Low wbc count
Overview
A low white blood cell count usually means your body is not making enough white blood cells. It can increase your risk of getting infections. Leukopenia (low white blood cell count) happens when you have a lower-than-normal number of white blood cells. Specifically, you have fewer neutrophils than normal.
Neutrophils are white blood cells that act as your immune system’s first line of defense. Without enough white blood cells, you’re more vulnerable to developing infections.
Causes
White blood cells are made in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of the larger bones. Conditions that affect the bone marrow are the usual causes of low white blood cell count. Some of these conditions are present at birth, also known as congenital.
Causes of a low white blood cell count include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- Infections
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Malaria
- Malnutrition and lack of certain vitamins
- Medications, such as antibiotics
- Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)
- Sepsis (an overwhelming bloodstream infection)
- Tuberculosis
When to see a doctor
A test a health care provider orders to diagnose a condition can reveal a low white blood cell count. A low white blood cell count is rarely found by chance.
Talk to your care provider about what your results mean. A low white blood cell count plus results from other tests might show the cause of your illness. Or you might need other tests for more information about your condition.
A very low white blood cell count over time means you can get infections easily. Ask your care provider about ways to not catch diseases that are passed from one person to the next. Wash your hands regularly and well. Consider wearing a face mask and stay away from anyone with a cold or other illness.
