Re: CBC while on Tetracycline?

[Guest guest]

> But MY question is this-how do we know if it would have been

> even MORE out of the normal range if I wasn't on the antibiotic for

> the rosacea? Is there an infection or a suppressed immune system

> that should be checked out further?

I can't answer it without knowing what abnormal part of the CBC the

nurse was referring to. A large number of medications can result in

an increased number of eosinophils, which are one type of white blood

cell. Typically, the person then gets worked up for increased

eosinophils -- if the patient is well known to the doctor, even a

work up may not be necessary. If everything is normal then it's just

assumed to be a side effect of the medication.

> How do you manage your rosacea patients who take antibiotics who

> also have other health problems and take other meds? What should be

> carefully monitored?

In the ER, I don't.

Seriously, nothing comes to mind, off the top of my head, especially

when the dose of tetracycline is as low as yours. But methotrexate

definitely requires periodic monitoring the bone marrow, liver and

kidney function, and possibly more -- and those blood tests would be

more than enough for tetracycline, I'm sure.

The above may be misleading, even though I'm answering your question,

because I don't have any information about your condition. It may be

that the nurse didn't give you a satisfying answer to your specific

condition because she didn't know the answer -- your questions are

medical questions, not nursing questions. They are certainly

legitimate questions to ask your doctor, next time you see him.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

[Guest guest]

> I had a full blood workup done last month. The two categories I

remember

> coming back abnormally were my absolute lymphocyte count (which was

a little

> above where it was supposed to be I think), and I had an abnormally

low WBC.

> Actually, my White Blood Cell count was REALLY low.. it wasnt even

close to

> the range it was supposed to be in.

Adam, what you're describing can be found in healthy people. I can't

know that for certain if that's true for you in particular without

the actual numbers, prior CBCs, and a full understanding of your

medical condition. The doctor who ordered the tests presumably has

all that information, and should be able to answer your reasonable

questions about it.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

[Guest guest]

> I had a full blood workup done last month. The two categories I

remember

> coming back abnormally were my absolute lymphocyte count (which was

a little

> above where it was supposed to be I think), and I had an abnormally

low WBC.

> Actually, my White Blood Cell count was REALLY low.. it wasnt even

close to

> the range it was supposed to be in.

Adam, what you're describing can be found in healthy people. I can't

know that for certain if that's true for you in particular without

the actual numbers, prior CBCs, and a full understanding of your

medical condition. The doctor who ordered the tests presumably has

all that information, and should be able to answer your reasonable

questions about it.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

[Guest guest]

> I had a full blood workup done last month. The two categories I

remember

> coming back abnormally were my absolute lymphocyte count (which was

a little

> above where it was supposed to be I think), and I had an abnormally

low WBC.

> Actually, my White Blood Cell count was REALLY low.. it wasnt even

close to

> the range it was supposed to be in.

Adam, what you're describing can be found in healthy people. I can't

know that for certain if that's true for you in particular without

the actual numbers, prior CBCs, and a full understanding of your

medical condition. The doctor who ordered the tests presumably has

all that information, and should be able to answer your reasonable

questions about it.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD