Neutropenia

[two toenails]

I have been diagnosed as having Cyclic Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count on and off).
Last June it was as low as 1.8 (norm 4-11ish)
Back up to 2.4 at the mo.
I run lots (but not too much) and most of the time feel great.
In contact with lots of people during the day (kids and adults) which
is not so good for catching infections.
Anyone any hints or tips re diet to keep me on a higher
number of WBCells?
It says on the internet to steer clear of caffine.
I love my coffee!

[scaniagirl]

I should first of all say that I am no expert, I have recently completed an Open University short course on human nutrition and am using the course materials to hopefully give you some useful advice.

Anti oxidants, such as vitamin A (in liver, dairy products, eggs, oily fish and fortifid margarine), Vitamin C (in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables and vitamin E (in plant oils, nuts, seeds, wheatgerm and some green leafy vegetables) are beneficial to your immune system as they help to neutralise the free radicals that cause damage to cells.
Fruit and vegetables also contain other compounds that are just beginning to be under stood that have beneficial effects on health. You can probably eat enough of all these nutrients by eating a balanced diet ie: one third starchy foods, one third fruit and vegetables , 10% protien sources, 12% dairy and 8% fatty and sugary foods. Too Much vitamin A can cause health problems too.
Currently the advice is not to use supplements as there may be groups of chemicals within foodstuffs that work better than the vitamin or mineral on it's own.
Additionally, folic acid is good for cell division (in meat, salmon, cod, milk, cheese, eggs, yeast extract and breakfast cereals), in fact many of the B vitamins are used in the extraction of energy and nutrients from food to be used around the body.
Hope that is of some use.

[two toenails]

Thanks for the reply.
I do my best to eat as much fresh fruit and veg as I can.
A friend who sells Hello Vera (my spelling) put me onto
some vit B12 with Folic Acid. It is twice the rec. daily dose of Folic but it looks like 50,000 times the rec. daily for B12.
Surely I must be reading the label incorrectly.
Found some other info today which says that kiwi fruit and blackcurrant seed oil. You just never know what to do.

Looking forward to my next WBC count on December 27th
Not sure what else will be in my blood at that time of the yer.

[scaniagirl]

Well,at least the B vitamins are water slouble, so easy to remove from the body.
And yes, there are lots of confusing things out there. If you can get to see the original research results it can sometimes become clear, and also show if the results have been selctively reported.
Maybe they can refer you to a nutrionist, or is there a website for the condition.
Good luck anyway, just being able to feel as if you can help youself will make you feel more positive.

[two toenails]

Always feel positive.
If negativity creeps in, I always think of somewhere I've been on hols, mentally go on a favourite run or think of something zany.
Works every time.
Thanks for your help.

[runningfool]

I have been diagnosed as having Cyclic Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count on and off).
Last June it was as low as 1.8 (norm 4-11ish)
Back up to 2.4 at the mo.
I run lots (but not too much) and most of the time feel great.
In contact with lots of people during the day (kids and adults) which
is not so good for catching infections.
Anyone any hints or tips re diet to keep me on a higher
number of WBCells?
It says on the internet to steer clear of caffine.
I love my coffee!

Are you ill? Was this picked up accidentally or were you suffering from some symptom or other that prompted the blood test?

Dunno what units you're using but assuming they're pretty standard ones, from http://www.neutropenia.ca/about/index.html "In general, the blood of healthy adults contains about 1500 to 7000 neutrophils per mm3 (1.5 - 7.0 x 109 /1)".

Seems to me that you're just at the lower end of normal. If you're feeling well, I'd be inclined to ignore it.

[two toenails]

I have another blood test due shortly.
My GP (one I haven't seen before) was ace! Better than
the consultant in hospital. My everyday wbc are fine with fighting the
little infections. I never get a cold (famous last words). But any weird virus lays me low while they try to work out what to do.
At the mo, I'm losing weight again and have a very small appetite.
I'd love to eat a 3 course meal but one course even causes a problem.
I finish up with stomach pains, feel very sleepy and very uncomfortable.
Thanks for a link.
It's the running which actually helps. Decided to stay off the long,long runs
as this may or may not lower my immune system.

[runningfool]

Decided to stay off the long,long runs
as this may or may not lower my immune system.

Is this why you call yourself two toenails? As in "only two toenails left"?

It's certainly true that high mileage can suppress your immune system but it seems to be pretty variable as to what constitutes "high mileage" for any particular runner.

[two toenails]

I did 72 miles in one day last year. 2 weeks later, only 2 toenails left.
Long run for me depends on how I feel.
15 miles is no problem. Over 20 tends to have a bit of an effect; then again I am only 55!
Fell runners tend to run over 20 and still keep on training.
Road runners do a marathon and rest (or do they?)

[runningfool]

I did 72 miles in one day last year. 2 weeks later, only 2 toenails left.

Silly boy! Get some bigger shoes! 95 miles x 2 here and never lost a toenail.