White blood cells are particles in blood that help in protecting the body from any disease or infection. These particles float freely in the bloodstream though they are secreted from the bone marrow. Count of WBC may vary from one person to another according to their age and size. Infants would have high WBC count and it also differs from men and women. Even healthy adults can have low WBC count without having any infection or disease.
Any readings lower than 4,000 WBC per one microliter of blood is regarded as low. Medical term for defining low white blood cell count is leucopenia. Having very low count of WBC can increase the risk of infection for the affected person. In addition to white blood cells, readings of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, basophils and lymphocytes may also reduce in number.
Consequences :
As a result of low level of WBC count in blood, the body’s immune system gets weakened making it susceptible to any infection and diseases. The body will not be able to fight off foreign invaders like before which can cause any diseases easily.
Causes :
Any deviation in the production of blood cells from the bone marrow can affect the normal range of blood cells. Certain types of viral infections in the bone marrow can considerably reduce the blood cell production. Weakened immunity or autoimmune disorders like AIDS, cancer or lupus, rheumatoid arthritis can slow down the rate of WBC production. Certain medical conditions like aplastic anemia, myelofibrosis, lupus, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, typhoid, malaria and other infectious diseases, and sepsis can reduce the count of white blood cells.
Taking antipsychotic drugs like clozapine, antidepressant medication like Wellbutrin, anticonvulsant drugs like lamotrigine and metronidazole can also affect the normal level of WBC. Immunosuppressant drugs like Leflunomide, sirolimus and TNF inhibitors can also cause leucopenia. Congenital disorders (inherited by birth) and any type of cancerous growth in the body can affect the normal range of WBC leading to very low white blood cell count.