Where Oh Where Have My Neutrophils Gone?

In advance of tomorrow's planned fourth Darzalex infusion, the doctors did a CBC with differential today to see how my neutrophils were standing up to the Darzalex / Pomalyst combination.  Surprise!  Neutrophils were just 400/uL, where the reference range for this lab is 1800 to 7700 /uL. In other words, my neutrophils measured less than one fourth of the value representing the very bottom of the reference range - the lowest count that I remember in almost 13 years with myeloma.  Doctors and nurses were all asking if I felt OK, because a low neutrophil count (neutropenia) can result in neutropenic fever, potentially a life-threatening condition.  In the past my doctors have stopped treatment when neutrophils dropped below 1000. So what do we do about that?  I have a Darzalex infusion scheduled for tomorrow. First, I don't believe the number.  I don't doubt the accuracy of the test (much), but I have a history of low neutrophil counts that probably weren't low.  The neutrophils are actually there, but they don't show up (at least not as neutrophils) in a CBC with diff.  In the past, I have used two "tricks" to make the neutrophils appear:  Take the blood in the afternoon.  I have repeatedly found that my neutrophil count is at least double in the afternoon.  In lieu of afternoon, take the blood as late in the morning as possible.  Today's draw was at 7:30 am. Do some physical exercise just before the blood draw....
Source: Myeloma Hope - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: neutropenia neutrophils Source Type: blogs