Pancytopenia is marked by low counts of all three types of blood cells—red cells, white cells and platelets. This condition can be caused by
certain medications and by infections
. In some cases, it is caused by a cancer or precancerous condition.
What is the most common cause of low platelet count?
One of the most common causes of low platelets is
a condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
. You may hear it called by its old name, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Is low white blood count serious?
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.
What indicates if WBC is low?
A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should. A low number is sometimes called
leukopenia
.
Does leukemia cause low WBC?
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. As a result, they may experience frequent infections that don’t go away on their own.
Do low platelets make you feel tired?
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) definition and facts. Symptoms and signs of thrombocytopenia may include
fatigue
, bleeding, and others.
When should I be concerned about low platelet count?
Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of
internal bleeding
. Rarely, this condition may lead to bleeding in your brain. If you have a low platelet count and experience headaches or any neurological problems, tell your doctor right away.
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.
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
.
Is 3.7 a low white blood cell count?
A low white blood cell count is also sometimes called leukopenia (or leukocytopenia). White blood cell count varies from person to person. The normal range is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 white blood cells per microlitre of blood.
Anything below 4,000 is typically considered to be a low
white blood cell count.
Is 3.2 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.
Is 2.9 WBC too low?
If a person has too many—or too few—white blood cells in the body, it may mean that there is a disorder of some kind. A white blood cell count
of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low
.
What is low WBC called?
What is
neutropenia
? Neutropenia is defined as a lower than normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells).
What WBC count indicates leukemia?
At the time of diagnosis, patients can have very, very high white blood cell counts. Typically a healthy person has a white blood cell count of about 4,000-11,000. Patients with acute or even chronic leukemia may come in with a white blood cell count up into the
100,000-400,000 range
.
What are the signs of leukemia in adults?
- Fever or chills.
- Persistent fatigue, weakness.
- Frequent or severe infections.
- Losing weight without trying.
- Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.
- Easy bleeding or bruising.
- Recurrent nosebleeds.
- Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)
How low can platelets go before death?
When the platelet count drops
below 20,000
, the patient may have spontaneous bleeding that may result in death. Thrombocytopenia occurs due to platelet destruction or impaired platelet production.
