My husband has low neutrophils count, effects of interferon. Can he take vitamin!
Question: My husband has low neutrophils count, effects of interferon!. Can he take vitamin b supplements!?
Answers:
Which B vitamin!? There are many different ones!.
See http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Vitamin_B
If he has a demonstrated deficiency of Folic acid or B12, supplements of these B vitamins may be warranted!. It is simple enough to check B12 and folate levels to see if he is deficient!. These deficiencies - which cause megaloblastosis - can be surmised clinically from the red blood cell indices as your hematology/oncology doctor knows!.
There is no reason he could not take a B complex supplement since these are water soluble vitamins which will be excreted in the urine if he does not need them!.
The BEST thing to do is talk with the specific heme/onc doctor or other medical specialty doctor who is giving the interferon!. That person should know how best to manage your husband's neutropenia!.
How do you know for sure that the neutropenia is being caused by the interferon!? What disease is the interferon treating!? Maybe the underlying disease is the cause of the low neutrophil count, or maybe the neutropenia is a reaction to some other medication he is taking!.
MANY things may contribute to neutropenia, The doctor who knows all the details of the case would know which causes are most likely and which might be treatable!.
Short list of causes for neutropenia :
Malignancies involving bone marrow cells - e!.g!. leukemias
Many, many medications - this is most common
- - Most cancer chemotherapy drugs can cause neutropenia
Radiation
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency!.
Autoimmune neutropenia!.
Various infections, often viral, can cause neutropenia
Interferon therapy for viral hepatitis type C often causes a decrease in neutrophil counts!. http://www!.hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/Abo!.!.!.
It's difficult to provide an informed answer with such limited information about the case!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
See http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Vitamin_B
If he has a demonstrated deficiency of Folic acid or B12, supplements of these B vitamins may be warranted!. It is simple enough to check B12 and folate levels to see if he is deficient!. These deficiencies - which cause megaloblastosis - can be surmised clinically from the red blood cell indices as your hematology/oncology doctor knows!.
There is no reason he could not take a B complex supplement since these are water soluble vitamins which will be excreted in the urine if he does not need them!.
The BEST thing to do is talk with the specific heme/onc doctor or other medical specialty doctor who is giving the interferon!. That person should know how best to manage your husband's neutropenia!.
How do you know for sure that the neutropenia is being caused by the interferon!? What disease is the interferon treating!? Maybe the underlying disease is the cause of the low neutrophil count, or maybe the neutropenia is a reaction to some other medication he is taking!.
MANY things may contribute to neutropenia, The doctor who knows all the details of the case would know which causes are most likely and which might be treatable!.
Short list of causes for neutropenia :
Malignancies involving bone marrow cells - e!.g!. leukemias
Many, many medications - this is most common
- - Most cancer chemotherapy drugs can cause neutropenia
Radiation
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency!.
Autoimmune neutropenia!.
Various infections, often viral, can cause neutropenia
Interferon therapy for viral hepatitis type C often causes a decrease in neutrophil counts!. http://www!.hcvadvocate!.org/hepatitis/Abo!.!.!.
It's difficult to provide an informed answer with such limited information about the case!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
MD hematology oncology specialist physician with 20 years experienceWww@Answer-Health@Com
Since this is a chemically induced health related problem, The issue here is will vitamin b actually help!.
Your husband needs to ask his doctor about vitamin b!. I do know that when neutrophils get too low, other medication is added to help combat this issue!.
While vitamin b at a regular dose wont hurt, it might not be enough to help much either- and it's never a good idea to take anymore than a regular dose!.
Ask his doctor!. :O) Best of luck to your husband!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Your husband needs to ask his doctor about vitamin b!. I do know that when neutrophils get too low, other medication is added to help combat this issue!.
While vitamin b at a regular dose wont hurt, it might not be enough to help much either- and it's never a good idea to take anymore than a regular dose!.
Ask his doctor!. :O) Best of luck to your husband!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com
He should ask his doctor!. That is the person most qualified to answer the question!.Www@Answer-Health@Com