What are the causes of low white blood cells?
These include:
- AIDS
- Aplastic anemia (condition in which the bone marrow makes insufficient blood cells)
- Bone marrow disease (myelodysplastic syndromes)
- Chemotherapy
- Leukemia
- Liver disease ( hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure)
- Overactive spleen that destroys white blood cells
- Radiation exposure
Why do white blood cells outnumber red blood cells?
White blood cells (leukocytes), unlike red cells, are nucleated and independently motile. Highly differentiated for their specialized functions, they do not undergo cell division ( mitosis) in the bloodstream, but some retain the capability of mitosis.
Does low white blood cells mean cancer?
Why It Occurs. A person with cancer can develop a low WBC count from the cancer or from treatment for the cancer. Cancer may be in the bone marrow, causing fewer neutrophils to be made. The WBC count can also go down when cancer is treated with chemotherapy drugs, which slow bone marrow production of healthy WBCs.
How dangerous is a high white blood cell count?
White blood cell counts that are too high or too low may be dangerous, depending on the cause. Infection can cause spikes, as well as blood cancers and other conditions. White blood cells (leukocytes) make up about 1% of our blood and they help protect the body against illness and disease.
Overview
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are responsible for protecting your body from infection. As part of your immune system, white blood cells circulate in your blood and respond to injury or illness.
Function
White blood cells protect your body against infection. As your white blood cells travel through your bloodstream and tissues, they locate the site of an infection and act as an army general to notify other white blood cells of their location to help defend your body from an attack of an unknown organism.
Anatomy
Your white blood cells are in your bloodstream and travel through blood vessel walls and tissues to locate the site of an infection.
Conditions and Disorders
If you have a low white blood cell count, you are likely to get infections ( leukopenia ). If your white blood cell count is too high ( leukocytosis ), you may have an infection or an underlying medical condition like leukemia, lymphoma or an immune disorder.
What causes low white blood cells?
A low white blood cell count can be caused by the following ( not an exhaustive list ): 1 Infections, including viral infections (especially HIV/AIDS) 2 Chronic inflammation, which can use up white blood cells faster than they are produced 3 Certain disorders present at birth that involve diminished bone marrow function 4 Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow, such as leukemia; also, chemotherapy or radiation therapy 5 Drugs, such as antibiotics, which destroy white blood cells 6 Autoimmune disorders such as sarcoidosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis 7 Nutrient deficiencies
What causes white blood cells to use up faster than they are produced?
Chronic inflammation, which can use up white blood cells faster than they are produced. Certain disorders present at birth that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow, such as leukemia; also, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
What is the effect of IGF-1 on WBCs?
6) IGF-1. IGF-I stimulates a rapid increase in a number of immune cells, including WBCs, and helps increase the overall effectiveness of the immune system [ 28 ]. IGF-1 has an antiapoptotic (inhibits cell death) effect on WBC count and may increase their number [ 29 ].
How long does cortisol affect WBCs?
Cell numbers then rise 24 to 72 hours after treatment [ 21 ]. We strongly recommend against using cortisol to increase WBCs.
What causes low WBCs?
Autoimmune disorders such as sarcoidosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrient deficiencies. The causes listed here are commonly associated with this symptom, but low WBCs are not enough to identify the underlying condition responsible. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What does it mean when your white blood count is low?
Having too low of a white blood cell count can be a sign of an immune system that is not capable of handling infections properly.
Is WBC a predictor of mortality?
Repeatedly, studies have shown that WBC is a clinical marker of inflammation and a strong predictor of the risk of dying (mortality) from all causes [ 4, 5 ]. The total WBC count is an independent predictor of mortality in older adults, but the monocyte subtype provides greater predictability [ 6 ].
What percentage of blood cells are white?
White blood cells make up around 1 percent of all blood cells, and they are essential to regular function in the immune system. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. The bone marrow continuously produces white blood cells.
What causes white blood cells to increase?
injury. emotional stress. labor. pregnancy. smoking. allergic reactions. excessive exercise . Certain respiratory illnesses, such as a whooping cough or tuberculosis, may cause the levels of white blood cells to increase. In some cases, all white blood cells are affected.
How many white blood cells are there in the human body?
Several types of white blood cell serve different functions. Most people will produce around 100 billion white blood cells every day. There are normally between 4,000 and 11,000 cells in every microliter of blood, although this can vary according to race. There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: ...
What does it mean when your monocytes are high?
Monocytes: High levels of monocytes may indicate the presence of chronic infection, an autoimmune or blood disorder, cancer, or other medical conditions. Lymphocytes: If there is an elevation in the level of lymphocytes, the condition is known as lymphocytic leukocytosis. This may occur as a result of a virus or an infection, such as tuberculosis. ...
What are the different types of white blood cells?
There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: 1 Lymphocytes: These are vital for producing antibodies that help the body to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, and other threats. 2 Neutrophils: These are powerful white blood cells that destroy bacteria and fungi. 3 Basophils: These alert the body to infections by secreting chemicals into the bloodstream, mostly to combat allergies. 4 Eosinophils: These are responsible for destroying parasites and cancer cells, and they are part of an allergic response 5 Monocytes: These are responsible for attacking and breaking down germs or bacteria that enter the body.
What organs do monocytes travel to?
When necessary, monocytes travel to other organs, such as the spleen, liver, lungs, and bone marrow, where they transform into a cell called a macrophage. A macrophage is responsible for many functions, including removing dead or damaged tissue, destroying cancer cells, and regulating the immune response.
What is the term for an increase in white blood cells?
An increase in white blood cells is known as leukocytosis. It typically occurs in response to the following conditions: infection. immunosuppression. medications, including corticosteroids. a bone marrow or immune disorder. certain cancers, such as acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. inflammation. injury.
Why is low white blood cell count important?
As part of your immune system, white blood cells fight disease and are important for the body's defense against infections. A chronically low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can make you vulnerable to bacterial infections and could signal a serious health problem.
What is considered low white blood cell count?
Different laboratories classify low white blood cell counts differently. Generally, a count lower than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count. But ask your doctor what the normal range is for the laboratory he or she uses.
How to reduce infection risk?
To help reduce your infection risk, your doctor may suggest you wear a face mask and avoid anyone with a cold or other illness. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly can also help reduce risk. Ask your doctor if there are other precautions you should take to help avoid infections.
Is low white blood cell count a sign of a medical problem?
Answer: A low white blood cell count can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical problem, but not always. First, it's important to determine what your health care provider means by "low.". Not all medical laboratories use the same range to decide what's normal and what's not.
Do African Americans have lower white blood cells?
For example, African-Americans tend to have lower white blood cell counts than Caucasians. It's also not uncommon for young Caucasian women to have white blood cell counts that fall slightly below the normal reference ranges. Talk to your doctor about how individual factors may affect your white blood cell levels.
Can a low white blood cell count be used to diagnose a disease?
Because a low white blood cell count cannot, in and of itself, be used to diagnose a specific disease or disorder, ...
What causes low white blood cells?
White blood cells are manufactured in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones. A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: 1 Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow 2 Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function 3 Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow 4 Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells 5 Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced 6 Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells 7 Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)
Why is my white blood count low?
A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
What diseases destroy bone marrow?
Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow. Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells. Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced. Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells.
What is a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream?
Myelodysplastic syndromes. Myelokathexis (a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream) Radiation therapy. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Tuberculosis (and other infectious diseases) Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom.
What is an elevated white blood cell count?
An elevated white blood cell count is called leukocytosis and can be evidence that your body is trying to fight off something. If your test results show an elevated white blood cell count, your first thought might be that something horrible is wrong with you. While many of the causes of an elevated white blood cell count are serious, ...
What foods lower white blood cells?
The following foods can not only help you lower the white blood cell count, but they are also good, healthy choices alone. 1. Antioxidants. Foods high in antioxidants like carrots, blueberries, onions and garlic are great to help with the immune system. 2.
How old is a baby when you have a high white blood cell count?
As an infant, your white blood cell count tends to be higher, and the count steadily decreases to the age of 16. The measurements are taken per microliter or mcL. “Normal” white blood cell counts can vary from laboratory to laboratory, but they do tend to be similar.