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White blood cells play an important role in the immunity/immune system of an individual. The white blood cell count is performed routinely as part of a complete blood count. An unusually high white blood cell count can indicate an infection, hypersplenism, bone marrow depression (drugs, radiation or heavy metal poisoning) or primary bone marrow disorders such as leukemia. A low white blood cell count can be the result of infection, make an individual more susceptible to outside infections or allow multiplication of organisms within the body which would normally kept in check by a healthy immune system.
There are many different types and forms of white cells. Since deficiencies can affect one or more types or forms, a doctor's help and additional testing is usually required to understand the nature or cause of the deficiency.
Causes & Development
Neutropenia can occur in acute bacterial infections, viral infections, rickettsiae disease, some parasite injections, aplastic and pernicious anemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, some hormone imbalances and anaphylactic shock.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Low White Count:
Risk factors for Low White Count:
Low White Count suggests the following may be present:
Recommendations and treatments for Low White Count: | | | | | Habits |  Personal Hygiene Changes | When your white count is low, consider additional personal hygiene measures to reduce the risk of infection. Examples of these could include:- Washing your hands frequently, and reminding those who come in contact with you to do the same.
- Keeping fingernails short and neatly trimmed, being careful not to trim cuticles or cut nails so short they bleed.
- Avoiding persons with colds or infections. Don't be embarrassed to wear a surgical face mask in crowded circumstances.
- Avoiding fresh flowers, plants or fruits that can carry bacteria and fungi.
- Inspecting for cuts and scratches which should be cleaned and have a new dressing applied at least once per day.
- Cleaning your mouth several times each day by brushing and the regular use of an antiseptic mouthwash.
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Anaphylactic Shock (Anaphalactic Shock, Anaphylaxis)
A serious and rapid allergic reaction usually involving more than one part of the body which, if severe enough, can kill. It is characterized by decreased blood pressure and impaired respiration.
Antiseptic
Inhibiting growth of infectious organisms.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Chemotherapy
A treatment of disease by any chemicals. Used most often to refer to the chemical treatments used to combat cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles: a treatment period followed by a recovery period, then another treatment period, and so on. Most anticancer drugs are given by injection into a blood vessel (IV); some are given by mouth. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. Usually, a patient has chemotherapy as an outpatient (at the hospital, at the doctor's office, or at home). However, depending on which drugs are given and the patient's general health, a short hospital stay may be needed.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A set of measurements that are generally determined by specially designed machines that analyze the different components of blood in less than a minute. The values generally included are:- White blood cell count (WBC). The number of white blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 - 10.8 x 10^9 cells per liter.
- Automated white cell differential. A machine-generated percentage of the different types of white blood cells, usually split into granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
- Red cell count (RBC). The number of red blood cells in a volume of blood. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is generally between 4.2 - 5.9 million cells per cubic millimeter. This can also be referred to as the erythrocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.2 - 5.9 x 10^12 cells per liter.
- Hemoglobin (Hb). The amount of hemoglobin in a volume of blood. Normal range for hemoglobin is different between the sexes and is approximately 13 - 18 gm/dl for men and 12 - 16 for women (international units 8.1 - 11.2 millimoles/liter for men, 7.4 - 9.9 for women).
- Hematocrit (Hct). The ratio of the volume of red cells to the volume of whole blood. Normal range for hematocrit is different between the sexes and is approximately 45 - 52% for men and 37 - 48% for women.
- Mean cell volume (MCV). The average volume of a red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the hematocrit and red cell count. Normal range is 86 - 98 femtoliters.
- Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH). The average amount of hemoglobin in the average red cell. This is a calculated value derived from the measurement of hemoglobin and the red cell count. Normal range is 27 - 32 picograms.
- Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The average concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of red cells. This is a calculated volume derived from the hemoglobin measurement and the hematocrit. Normal range is 32 - 36%.
- Red cell distribution width (RDW). A measurement of the variability of red cell size. Higher numbers indicate greater variation in size. Normal range is 11 - 15.
- Platelet count. The number of platelets in a volume blood. Platelets play a vital role in blood clotting. Normal range varies slightly between laboratories but is in the range of 150,000 - 400,000 per cubic millimeter (150 - 400 x 10^9 per liter).
Hormones (Hormone)
Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Leukemia
Cancer of the lymph glands and bone marrow resulting in overproduction of white blood cells (related to Hodgkin's disease).
Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.
Pernicious Anemia
Anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy)
The use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Depending on the stage of the disease, treatment with radiation may be given alone or with chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is local therapy; it affects cancer cells only in the treated area. External radiation does not cause the body to become radioactive. Most often, treatment is given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or clinic.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
White Blood Cell (WBC, White Blood Cells)
A blood cell that does not contain hemoglobin: a blood corpuscle responsible for maintaining the body's immune surveillance system against invasion by foreign substances such as viruses or bacteria. White cells become specifically programmed against foreign invaders and work to inactivate and rid the body of a foreign substance. White blood cells are composed primarily of neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are either T-cells or B-cells. T-cells (CD3 cells) are divided into T-helper (CD4 cells) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8 cells) cells.
Last updated: May 18, 2008
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