What Does Low White Blood Cell Count Mean

Olivia Luz

Wbcs which are produced in the bone marrow are an important part of your immune system and your body s natural weapon to fight off bacteria viruses and other germs. The definition of low white blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. Medicine for an overactive thyroid.

What causes a low white blood cell count.

So there s an exponential increase in risk as white count goes up even within the so called normal range. Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells. It can increase your risk of getting infections. How many white blood cells wbcs someone has varies but the normal range is usually between 4 000 and 11 000 per microliter of blood.

A low white blood cell wbc count is a decreased number of white blood cells leukocytes in the blood. People with lower white blood cell counts live longer. This condition can cause bacteria that are normally in your body to become a risk of infection. Even within the normal range every one point drop may be associated with a 20 drop in the risk of premature death.

A low wbc count is referred to medically as leukopenia. A low white blood cell count usually is caused by. How is a white blood cell count tested. If the count is less than 2000 ml the white blood cell count is considered to be low.

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Some cancers like leukaemia. A low white blood cell count can indicate the presence of one or more serious health problems such as leukemia hyperthyroidism aplastic anemia or an infectious disease. Cancer treatment like radiotherapy. Leukopenia is almost always related to a decrease in a certain type of white blood cell neutrophil.

The average person has between 4 000 and 11 000 white blood cells per microliter of blood according to webmd. Numbers over 11 000 indicate a high white blood cell count. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow. Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow.

A person who has less than 4 500 is considered to have a low white blood cell count. A short term low white blood cell count is usually due to acute neutropenia a short period of time in which absolute number of neutrophils in the blood are low 3 acute neutropenia is usually due to high neutrophil use in the body or low neutrophil production which are common when your body is fighting off an infection. A low white blood cell count usually means your body is not making enough white blood cells. A low white blood cell count leukopenia is a decrease in disease fighting cells leukocytes in your blood.

A blood test that shows a wbc count of less than 4 000 per. The name given to low levels of neutrophils is neutropenia which can have several causes. Certain disorders present at birth congenital that involve diminished bone marrow function. An insufficient number of cells may also be a potentially dangerous side effect from taking certain medications or receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

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