Guest guest Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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