Low White Blood Cell Count: Overview
Alternative names: Neutropenia
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.
Diagnose your symptoms now!
- check your overall health status
- have a doctor review your case (optional)
- identify any nutritional deficiencies
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 and Development
Neutropenia can occur in acute bacterial infections, viral infections, rickettsia disease, some parasite injections, aplastic and pernicious anemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, some hormone imbalances and anaphylactic shock.
On This Page
Low White Blood Cell Count:Signs, symptoms & indicators of Low White Blood Cell Count:
Lab Values - Cells
Counter-indicators
Risk factors for Low White Blood Cell Count:
Autoimmune
Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
Active lupus and an infection may share many symptoms. Further, infection can induce a lupus flare or be difficult to distinguish from a lupus flare. A low white blood cell count is suggestive of active lupus (although certain viruses can also give a low white count) while a high count suggests infection.
Circulation
Drug Side-Effect
Chemotherapy Side-Effects
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy destroy fast-growing cells such as white blood cells. Patients receiving a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy are at greater risk of a low white count.
Immunity
Infections
Chronic / Hidden Infection
A hidden chronic or overwhelming infection – especially a viral infection – can result in a depressed white blood cell count.
Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™
Symptom Entry
Diagnosis
Suggestions
LifeMeter®
Explanations
Review (optional)
Low White Blood Cell Count suggests the following may be present:
Circulation
Drug Side-Effect
Recommendations for Low White Blood Cell 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.
Report by The Analyst™
Click to see sample report
Click to see sample report
Health problems rarely occur in isolation or for obvious reasons
Your body is a highly complex, interconnected system. Instead of guessing at what might be wrong, let us help you discover what is really going on inside your body based on the many clues it is giving.
Our multiple symptom checker provides in-depth health analysis by The Analyst™ with full explanations, recommendations and (optionally) doctors available for case review and answering your specific questions.
KEY
Weak or unproven link:
may suggest
Strong or generally accepted link:
often increases risk of
Definite or direct link:
is a sign or symptom of; increases risk of
Definitely or absolutely counter-indicates:
strongly contraindicates
Very useful:
is highly recommended for
Last updated: Dec 01, 2023