Causes of low leukocytes and how to overcome them

White blood cells play an important role in your immune system. A leukocyte count that is too low can make you more susceptible to disease infections. A low number of leukocytes in the blood is called leukopenia. What causes you to be deficient in white blood cells? How to handle it? Check out the following reviews.

What is leukopenia?

Leukopenia is a condition when your white blood cell (leukocyte) count is low or decreasing. Generally, leukopenia is associated with a decrease in one type of white blood cell, namely neutrophils. Normally, white blood cells in adults amount to 4,500-11,000 / mcL.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, you are declared to have leukopenia if your white blood cell count is less than 4,000 / mcL. Some experts even state that the minimum limit is 4,500 / mcL of blood.

White blood cells help your body fight infection. When the leukocyte count is low, the body will automatically be more at risk of infection with the disease.

The characteristics of a deficiency in white blood cells are often not recognized because leukopenia generally does not cause significant symptoms. However, you need to see a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms, such as:

• Fever above 38ºC
• Cold
• Sweating

If you have any doubts, feel free to have your symptoms checked here. Some people are still declared healthy and fine even if the test results show their leukocytes are low or below the normal levels that have been mentioned.

What are the causes of low leukocytes?

Leukopenia will be known from a complete blood count. Usually, the results will show that your white blood cells are below normal, especially for the neutrophil type.

There are several causes of leukopenia that make you lack white blood cells, namely:

1. Disorders of blood cells and bone marrow

One of the causes of low leukocytes is a disorder of the blood cells and bone marrow. This is because white blood cells (and other blood cells) are made in the bone marrow.

A drug, disease, or viral infection that interferes with blood cells and bone marrow will also reduce the white blood cell count even below normal limits.

Some disorders of the blood cells and bone marrow that can make you deficient in white blood cells and develop leukopenia are:

• Aplastic anemia
• Myelofibrosis
• Hypersplenism
• Pre-leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome

2. Cancer or is undergoing cancer treatment

Apart from disorders of the blood cells and bone marrow, another cause of low leukocytes is cancer or is undergoing treatment.

Cancer-related causes of leukopenia include:

• Chemotherapy
  Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that can cause low leukocytes. This is because certain chemotherapy drugs can damage the bone marrow which produces white blood cells.
• Radiation therapy
  Radiation therapy can also cause conditions similar to chemotherapy. If you are receiving radiation therapy in the areas of the bone marrow that are most abundant, such as the pelvis, legs, and chest, it is likely that your white blood cell count will decrease.
• Blood (leukemia) and bone marrow cancer
  Diseases such as leukemia will affect the formation of white blood cells. This condition can also cause your leukocyte levels to be low.
• Cancer that has spread (metastasized)
  Cancer cells that spread to the bone marrow can interfere with the production of blood cells, including leukocytes. As a result, you experience leukopenia.

3. Infected with certain diseases

Low leukocytes can also be caused by certain infections. As long as the infection is still ongoing, the production of white blood cells will decrease, especially neutrophils.

Some diseases that cause low white blood cells include:

• Dengue fever
• Tuberculosis
• HIV infection

4. Lack of nutrition

Lack of nutrition can also be a cause of low leukocytes. Usually, leukopenia occurs because the body's need for certain nutrients and vitamins is not fulfilled

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate, for example, can affect the number of white blood cells in your body.

Vitamin B12 and folate play an important role in the formation of leukocytes. That is why, deficiency of these two nutrients is at risk of making your leukocytes low. Not only vitamin B12 and folate, copper and zinc deficiencies can also cause your white blood cells to decrease.

How to deal with low leukocytes?

How to treat and treat leukopenia really depends on the cause of your white blood cells to decrease. However, there are several medications your doctor may recommend to increase your white blood cells, such as:

• Stop disease treatment that causes a decrease in white blood cells, such as certain drugs, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
• Growth factor therapy, namely the treatment of bone marrow which can stimulate the formation of white blood cells.
• Low bacteria diet, namely a diet that avoids the possibility of bacteria in food, such as avoiding undercooked foods, raw foods, or unwashed vegetables and fruits.
• Drugs, that is, a therapy that helps the body make more blood cells or fight infections that cause the white blood cell count to drop below normal levels.
• Avoid injury can lower your risk of developing leukopenia. The reason is, a low white blood cell count can make a small wound become a serious infection.

A low white blood cell count can lead to serious complications. If you are undergoing treatment (such as chemotherapy) or have certain conditions, your doctor may monitor your blood cell count to prevent the risk of complications. Your doctor may ask you to do a complete blood count to be sure.

The most serious complication that can arise from untreated leukopenia is infection. This is because a low number of leukocytes, particularly neutrophils, makes it difficult for your body to fight infection.

Even so, under normal circumstances, you can keep your white blood cell count in normal levels by eating a healthy diet.