Common Causes
The doctor will advise the person suffering from low white blood cell count to have multivitamins, and also follow a diet rich in zinc and copper. There are certain foods that help in increasing the number of white blood cells in the body.
Related Conditions
You won’t be able to feel any direct effects of a low white blood cell count, so you may need periodic testing to monitor your count. Call your healthcare provider or make an appointment if you get a fever or chills, feel run down, develop sores or a wound that won’t heal, or vomit, have diarrhea, or lose your appetite.
How do you treat a low white blood count?
Low white blood cell counts (WBC) can be particularly problematic, because your white blood cell count is closely tied to your immune system’s ability to protect you from infection. Because a low white blood count can be life threatening, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the symptoms and terminology.
What are the signs of a low white blood count?
The Causes of thrombocytopenia can be divided into three broad groups depending on how it happens:
- Diminished production
- Increased destruction
- Sequestration Also Check: How To Fight Chemo Fatigue What Causes A Low White Blood Cell Count If a person has too manyor too fewwhite blood cells in the body, it ...
- CBC . ...
- Blood smear is a test used to see how your platelets look under a microscope.
Is low white blood cell count life threatening?
What are the causes of low white blood count?
Should I be worried if my white blood cells are low?
Underlying causes for a low white blood cell count can range from benign disorders, such as vitamin deficiencies, to more serious blood diseases, such as leukemia or lymphoma. A truly low white blood cell count also puts you at higher risk for infections — typically bacterial infections.
What is the most common reason for low white blood cell count?
A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
Is low white blood cells life threatening?
A poorly controlled or untreated low WBC count can be serious and even life threatening due to increased vulnerability to potentially life threatening infectious diseases, such as: bloodstream infection (sepsis) or fungal infection.
Does low white blood cells mean cancer?
A low white blood cell count is associated with certain conditions, including: Cancer (caused by chemotherapy treatments) Bone marrow disorders or damage. Autoimmune disorders (problems with the immune system in which the body attacks itself), such as lupus.
How do you fix low white blood cell count?
Some sources of quality protein are fish, eggs, poultry, beef, milk, Greek yogurt and beans. If your diet is poor, or you're having trouble eating, you can take a multivitamin or supplement with vitamin B12 and folate. The body uses vitamin B12 and folate to make WBCs.
What cancers cause low WBC?
Low white blood cell count. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow can also lower the count. These types of cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
What are the first signs of having leukemia?
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:Fever or chills.Persistent fatigue, weakness.Frequent or severe infections.Losing weight without trying.Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.Easy bleeding or bruising.Recurrent nosebleeds.Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)More items...
Do low white blood cells make you tired?
Can low white blood cells cause fatigue? Low white bloods cells likely aren't the cause of fatigue. If you have low WBC and are increasingly feeling fatigued, both are likely symptoms of an underlying issue.
What infections cause low WBC?
They help your body fight off diseases and infections. If you have too few WBCs, you have a condition known as leukopenia....Several infectious diseases that can cause leukopenia include:HIV or AIDS.tuberculosis.viral hepatitis.malaria.typhoid fever.
What is an alarming WBC count?
A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.
What are the symptoms of low white blood cell count?
The common symptoms of a low WBC, also known as leukopenia, include body aches, chills, fever and headaches. If you have these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your doctor and he/she may recommend a WBC count.
What level of white blood cells indicates cancer?
The WBC count range for people with CML is much higher than normal levels. The median WBC count among people with CML is 100,000/μl , but it can climb higher. Some sources note that people with acute or chronic leukemia may have a WBC count in the 100,000–400,000 range.
What infections cause low WBC?
They help your body fight off diseases and infections. If you have too few WBCs, you have a condition known as leukopenia....Several infectious diseases that can cause leukopenia include:HIV or AIDS.tuberculosis.viral hepatitis.malaria.typhoid fever.
What vitamin deficiency causes low white blood cells?
Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12 and folate play a crucial role in WBC formation. Low levels of vitamin B6, copper, and zinc may also play a role in low WBC production. A blood test can identify whether these nutrients are low, as you should not take supplements of these nutrients if your levels are normal.
Can stress and anxiety cause low white blood count?
Calabrese says. In addition, stress decreases the body's lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off infection. The lower your lymphocyte level, the more at risk you are for viruses, including the common cold and cold sores.
What conditions may be associated with low WBC?
Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, will tell your body to attack and destroy its own WBCs. Infection: Viruses can affect your bone marrow and cause low WBCs for a while.
What is considered low white blood cell count?
Different laboratories classify low white blood cell counts differently. Generally, a count lower than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count. But ask your doctor what the normal range is for the laboratory he or she uses.
Why is low white blood cell count important?
As part of your immune system, white blood cells fight disease and are important for the body's defense against infections. A chronically low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can make you vulnerable to bacterial infections and could signal a serious health problem.
How to reduce infection risk?
To help reduce your infection risk, your doctor may suggest you wear a face mask and avoid anyone with a cold or other illness. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly can also help reduce risk. Ask your doctor if there are other precautions you should take to help avoid infections.
Is low white blood cell count a sign of a medical problem?
Answer: A low white blood cell count can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical problem, but not always. First, it's important to determine what your health care provider means by "low.". Not all medical laboratories use the same range to decide what's normal and what's not.
Is it normal for white blood cells to be low?
In addition, what would be considered a low white blood cell count for some people may be a normal finding for others. For example, African-Americans tend to have lower white blood cell counts than Caucasians. It's also not uncommon for young Caucasian women to have white blood cell counts that fall slightly below the normal reference ranges. Talk to your doctor about how individual factors may affect your white blood cell levels.
Can a low white blood cell count be used to diagnose a disease?
Because a low white blood cell count cannot, in and of itself, be used to diagnose a specific disease or disorder, ...
What does it mean when your white blood count is low?
A low white blood cell count can be an indicator of certain conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vitamin deficiencies, or a side effect of cancer treatment.
How to minimize the chances of certain diseases and a low white blood cell count?
To minimize the chances of certain diseases and a low white blood cell count: Practice good hygiene. For instance, wash your hands after using the bathroom and before cooking. Be careful around pets and other animals that might transmit infections.
What does it mean when you have too many white blood cells?
If a person has too many—or too few—white blood cells in the body, it may mean that there is a disorder of some kind. A white blood cell count of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low.
What to do if your white blood cell count is low?
If your white blood cell count is low, and you feel like you have an infection, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Why do doctors order a blood count?
The doctor may order a complete blood count test on a regular basis to check on a patient who has certain conditions, such as an infection or immune system disorder. Other information from the complete blood count will help your doctor come up with a list of possible diagnoses.
How many white blood cells are produced in the human body?
White blood cells help the body identify and fight a variety of diseases and infections. The human body produces about 100 billion white blood cells each day. There are five major types of white blood cells: Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission.
What are white blood cell count low symptoms?
Low white count : Symptoms are usually from underlying disease which lower white count like infections, lupus, arthritis, vasculitis, connective tissue diseases, b12, folic acid, copper deficiency, mds. Neutropenia also increases risk for various infections.
Can low WBC count cause infections?
So, people with low white blood cell counts could be more susceptible to infections. However, it depends on why the wbcs are low. Some people simply have low WBC counts and live normal lives. Others could have an underlying problem causing the low counts. 6.3k views Reviewed >2 years ago.
Is having a 19000 white blood cell count dangerous?
Depends on cause: White cell count of 19000 is definitely elevated and needs to be evaluated. It may be due to an infection and you should consult your doctor asap.
Why is my WBC low?
Low WBC counts are often linked to bone marrow problems. Being around certain chemicals, like benzene and pesticides, as well as some types of cancer and cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation, can hurt your bone marrow's ability to make WBCs.
Why does my WBC count drop?
Spleen problems: The spleen also makes WBCs. Infections, blood clots, and other problems can make it swell and not work the way it should. This will drop your WBC count.
How many white blood cells are there in a microliter?
How many white blood cells (WBCs) someone has varies, but the normal range is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter of blood. A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.
What diseases will tell your body to attack and destroy its own WBCs?
Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, will tell your body to attack and destroy its own WBCs.
Does benzene harm white blood cells?
Scientific American: "Even at Low Levels, Benzene Takes Toll on White Blood Cells."
Does HIV kill WBCs?
HIV kills a specific kind of white blood cell. Medicines: Some drugs, including antibiotics, can destroy WBCs. Nutrition: Not eating well or low levels of certain vitamins, such as folic acid and B12, can affect how your body makes WBCs . Alcohol abuse can mess with the nutrients in your body and with WBC counts, too.
Is there a normal range for each of the five types of WBCs?
This other test gives a lot more detail. There are normal ranges for each of the five kinds of WBCs, and some problems only affect one type. The results of a diff could help your doctor narrow down what's going on.
What is considered low white blood cell count?
In general, for adults a count lower than 4,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count. For children, that threshold varies with age.
What does it mean when your white blood cell count is low?
Definition. A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) is a decrease in disease-fighting cells (leukocytes) in your blood. Leukopenia is almost always related to a decrease in a certain type of white blood cell (neutrophil).
What happens if your white blood cells are too high?
What Are White Blood Cells? White blood cell counts that are too high or too low may be dangerous, depending on the cause. Infection can cause spikes, as well as blood cancers and other conditions. White blood cells (leukocytes) make up about 1% of our blood and they help protect the body against illness and disease.
What causes high white blood cells?
Causes of high white blood cell counts include: Infections, such as bacterial infections. Leukemia and lymphoma, which are types of cancers. Trauma. Extensive wounds or burns. Acute or chronic inflammation such as from autoimmune disease, allergies, and other inflammatory problems. Cigarette smoking.
Why do white blood cells make antibodies?
These white blood cells create antibodies to fight against bacteria, viruses, and other harmful germs
What are the white blood cells that help with allergic reactions?
They also help with allergic responses. They make up about 1 to 3% of the total number of white blood cells. Basophils. These white blood cells release histamine during an allergic reaction which promotes blood flow to the body’s tissues. They play a role in fighting infection.
Where are white blood cells produced?
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and stored in the blood and lymph tissues.
Which cells have a longer lifespan than other white blood cells?
Monocytes. These white blood cells have a longer lifespan than other white blood cells and help to break down bacteria. They make up about 8% of the total number of white blood cells. Eosinophils. These white blood cells attack and kill parasites and cancer cells. They also help with allergic responses.
Is it dangerous to have a high white blood cell count?
White blood cell counts that are too high or too low may be dangerous, depending on the cause.
What happens if you have a low white cell count?
The low white cell count increases the risk of infection. Differential: This portion of the CBC shows the counts for the 5 main kinds of white cells, either as percentages (the first 5 counts), or as the absolute number of cells (the second 5 counts). Absolute neutrophil count: Neutrophils are the main white blood cell for fighting ...
What are low blood counts?
You should have billions of these blood cells circulating throughout your body. However, certain circumstances may cause you to have fewer cells than is considered normal, a condition which is called “low blood counts”. The laboratory test that is conducted to measure the number of blood cells is called a complete blood count, or CBC.
Why is it important to monitor blood counts?
It is important to monitor for low blood cell count because this condition may:
Why do cancer patients have low blood counts?
The most common reason cancer patients experience low blood counts is as a side effect of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy works by destroying cells that grow rapidly, a characteristic of cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also affects normal cells that grow rapidly, ...
What is the white blood cell count?
White blood cells: White blood cells help protect individuals from infections. The above CBC report shows that the patient’s total white cell count is 1.5, which is lower than the normal range of 4.0-10.5. The low white cell count increases the risk of infection.
What is the test called for blood count?
A test called the complete blood count (CBC) is used to determine whether your blood counts are low. The CBC measures the levels of the three basic blood cells: red, white, and platelets.
What is the test called to measure the number of blood cells?
The laboratory test that is conducted to measure the number of blood cells is called a complete blood count, or CBC.
