Idk diagnosis, w ? about neutropenia + live bacteria
 

I visited here two ys ago when I was experiencing neutropenia, low platelets, and sporadic low RBC (the one time I requested they test for reticulocytes, they were low, too. I had a bone marrow biopsy done, which they botched and I decided to table my concerns as I wasn't going to do that again. My very consistent problems are neutropenia, and elevated MCV and MCH (the RBC and platelets are low but wnl).

I recently experienced an unexplained "flare" of neurological problems and I'm trying to figure out why. I had a possible lightbulb moment when I stumbled upon the "neutropenic diet" for transplant patients (but I come by it naturally). I had just, for the very first time ever, had several helpings of live culture yogurt-oops! That's apparently a no no and I've been trying to understand why and what happens. Someone explained that neutrophils clean up bad bacteria and that the body cannot handle the bacterial load if one eats (inoculates with) live bacteria yogurt. Then what happens? Presumably there's an over abundance of bacteria but....? Does it cause inflammation? Through what mechanism, or what happens? I'm trying to figure out if this could've set off an autoimmune attack, or inflammation in the brain or something that explains the subsequent neurological problems. The timing was quite suspicious.

I see my doc next month. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I would doubt the yogurt set off any inflammatory or autoimmune attack but then there's a first time for everything. If you have digestive issues or gut flora imbalances, then introducing good bacteria could have a temporary die off effect of the bad stuff especially if you flooded your system with a lot of it. John ate quite a bit of fermented/cultured food when he was neutropenic without any adverse effects.

Do you know what your specific B12 and folate lab numbers are? Many just know they are in the "normal" range which is not really too helpful when trying to understand if there is a nutritional issue going on. Also, if you are taking any vitamins when you are tested, it will falsely elevate levels. So it's good to know the exact numbers. Blood and nerves are very dependent on B12 and folate in order to function properly.

I would suggest, if your doc hasn't done so recently, to have your B12, B6, Folate, iron, zinc, vitamin D3 and copper checked. Stop taking all vitamins 3 -4 days prior to testing. All play a role in both blood and nerves.