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 before four years. I had my blood test done last week. My white blood cell count is 3.4 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 but now 3.4. I read on the internet that a deficiency in zinc or 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?
Hi. I have thoroughly gone through your case and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I can well understand your genuine health concerns. 1. 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.  2. 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.  3. 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.  4. Yes, vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency can cause the issue with formation of the blood cells and hypoactive bone marrow assembly of blood cells.  5. Your cholesterol is a bit high and LDL is also out of range and that are justifiable with the HRT (hormone replacement therapy) drug you are on.  6. You need to start physical activity and if you need guidance on that you can contact me. You need to go for vitamin B12 levels. 1. Spend some time in sunlight by applying sunscreen lotion and wearing the sunglasses.  2. Take tablet Surbex-Z (multivitamin) one daily.  3. Immunity booster foods which are good for you to gain normal counts are 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, shiitake mushroom.  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. Revert back after a month for follow up to an internal medicine physician online.--->