White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are responsible for our body’s immune system. As part of the blood, white blood cells protect us from infections and diseases. Any decrease in the white blood cell count is known as leukopenia or neutropenia.

Low white blood cells can occur due to various reasons, including:.

1. Bone Marrow Problems

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue present inside the bones where blood cells are produced. Several diseases can affect the bone marrow, causing a decrease in the production of white blood cells. These include:.

A. Cancer

Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are types of cancer that affect bone marrow and decrease the production of white blood cells. These cancers cause abnormal white blood cells to form rapidly, replacing normal white blood cells.

B. Radiation and Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are commonly used cancer treatments that can unintentionally damage bone marrow cells. As a result, the production of white blood cells decreases.

C. Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a rare but severe blood disorder. It occurs when bone marrow doesn’t make enough blood cells, including white blood cells.

2. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases cause the body’s immune system to attack its tissues, including white blood cells. Some examples include:.

A. Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in multiple body organs. It has several symptoms, including a decrease in white blood cell count.

B. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in joints. However, sometimes it can affect the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in white blood cell counts.

3. Infections

A decrease in white blood cells can also occur due to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These infections can lead to neutropenia, a decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infections.

Some viral infections, hepatitis C, for instance, affect white blood cell production directly, while bacterial and fungal infections send white blood cells to attack the infection, thereby lowering the count in the blood.

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4. Nutritional Deficiency

Our body requires certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, folate, and copper, to produce white blood cells. A deficiency in these essential nutrients can cause reduced production of white blood cells.

5. Medications

Several medications can decrease the production of white blood cells. These include:.

A. Antibiotics

Antibiotics reduce the number of white blood cells in the body by killing the good and bad bacteria alike. A decreased white blood cell count can lead to higher chances of infection.

B. Antidepressants

Antidepressants suppress the activity of the immune system, decreasing the production of white blood cells.

C. Chemotherapy drugs

Chemotherapy drugs can damage the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in the production of white blood cells.

6. Congenital Diseases

Congenital diseases are those that exist from birth. Sometimes, they can lead to a decrease in white blood cell production. Examples include:.

A. Kostmann Syndrome

Kostmann syndrome, also known as severe congenital neutropenia, is a rare genetic condition where the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough white blood cells. This condition increases the chances of severe bacterial infections.

B. Fanconi Anemia

Fanconi anemia, another rare genetic disorder, can affect white blood cell production, causing low white blood cell counts.

The Bottom Line

A low white blood cell count can pose a severe risk to health, as it can make you more vulnerable to infections and diseases.

The best way to prevent a decrease in white blood cells is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, consume a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Regular health check-ups can help diagnose the underlying cause of the decrease in white blood cell count, enabling early treatment.