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About Low White Blood Counts

There are red blood cells in the body, which deliver oxygen and get rid of waste, and white blood cells, which defend the body, warding off disease. When white blood counts become low, the body is more prone to infection. Leukopenia is a low white blood count caused when there aren't enough white cells (leukocytes) circulating in the blood. Neutropenia is a low white blood count caused when very low levels of neutrophils,one of the many subcategories of leukocytes, circulate through the blood.

  1. Causes of Leukopenia

    • A viral infection or congenital disorder--such as myelokathexis, which affects bone marrow function-- cancer, other diseases such as hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis are causes of leukopenia. Aplastic anemia, HIV and AIDS, along with autoimmune conditions such as lupus and infections that make it impossible for the body to produce enough white blood cells fast enough are also causes of leukopenia. A person with leukopenia usually has a decrease in one of the many subtypes of white blood cells. Blood tests are used to determine which type is low.

    Other Causes of Leukopenia

    • Antibiotics, diuretics and prednisone are some drugs that can cause leukopenia, along with severe allergies and vitamin deficiencies. Radiation therapy can also lead to low white blood counts or leukopenia.

    Causes of Neutropenia

    • Neutropenia is most often caused as a result of receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer. This happens because chemotherapy destroys rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, the treatment kills healthy white blood cells, too. Other causes of neutropenia include cancer itself, and other drugs used to treat it. Patients who already have a low white blood count from previous chemotherapy sessions, people with other immune system problems and those over age 70 are at greater risk of developing neutropenia from chemotherapy.

    Considerations

    • The exact cause of neutropenia needs to be determined, because white blood cell growth factors can prevent the condition for most people if it is caused by chemotherapy and not underlying cancer or other medications.

    Treatment

    • Treatments for neutropenia include peripheral blood stem cells and Ex vivoexpansion. Giving peripheral blood stem cells immediately following high doses of chemotherapy allows for faster neutrophil recovery. Ex vivoexpansion is in the clinical trial process and involves growing neutrophils cells in the laboratory and then infusing them into patients getting chemotherapy to prevent neutropenia.

      Leukopenia is improved by treating the underlying condition that causes the low white blood count.

    Precautions

    • People with low white blood counts should take precautions to prevent infection, because their immune system is compromised. Doctors advise wearing face masks, avoiding people who are sick and frequently washing the hands to reduce the risk of catching anything from others.

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