Dear Doctor: How can I raise my white blood cell count?

DEAR DR. ROACH:

My primary care physician and blood specialist say there is nothing that will increase white blood cell count. Are there supplements that I can take or foods to eat to improve the low count? — R.J.L.

ANSWER:

The question is, why is your white blood cell count low? Some people have low white blood cell counts for no reason; it runs in families, so there aren’t any health concerns there. However, there are a large variety of blood diseases that cause low white cell counts. Some affect the lymphocytes, while others affect the granulocytes (the two main types of white cells).

Nutritional deficiencies are extremely rare in North America (vitamin B12, folic acid and copper are the exceptions that should be looked for), so neither diet nor supplements are usually helpful. In absence of blood disease or symptoms, low white blood cell counts usually do not need treatment.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected] or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.

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