A low white blood cell count in adults is less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood . A low white blood cell count can be an indicator of certain conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vitamin deficiencies, or a side effect of cancer treatment.
What is a dangerously low white blood cell count?
As a result, the person is more likely to get sick from infections. In general, an adult who has fewer than 1,000 neutrophils in a microliter of blood has neutropenia. If the neutrophil count is very low, fewer than 500 neutrophils in a microliter of blood , it is called severe neutropenia.
Is 3.7 a low white blood count?
Generally, though, a normal white blood cell count is 4,000-11,000 per microliter of blood. This is usually reported as 4.0-11.0 thousands/μL.
What causes abnormally low white blood cell count?
A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow . Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
What is an alarming white blood cell count?
In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
Should I worry if my white blood count is low?
A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection. Seek prompt medical care if you have a low WBC count and have signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.
Is low white blood count serious?
The main risk of an abnormally low white blood cell count is how vulnerable it may make a person to infection . Without an adequate white blood cell response available to fight infection, the body is at greater risk that any infection (including those usually regarded as minor) may cause serious illness or death.
Can stress cause low white cell count?
In addition, stress decreases the body’s lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off infection. The lower your lymphocyte level, the more at risk you are for viruses, including the common cold and cold sores.
Is 3.3 WBC too low?
Generally, a count lower than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count.
What vitamin deficiency can cause low white blood count?
- vitamin B-12.
- folate.
- copper.
- zinc.
How do you raise a low white blood cell count?
While no specific foods or diet changes are proven to increase production of white blood cells, if you have low WBC (leukopenia), it is very important to practice good hygiene, hand-washing, and food safety practices . Neutrophils are the cells that fight bacterial infection.
What cancers cause low WBC?
Low white blood cell count.
Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow can also lower the count. These types of cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma .
Does low white blood cell count mean leukemia?
CLL is a cancer of B lymphocytes , which usually work to help fight infections. People with CLL may also have a high or low white blood cell count. Because their bone marrow is producing too many abnormal white blood cells, they don’t have enough normal cells.
What happens if your white blood cells are low?
White blood cells are produced by your bone marrow to help your body fight infection. If you have fewer than normal white blood cells, you have a higher risk of getting an infection. When you have a low white blood cell count, your immune system isn’t working as well as it should .
What does a white blood cell count of 30000 mean?
Leukocytes: critical low and high values
A WBC of less than 500 places the patient at risk for a fatal infection. A WBC over 30,000 indicates massive infection or a serious disease such as leukemia .
What is the minimum white blood cell count?
A normal white blood cell count is between 5,000 and 10,000 cells. A white blood cell count below 1,000 cells increases the risk of infection. In some cases, your child may be given a medicine, such as “G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor),” to help increase the number of white blood cells in the bone marrow.
