Why are leukocytes in the blood low and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This can leave you vulnerable to infections.

Leukocytes White Blood Count (WBC) are white blood cells that help the body fight various infections.

The lowered level of leukocytes in the blood is called leukopenia. This is not a disease, but a symptom that communicates: for some reason, your immune system has weakened. This means that you have become more vulnerable to diseases in Low White Blood Cell Count. It is worth figuring out why.

What is the low white blood cell count?

The human body produces about 100 billion Low White Blood Cell Counts daily. This is justified, since every day we are faced with pathogens of various diseases.

In order for the immune system to be ready for these encounters, the blood constantly contains a stable number of leukocytes. In an adult, the Overview of White Blood Cell Disorders in a healthy person is 4–11 thousand pieces per milliliter of blood (4–11 * 10⁹ / l). Children have High White Blood Cell Count - 5-10 thousand (5-10 * 10⁹ / l).

A low level of leukocytes is said if the total number of white blood cells becomes less than Low White Blood Cell 4 thousand pieces per milliliter of blood (4 * 10⁹ / l).

Leukopenia is almost always associated with a decrease in neutrophil levels. This is the most numerous group of leukocytes: it is neutrophils that are the first to attack pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other foreign elements that enter the body.

How to know if your white blood cell count is low

Leukopenia has no specific symptoms Low White Blood Cell Count. This condition can be assumed mainly by indirect signs:

• recurring infections every now and then;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• regularly forming sores in the mouth and anus.

To unequivocally establish leukopenia, you need to do a complete blood count. If you see a therapist about too frequent colds or other illnesses, the specialist will refer you to this test first.

Why is the level of leukocytes low

Usually, leukopenia means that the bone marrow, for some reason, does not produce the required number of white blood cells. Or that your body uses up leukocytes more actively than it can reproduce them.

Sometimes a low white blood cell count is congenital. This is not always dangerous. And only a doctor can determine if leukopenia is harmful to your health.

Here are some of the most common causes of Low White Blood Cell that lead to a decrease in your total white blood cell count.

1. Viral infections

Some viruses temporarily disrupt bone marrow function. Because of this, it produces fewer white blood cells than usual.

2. Autoimmune diseases

In this case, the immune system can attack blood cells or bone marrow cells. These conditions include Low White Blood Cell Count, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Diseases of the immune system

The most common is HIV / AIDS.

4. Sarcoidosis

This is the name of Sarcoidosis, a disease of an unknown nature, in which accumulations of inflammatory cells (granulomas) appear in the body. Because of the need to respond to constant inflammation, leukocytes are used up very quickly.

5. Diseases of the bone marrow

For example, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes or some types of cancer - the same leukemia (leukemia). They disrupt the function of bone marrow cells, and they cannot produce as many white blood cells as necessary.

6. Some other diseases

We are talking about severe infections that affect a significant part of an organ. This could be, for example, severe pneumonia or tuberculosis. In such cases, leukocytes are consumed faster than the body can produce them.

7. Taking medications that can destroy leukocytes

An example of such drugs is some antibiotics. Or Low White Blood Cell Count, which is used to treat hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).

8. Chemotherapy

Such treatment is prescribed for people who suffer from cancer. Chemotherapy reduces the activity of bone marrow cells.

9. Malnutrition

A diet that is too harsh or an unbalanced diet lacks important nutrients (including vitamins and minerals) that are needed for the production of white blood cells.

How to treat leukopenia

We repeat once again: a decrease in the level of leukocytes is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some kind of disorder. Therefore, first you need to make an accurate diagnosis. This can only be done by a qualified doctor - for example, a therapist or specialized specialist (pulmonologist, hematologist, rheumatologist, oncologist).

The doctor will find out the cause of leukopenia and, on this basis, will prescribe treatment.

Sometimes it is not necessary to treat leukopenia at all: it is considered an individual feature.

In other cases, to correct the white blood cell count, it is enough to cancel or replace the drugs that caused this side effect. Or get rid of the underlying disease.

Please note: as long as the number of leukocytes in your blood is below normal, you are more vulnerable to various infections. To avoid getting infected, follow the Low White Blood Cell precautions:

• wash your hands regularly and thoroughly;
• try to keep social distance with other people;
• avoid traveling by public transport during rush hour;
• do not share Low White Blood Cell Count dishes (forks, plates, cups), food, toothbrushes, cosmetics, towels with other people;
• do not go barefoot;
• give up swimming in ponds, lakes, rivers;
• if you have small children or pets, have someone else change diapers and cat litter. Try to avoid any contact with feces altogether;
• Cross out raw shellfish and eggs, lightly fried meat from the diet.