Causes of low white blood cell count

Everyone is familiar with leukemia. It is mainly caused by a lack of white blood cells, which also leads people to attach great importance to white blood cells. If you go to the hospital for a check-up and find that the white blood cell count is low, everyone's reaction will definitely be panic. In fact, there are many reasons for low white blood cell count, and it is not necessarily leukemia. Don’t worry too much. Let’s take a look at the reasons for low white blood cell count.

There are not many leukemia patients, so there is no need to be so nervous. Low white blood cell count is not actually a serious illness, so there is no need to worry. You can look at the reasons for low white blood cell count and just pay attention to it. Don't make yourself nervous.

Colds can also cause low white blood cell count

The normal value of peripheral blood leukocytes is 4×10^9-10×10^9/liter. Any value below 4×10^9/liter is called leukocytopenia. Indeed, blood system diseases are common causes of leukopenia, such as aplastic anemia, myelofibrosis, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute leukemia, bone marrow hematopoietic stagnation, etc., which are characterized by the fact that in addition to leukopenia, there is often a simultaneous decrease in other blood cells, such as red blood cell decrease (anemia) and thrombocytopenia.

However, nonhematologic disorders are more common causes of leukopenia. First, severe infections, especially viral infections, can cause a transient decrease in white blood cells. Again, if the human body lacks folic acid or vitamin B12, it will also cause leukopenia. Finally, hypersplenism and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are also causes.

Anticancer drugs cause neutropenia

The inhibitory effect of anti-tumor drugs on the bone marrow is related to the half-life of blood cells. The half-life of red blood cells is 120 days, the half-life of platelets is 5 to 7 days, and the half-life of granulocytes is 6 to 8 hours. After chemotherapy, leukopenia often occurs first, followed by thrombocytopenia, with the former being more common and more severe than the latter. Chemotherapy does not usually cause severe anemia.

For any disease, the best time to treat is in the early stages, so we must detect and treat it in a timely manner. There are many reasons for low white blood cell count. You can learn more about it. If you find that your white blood cell count is low, you should go to the hospital for a check-up in time to find out the specific reason and how to treat it. Don't delay.