Brief Answer:
I will suggest that you get them controlled.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

If this is the first time that you are having this abnormal finding, then I will suggest that you get the test repeated for quality control. Also, what was the white cell count? If you are a black, then know that blacks have a relatively low levels of neutrophils and this could be the reason.

Vitamins deficiency can be a cause of this but a cruise ship is well equipped with quality food that it cannot actually be a predisposing factor for vitamin deficiency. Also, not presenting with any other sign of vitamin deficiency or symptoms make this less likely. Low vitamins as a possible cause is more likely an indication of a poor nutritional status than low vitamin itself being responsible. Doing a blood smear would help tell whether there is vitamin deficiency because in vitamin deficiency the neutrophils tend to have highly segmented nuclei than usual.

Supplementing wouldn't harm the body but i wonder if this is going to make any difference.

Lotrel has not bee associated with any blood cell abnormalities and I don't think this is the cause.

Summary: control the test and monitor if no symptoms for now.

Hope this addresses your query fully. Feel free to ask questions for clarifications.
I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD

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Brief Answer:
Control results at a later date.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for these follow ups.

Because it is the very first time you are having this abnormal finding, I will suggest hat you control these results later. It could be a simple transient abnormality of no real pathological significance. If it should persist or symptoms develop, then I will suggest that we become more aggressive addressing it.

For now, stay calm and relaxed unless there are some symptoms or concerning information that you have not released. The number one cause of low White cell count in sexually active individuals is HIV/AIDS. If you have any risk factors for this condition, then maybe you need to be tested.

There is no problem taking the above nutritious meal with lotrel.

Hope this helps and wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD

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Brief Answer:
Please, control these results first

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up precision.

This is the first time you have noticed this problem and more so without any concerning symptoms. I am suggesting that you get these results controlled before we take concrete action if they repeatedly come up as low.

Vitamin supplements are meant for persons with poor diet. Otherwise, we get enough from our meals and supplements are rarely mandatory. Low vitB in your supplements cannot is not a likely cause and more so because you are not presenting any other signs of B12 deficiency like anemia, neurological abnormalities, dementia et.

Stress and low vitamins may contribute to low white cell counts. However, I very much doubt that this is the case with you. Stay calm and get these results controlled.

From the HIV exposure and testing information, It would be very unlikely for this to be a possible cause at this time given the trend of events.

Please, do not stress when you get a disease diagnosed. This is because we can only solve known problems and identifying one should give you room to be thankful and happy so that you can take active measures before things get out of hands. Stressing over this only makes it a bigger problem and not a solution. It is wise to accept the condition and move on.

I hope this helps and sorry for the tardy response. I have been down all day today with a cold.
I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD

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Brief Answer:
Thanks.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

If at all, this should be a very rare side effect. The number of people on this drug would have meant we shall have lots of people with B12 deficiency and this is not the case. I have never noticed this before. Also, we have huge stores of b12 that can last years. A few months is just no duration to be able to cause B12 deficiency even if the absorption was reduced to zero.

3months is a reasonable interval to wait before controlling this test.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Ditah, MD

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Brief Answer:
Thanks, too!

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for having offered me this opportunity to address your health query. I feel honored by this.

I wish you well in all your endeavors and above all good health.

Please, may I suggest that you consider closing the discussion at this time if there are no more related questions to this? Also, lend us a few minutes of your time and write a review so that we can better serve you next time.

Thanks once more.
Dr. Ditah, MD

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