What causes a sudden drop in WBC after C-section?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a blood test done, and it showed a WBC count of 3.6. My neutrophil count was also slightly low at 1,408. All my other blood work was normal. About three months earlier, following a C-section, my CBC was much higher, around 7.4. I usually test in the seven range, so I was surprised to see it lower this time. I am wondering if this is concerning. My current PCP does not feel that retesting is necessary since the rest of my CBC was normal.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Well, I have seen the laboratory report they have attached, the neutrophils were 39.1, and this level is considered mildly low. Certain diseases and medications cause neutropenia,

What are the causes of neutropenia?

Neutropenia can be caused by cancers affecting the bone marrow (leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma).
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and bone marrow or stem cell transplant, so the patient will give you a chronic history of the above-mentioned disease or intake of chemotherapy.
Many types of infections, such as COVID-19 (coronavirus), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HIV(human immunodeficiency virus), and hepatitis, patients will present with the active complaint of these diseases.
Immune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) same way you will present with the complaint of upper and lower limb joint pain and swelling, and nodules.
Sometimes nutrition problems include low vitamin B12, copper, or folate.

If you are not familiar with the above-mentioned diseases, then you do not have to worry about anything. Sometimes there is a lab report error, which is highly possible in this case.

Do not worry, I assure you there is no big issue, just relax and repeat the complete blood count after one week.

I will advise you to take the following medication.

Tablet Folic acid 5mg (milligrams) twice daily for three months.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am deeply concerned about your worries.

I appreciated the way you followed up with me; it is an honor for me to have a patient like you.

Then I told you everything is fine, you have nothing to worry about.

Take a tablet of Folic acid 5 mg once daily for one month.
Tablet Mecobalamin 500 mcg (micrograms) once daily for one month.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.