you.