What does a low white blood cell count mean?
A low white blood cell count (medically known as "leukopenia") is when the number of white blood cells in the blood is below the normal range and may indicate an abnormal immune system function or underlying disease. The following is a detailed analysis of this issue.
1. Normal range of white blood cell count
| white blood cell type | Normal range (×10⁹/L) |
|---|---|
| total white blood cell count | 4.0-10.0 |
| neutrophils | 2.0-7.0 |
| Lymphocytes | 1.0-3.0 |
2. Reasons for low white blood cell count
1.Infectious diseases: Viral infections such as influenza and HIV may inhibit bone marrow hematopoietic function.
2.drug effects: Chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics (such as sulfonamides), or immunosuppressants may cause leukopenia.
3.autoimmune disease: For example, systemic lupus erythematosus attacks your own white blood cells.
4.blood system diseases: Leukemia, aplastic anemia, etc. directly destroy hematopoietic function.
5.nutritional deficiencies: Insufficient vitamin B12 or folic acid affects the production of white blood cells.
3. Common symptoms and risks
| Symptoms | Potential risks |
|---|---|
| Recurrent infections (mouth ulcers, pneumonia, etc.) | increased risk of sepsis |
| persistent fatigue | Immune function continues to decline |
| Fever of unknown origin | Hidden infection is possible |
4. Diagnosis and treatment suggestions
1.laboratory tests: It is necessary to combine blood routine and bone marrow puncture to further clarify the cause.
2.Treatment principles:
- Caused by infection: antiviral/antibacterial treatment
- Caused by drugs: adjust medication regimen
- Severe cases: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) injection
3.daily care: Strengthen nutrition, avoid raw and cold food, and reduce exposure in public places.
5. Recent relevant hot cases
1.White blood cells decrease after recovery from COVID-19: Some patients have persistently low white blood cells after recovery, which may be related to residual virus or immune disorders.
2.Side effects of new chemotherapy drugs: There are increasing reports of leukopenia caused by immunotherapy drugs such as PD-1 inhibitors.
6. Important matters needing attention
If the white blood cell count is found to be <2.0×10⁹/L, or is accompanied by high fever, bleeding and other symptoms, you need to seek medical treatment immediately. Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are at higher risk for leukopenia and should be monitored closely.
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