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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Tiredness, Weight Loss, Low WBC And Back Pain?

My 10 year old daughter has been acting very tired with no energy and unlike herself. She has had 3 cbc s drawn over the last 4 weeks and they all show that her wbc is low. (2.6,4.0,3.2) other than the low wbc everything else seems normal. The only complaint other than just being tired she has is her back hurts. The way she describes it is like it constantly feels it needs to pop She has lost 28 pounds over the last year, but I thought that was because she takes concerta for add and it makes her not as hungry. She was over weight to start with so the doctor doesnt see the weight loss as a concern. Her infectious disease dr said back in 2014 her wbc was on lower side but was 4.2 so he definatley thinks something is going on and we go back Tuesday. I am very concerned because my daughter has changed so much in the last month and half and it scares me. What can be causes for low wbc, weight loss, back pain and fatigue? I know they will be testing her for mono, but what are symptoms to look for if that could be the cause?
Wed, 2 Nov 2022
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Anesthesiologist 's  Response
Hello,

WBC count of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low. The following are few probable causes of low WBC, weight loss:
1) Cancer (caused by chemotherapy treatments)
2) Bone marrow disorders or damage
3) Autoimmune disorders (problems with the immune system in which the body attacks itself), such as lupus
4) Infections (including tuberculosis)
5) Immune system conditions
6) Crohn’s disease
7) Malnutrition
8) Radiation treatments for cancer
9) Rheumatoid arthritis
10) Vitamin deficiencies
11) Liver damage and / or enlarged spleen

To those patients who come to my clinic with similar symptoms, I recommend the following:
1) Peripheral blood smear examination
2) General physical examination and examination of spine as the kid has back pain
3) ESR
4) X-ray chest and X-ray spine to rule out tuberculosis
Treatment depends upon the cause of low WBC count and weight loss.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist
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What Causes Tiredness, Weight Loss, Low WBC And Back Pain?

Hello, WBC count of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low. The following are few probable causes of low WBC, weight loss: 1) Cancer (caused by chemotherapy treatments) 2) Bone marrow disorders or damage 3) Autoimmune disorders (problems with the immune system in which the body attacks itself), such as lupus 4) Infections (including tuberculosis) 5) Immune system conditions 6) Crohn’s disease 7) Malnutrition 8) Radiation treatments for cancer 9) Rheumatoid arthritis 10) Vitamin deficiencies 11) Liver damage and / or enlarged spleen To those patients who come to my clinic with similar symptoms, I recommend the following: 1) Peripheral blood smear examination 2) General physical examination and examination of spine as the kid has back pain 3) ESR 4) X-ray chest and X-ray spine to rule out tuberculosis Treatment depends upon the cause of low WBC count and weight loss. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pallavi M., Anesthesiologist