What Kind of Sicknesses Have Low White Blood Counts?

A low white blood count may be referred to as a neutropenia or leukopenia. Reduced white blood cells lower your body's ability to fight infections. When your white blood count is low, it is important to avoid people who are ill.

Neutropenia

• Neutropenia is a result of a decreased number of neutrophils, a specific type of white blood cell, according to MedicineNet. These cells have enzymes that destroy microorganisms. They are produced in your bone marrow and once released into your bloodstream, they live for approximately three days.

Leukopenia

• The Mayo Clinic indicates that leukopenia is a term that refers to a decrease in leukocytes, which includes all types of white blood cells. Low white cell count for adults is typically considered to be less than 3,500 cells in a microliter of blood.

Causes

• According to MedicineNet, low white blood count may be caused by infections, vitamin deficiencies, medications that affect your bone marrow (such as chemotherapy), bone marrow diseases (such as leukemia and aplastic anemia), congenital disorders, radiation therapy, hypersplenism (increased blood cell destruction by your spleen) and autoimmune diseases that destroy white blood cells.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of a low white blood cell count includes a blood test. Other tests may be necessary to find the specific cause. In some situations, a bone marrow biopsy may be needed.

Treatment

• Treatment of the underlying condition is important in controlling your white blood count, according to MedicineNet. In addition, you may be given antibiotic or anti-fungal medications to fight infections, transfusions, corticosteroid therapy, intravenous immune globulin and, in some cases, substances called growth factors that stimulate production of white blood cells.

Considerations

• In a condition of low white blood cell count, the majority of infections that occur are caused by bacteria that typically exist in your urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract or on your skin every day.