What causes low white blood cell count?

The white blood cells in the blood are leukocytes. If the number of white blood cells is not within the normal range, it indicates that there is something wrong with the body and further examination is needed to rule out other diseases. What is the reason for the low white blood cell count? Many people think that a decrease in white blood cell count is a bad phenomenon. In fact, sometimes a simple viral cold can cause a decrease in white blood cell count. Don't be too nervous. If you are worried, you can do a further check.

The various values ​​of human blood are also unstable and change with the changes in physical condition. White blood cells play a relatively large role in resisting the attack of diseases and performing a defensive function. However, if the white blood cell count decreases, its function will be weakened, which means that the resistance will decrease. So what is the reason for low white blood cell count?

The white blood cells in the blood are the patrol soldiers that defend the human body against bacterial invasion. When bacteria or other foreign bodies invade, white blood cells enter the invaded area, surround, engulf and eliminate the bacteria, so white blood cells are known as the "white guards" of the human body. It can be seen that a decrease in the number of white blood cells will weaken the body's antibacterial ability and make it easy to get infected. However, leukopenia does not necessarily require treatment. First, it depends on the extent of the reduction; second, it depends on the cause of the reduction. 

The normal white blood cell count is (4-10)×109/L, which is generally 4000-10000 per cubic millimeter, and the average is 7000. If it is between 4000 and 7000, it is lower than normal and no treatment is needed; if it is lower than 4000, it can be diagnosed as leukopenia. Even so, treatment is not necessarily needed. For example, if there is only a slight or transient decrease, and it does not continue to decrease during follow-up examination, and there are no symptoms or discomfort, then there is no need to be nervous and no treatment is needed. Of course, the white blood cells in the following situations need attention, and intervention measures should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

1. A severe decrease in white blood cell count requires emergency treatment. White blood cells are composed of granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, etc. The most common and main leukocytopenia generally refers to granulocytopenia. If the reduction is too obvious, the bacteria may spread rapidly when the body completely or basically loses its resistance, and may even enter the blood and cause sepsis, which is a serious threat to life.

2. Leukocytopenia with identifiable causes should be treated accordingly. There are generally three common causes of leukocytopenia: one is medication, such as taking antipyretic analgesics, sulfonamides, etc. If the leukocytopenia is too obvious, you should stop taking the medication or change the medication; the second is viral infection, such as influenza, viral infection, etc. At this time, on the one hand, you should actively carry out antiviral treatment, and on the other hand, you can take drugs to increase white blood cells as appropriate; the third is suffering from immune system diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, etc. At this time, the same intervention should be made, and drugs that can increase white blood cells should be selected.  3. Further diagnosis and treatment are required when there is a decrease in red blood cells and (or) thrombocytopenia. When leukopenia occurs, if there are abnormal changes in the other two types of blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, the problem becomes more complicated and requires further examination first. The most common examination is a bone marrow examination to rule out other blood diseases before deciding on a treatment plan. 

Commonly used drugs for increasing white blood cells in clinical practice include: vitamin B4, leucocytes, shark liver alcohol, coenzyme A, etc., which generally have no side effects. Patients can choose it at their discretion under the guidance of a doctor. Leukopenia and neutropenia Leukopenia and neutropenia are a group of syndromes due to various etiologies. According to its clinical characteristics, it belongs to the category of "Qi deficiency" in traditional Chinese medicine.

[Clinical manifestations] 1. Leukocytopenia: generally there are non-specific symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, soreness of limbs, loss of appetite, low fever, insomnia, etc. A few are asymptomatic, while some patients suffer from recurrent oral ulcers, lung infections or urinary tract infections. 2. Granulocytosis: The onset is usually sudden, often with high fever, chills, headache, fatigue or extreme weakness. Sometimes necrotic ulcers may appear in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, skin, rectum, anus, vagina, etc. People who are allergic to the drug may also develop exfoliative dermatitis, and in severe cases, central nervous system symptoms may occur. Septicemia or sepsis often develops rapidly and leads to death.

The above introduces what causes low white blood cell count and also introduces in detail the treatment of leukocytopenia. I hope it can be of better help to you. When checking your blood, don’t be bothered by a certain value. In fact, some of them are normal. After a period of conditioning, they will return to normal. I hope you can have a good attitude, which will be very helpful for your body.