Why are neutrophils low and what to do about it

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

In this condition, the slightest infection can become fatal.

Neutrophils Neutropenia is a type of white blood cell (leukocyte). All white blood cells help the body fight infections. Specifically, neutrophils are especially important in bacterial diseases such as angina or bronchitis.

Decreased levels of neutrophils in the blood are called neutropenia. This condition means that your immune system is weakened and cannot effectively fight off bacteria. That is, you are more vulnerable to all kinds of infections.

What is the low level of neutrophils?

Neutropenia is diagnosed if the number of neutrophils in the blood is less than 1,500 neutropenia per microliter. Some doctors consider Neutropenia to have a threshold of 1,800 per microliter.

In terms of severity, the condition is characterized as follows:

• 1,000–1,500 / μl - mild neutropenia;
• 500–1,000 / μl - moderate;
• less than 500 / μl - heavy.

How to know if neutrophils are low

Often people with neutropenia do not even realize that there are not enough white blood cells in their blood: the mild form does not have Neutropenia symptoms. In more complex cases, the disorder may manifest as Neutropenia. Symptoms yourself:

• now and then recurring bacterial infections: otitis media, gingivitis, skin inflammation;
• swelling;
• regular and seemingly unexplained temperature rises.

However, neutropenia is rarely detected by symptoms. In most cases, a decrease in the level of neutrophils is detected by chance Neutropenia - in a blood test, which is done for some other reason.

However, even if the first study showed that there are not enough neutrophils, it is too early to talk about neutropenia. The number of leukocytes in the blood can change over time, sometimes increasing, then decreasing, and this is absolutely normal. Therefore, your doctor will suggest that you repeat a complete blood count before making a diagnosis.

When you need to urgently seek help

In severe cases of neutrophil deficiency, even "native" bacteria - those that live in a healthy gastrointestinal tract or, say, on the oral mucosa - can cause serious illness. And any infection is capable of almost lightning-fast Neutropenia become fatal.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible or, depending on the condition, call an ambulance if, against the background of diagnosed neutropenia, you observe one, let alone several of the listed Neutropenia symptoms. When to see a doctor:

• Fever. They talk about it if the temperature has risen above 38 ° C.
• Chills and sweating.
• Obsessive or violent cough, if not present before. An increase in an existing cough is also a dangerous sign.
• Dyspnea.
• Pain in the mouth.
• Sore throat.
• Any noticeable changes in urination: pain, pain, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, changes in the color and consistency of urine.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomit.
• Redness or swelling around the slightest scratch or cut.
• Vaginal discharge that was not there before.
• Stiff neck. They talk about this sign if it hurts you to turn or tilt your head, or you cannot tilt it back.
• Perceptible pain in any part of the body (leg, arm, abdomen, chest), if it was not there before.

Why are neutrophils low

Neutropenia occurs when neutrophils are consumed or destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce them. Or if he by himself is not able to produce them in sufficient quantities. It can be caused by a variety of diseases or conditions.

These are the most common causes of Neutropenia. Causes, due to which the level of neutrophils in the blood decreases.

1. Infections

Neutrophils fall with the following diseases:

• Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus).
• Hepatitis. Most often of three types: A, B, C, in acute and chronic forms.
• Chickenpox.
• Measles.
• Tuberculosis.
• Lyme disease.
• Salmonella infection.
• HIV AIDS.
• Sepsis (blood poisoning).

2. Some autoimmune diseases

These include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
• Crohn's disease.

3. Diseases of the bone marrow and blood

For example, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myelofibrosis Myelofibrosis (an unusual type of bone marrow cancer), or leukemia - blood cancer.

4. Chemotherapy used to treat cancer

Such procedures are necessary: they destroy malignant formations. However, along with cancer cells, healthy ones, including neutrophils, also fall under the distribution.

5. Taking some medications

The following can lower the level of neutrophils:

• Drugs used to treat overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
• Antibiotics, including common antibiotics, such as penicillin-based.
• Antiviral agents.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs. In particular, those used to treat ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Antipsychotic drugs.
• Drugs for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

6. Lack of vitamins or minerals

Neutrophil counts can drop if you don't get enough Neutropenia vitamin B12, folic acid, or copper.

7. Influence of understudied factors

Sometimes neutropenia is congenital. And in some cases, its causes cannot be established at all - then they talk about an idiopathic (unknown nature) violation.

What to do with neutropenia

Some types of neutropenia do not need therapy. Neutropenia. Management and Treatment: These are treated as an individual trait. Others are successfully corrected by canceling the drugs that caused such a side effect, or, for example, by treating the underlying infectious disease - chickenpox, measles, hepatitis.

However, only a qualified doctor - therapist or other specialist who discovered the violation - should decide what to do in your particular case.