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What Causes Low WBC Count?
my daughter had a severe campylobacter infection 6 years ago. it took over 6 weeks to be diagnosed and she was hospitalized for significant weight loss and dehydration. since that time she has frequent spells of illness associated with central vertigo / vomiting / nausea. incapacitating sometimes weeks at a time. she is now 29 years old. she was told the infection had spread to her bloodstream and is affecting her cerebellum which is the reason for long term vertigo. is there any treatment ?? also she has low WBC consistently after this illness, even when feeling somewhat well. any suggestions ?
Tue, 9 Jan 2018
Hi
A low WBC count is usually discovered by your physician or health care provider during routine testing or through the course of diagnosis and treatment for an underlying disease, disorder or condition. A normal WBC count is approximately 4,500 to 10,000 WBCs per microliter of blood. A low WBC count is generally below 3,500 WBCs per microliter of blood, but this number varies depending on the medical laboratory, the particular test used, and the individual medical practice.
The significance of a low WBC count varies and may be more (or less) serious depending on your medical history, overall health, and the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Some people may naturally have a mildly low WBC count. The normal range of low to high WBC counts also varies by age and gender.
A low WBC count is often linked to problems with the bone marrow and the inability to make enough white blood cells. Autoimmune diseases that attack your white blood cells can also lead to a low WBC count. Several different prescribed drugs, including chemotherapy, are known to decrease WBC production or destroy WBCs.
A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection. If you have a low WBC count, you will probably be advised by your medical professional to avoid situations that expose you to infectious and contagious diseases. 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.
A low WBC count can be due to a variety of different conditions that either destroy WBCs or inhibit their production in the bone marrow. These include:
AIDS
Aplastic anemia (condition in which the bone marrow makes insufficient blood cells)
Bone marrow disease (myelodysplastic syndromes)
Chemotherapy
Leukemia
Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure)
Overactive spleen that destroys white blood cells
Radiation exposure
Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues)
Regards
DR DE
A low WBC count is usually discovered by your physician or health care provider during routine testing or through the course of diagnosis and treatment for an underlying disease, disorder or condition. A normal WBC count is approximately 4,500 to 10,000 WBCs per microliter of blood. A low WBC count is generally below 3,500 WBCs per microliter of blood, but this number varies depending on the medical laboratory, the particular test used, and the individual medical practice.
The significance of a low WBC count varies and may be more (or less) serious depending on your medical history, overall health, and the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Some people may naturally have a mildly low WBC count. The normal range of low to high WBC counts also varies by age and gender.
A low WBC count is often linked to problems with the bone marrow and the inability to make enough white blood cells. Autoimmune diseases that attack your white blood cells can also lead to a low WBC count. Several different prescribed drugs, including chemotherapy, are known to decrease WBC production or destroy WBCs.
A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection. If you have a low WBC count, you will probably be advised by your medical professional to avoid situations that expose you to infectious and contagious diseases. 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.
A low WBC count can be due to a variety of different conditions that either destroy WBCs or inhibit their production in the bone marrow. These include:
AIDS
Aplastic anemia (condition in which the bone marrow makes insufficient blood cells)
Bone marrow disease (myelodysplastic syndromes)
Chemotherapy
Leukemia
Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure)
Overactive spleen that destroys white blood cells
Radiation exposure
Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues)
Regards
DR DE
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