Low white blood cell count
A low white blood cell count is also known as leucopenia and typically found below 4,500/μL. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, and the proportion may become affected in autoimmune disease. They are eliminated in the spleen, and some environmental factors may also impair their production.
The most common causes of low white blood cell count are as follows:
- Bone marrow problems: Tumors or disease in the bone marrow may cause an alteration in the number of blood cells it produces.
- Certain drugs: Especially chemotherapy for cancer, but other drugs may also be involved. Some antibiotics and diuretics may cause a depletion of the bone marrow. Other drugs include anti-thyroid hormone drugs, captopril, medications to control seizures, and more.
- Liver and spleen problems: They cause a lower white blood cell count as the cells to become trapped and eliminated in the structure of the diseased spleen and liver.
- Radiation therapy: Typically used against cancer, it is a common cause of bone marrow depletion and low white blood cell count.
- Leukemia and other cancers: Cancers that affect the bone marrow directly or indirectly cause depletion of the stem cells and may result in low white blood cell count.
- Physical or emotional stress: An increase of cortisol during acute stress causes a depletion of the immune system and transient reduction of the white blood cell count.