Glucosamine and White Cell Count

[Freedom]

Yesterday I learned that glucosamine has been found to result in a low white blood cell count in humans, dogs and cats. I need something "official" which supports this.

In some cases, the result is increased infections, usually URIs, or upper respiratory. Stopping the glucosamine, it takes about 2 months for the white cell count to return to normal.

My google search skills are lacking. If anyone can find something, please post a link in this thread.

Thanks for your help!

[lizbud]

I would question the source of this information. Where did you hear
or read about it?

[Grace]

So I've googled a bit and can find nothing that states that is an absolute given side effect.

That doesn't mean it might not for some people and some animals. I have been taking glucosamine chondroitin triple strength for years - and my white blood counts have always been within normal range.

You can google glucosamine side effects - lots of them listed.

[K9soul]

For what it's worth, I have never heard any correlation whatsoever between glucosamine and white counts in all my time doing medical transcription (since 2001). There have sometimes been concerns in diabetics with the possibility of raising blood sugar, but I have never heard of patients taking glucosamine developing leukopenia (low white cell count) due to taking it. I also could find nothing in googling to support this.

[Freedom]

I would question the source of this information. Where did you hear or read about it?

A neighbor recently went through this. Her white cell count was quite low and they couldn't figure out why. She was referred to a contagious diseases specialist who figured it out. Granted, there may well be more to it, and she just didn't understand it all. That is why I was trying to find info on this.

I found a reference to one case here:
http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/co...full/21/7/2031

Any other possible references are too technical for me to follow. Thanks, all.

[lizbud]

A neighbor recently went through this. Her white cell count was quite low and they couldn't figure out why. She was referred to a contagious diseases specialist who figured it out. Granted, there may well be more to it, and she just didn't understand it all. That is why I was trying to find info on this.

I found a reference to one case here:
http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/co...full/21/7/2031

Any other possible references are too technical for me to follow. Thanks, all.

Reading this leads me to believe their conclusion was a "best guess"
on their part & not a proven fact in this one case.

I do know of the dangers of prolonged use of prednisone can result in
kidney failure and possible liver damage, but I would never fear using
glucosamine for myself or my animals. It has proven it's worth to me.

Interesting read though.

[Grace]

That link you provided - the WBC of the patient presented was high, not low.

Normal WBC is 4 - 10.5. His was 15 - thus he had leukocytosis, not leukopenia.

The glucosamine might have caused the nephritis, but it did not lower his WBC.

[Freedom]

Thanks, Grace. Thanks why I needed some help; it gets confusing for me. Appreciate it!