Low white blood cell count

Low White Blood Cell Count

A Low white blood cell count or Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells (WBCs) found in the blood. The normal total white cell count in humans is around 4,000 to 11,000 white blood cells per microliter (µL) of blood. A count of less than 4,000 cells per µL is generally considered to be low.

Causes

Low white blood cell count can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Viral infections that disrupt bone marrow function
• Congenital disorders characterized by diminished bone marrow function
• Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow
• Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells
• Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced
• Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells

Symptoms

Symptoms of a low white blood cell count can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause but may include:

• Frequent infections
• Fever
• Extreme fatigue
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

A low white blood cell count is often found during a Complete blood count (CBC) test. If a patient has a low white blood cell count, further testing may be required to determine the cause.

Treatment

Treatment of a low white blood cell count typically involves treating the underlying cause. If the cause is an infection, treatment may involve antibiotics. If the cause is a medication, it may be necessary to discontinue or change the medication.

See also

• White blood cell
• Complete blood count
• Leukopenia
• Bone marrow