Can vitamin deficiency lead to decreased WBC count?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 56 years old. My body mass index is 21. I used to smoke for around 19 years and I stopped it four years ago. I had my blood test done last week. My white blood cell count is 3.4 cells/μL (cells per microliter) and I have attached the reports with this. What test should I do in order to figure out the cause of the low WBC count? My last year WBC count was 3.78 cells/μL but now 3.4 cells/μL (cells per microloter).

I read on the internet that a deficiency in zinc or vitamin B12 or folic acid can lead to decrease in WBC, is that true?
If so, should I make additional tests of those to know the cause?

My family doctor advised me to do nothing and just eat healthy food and re-do the blood test after six months. But, I am totally not convinced with this.

I am not a diabetic or hypertensive. I am taking Femoston since five years. Does this have any effect with my low WBC count?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern and will definitely help you with it.

I have thoroughly gone through your case and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I can well understand your genuine health concerns. The levels are not so bad to me. It is a normal variation and I cannot demarcate or label any kind of serious disease to this level.

Sometimes it happens and low immunity also has a role in low WBC (white blood cell) count. Femoston (hormone replacement therapy drug) causes clots in blood by affecting the platelets and also may decrease RBC (red blood cell) levels. But Femoston has nothing to do with WBCs.

You need to take a proper diet. I will suggest a list of foods that are good for you to get the levels back to the desired range. You will have to repeat the test afterwards to see the improvement and we will work it out accordingly. Yes, vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency can cause the issue with formation of the blood cells and hypoactive bone marrow assembly of blood cells.

Your cholesterol is a bit high and LDL (low density lipids) is also out of range and that are justifiable with the HRT (hormone replacement therapy) drug you are on. You need to start physical activity and if you need guidance on that you can contact me. Spend some time in sunlight after applying sunscreen lotion and wearing the sunglasses. Take tablet Surbex-Z (multivitamin) once daily.

In your diet, include citrus, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, almonds, yogurt, cashew, turmeric, green tea, berries, kiwi, apple, red grapes, kale, onion, sweet potato, carrot, old fashioned chicken soup, and shiitake mushroom. These are immunity booster foods that are good for you to gain normal counts.

These foods have got miraculous effect on patients of this category and I have a wide variety of experience on observing improvements in my patients. Most of my patients name them as magic foods. You also need to test for your vitamin

I hope this is clear, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Do follow up whenever needed.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

B12 levels.