causes of low white blood cell count

 

What causes a low white blood cell count?

A low WBC count can be caused by a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions, as well as certain medications. In some cases a cause cannot be found.

A low white blood cell count usually is caused by one of the following:

• Viral infections that temporarily disrupt bone marrow function
• Congenital disorders characterized by diminished bone marrow function
• Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow
• Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells
• Overwhelming infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced
• Drugs that destroy white blood cells or damage bone marrow

Diseases and disorders that can cause a low white blood cell count

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)
• Viral infection that affects bone marrow function
• Vitamin deficiency
• Widespread infection that depletes white blood cells

Medications that can reduce the number of white blood cells

A low WBC count can also be caused by medications or medical treatments that you are receiving for an underlying disease, disorder or condition, such as:

• Antibiotics
• Anticonvulsants
• Antihistamines
• Antithyroid drugs
• Arsenic
• Barbiturates
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Diuretics (“water pills”)
• Radiation therapy
• Sulfonamides
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