We have all had blood tests. Sometimes the doctor asks us to do a `Full Blood Count (FBC)`. When we get that report, there are many values in front of each letter that we do not understand. If among these, `WBC` is `Low`, then we really get a little scared. What is this `WBC`? Why does it decrease? Is this something to be afraid of? If those questions are on your mind, let's talk about it simply and in a friendly way today.
First, let's see, what is leukopenia?
Simply put, Leukopenia is a condition where the number of white blood cells (Leukocytes) in your blood is lower than normal. Think of our body as a country. These white blood cells are the army in that country. It is this army that protects our body from external enemies (i.e. diseases) such as viruses and bacteria.
There are various forces in this army. Among them , the main and most important force is the neutrophils. Just like the Special Forces soldiers in an army. When an infection enters the body, the first thing that goes to fight it is the neutrophils. So, in the case of leukopenia, the main thing that happens is that the number of neutrophils decreases. What happens then? Our body's defense system weakens. The chances of getting easily infected with even a minor illness increase.
What is the normal white blood cell count?
A healthy adult usually has between 4,000 and 11,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. This number can vary slightly depending on age and gender. If your WBC count in your FBC report is less than 4,000, your doctor may diagnose you with a condition called leukopenia.
The question that scares many people: Is leukopenia a cancer?
No. To be honest, Leukopenia is not cancer. But there is a connection between the two. It is very important to understand that.
- Cancer treatments can cause leukopenia: Most cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy, kill the cells that divide rapidly in our body. Like cancer cells, blood cells (including white blood cells) that are produced in our bone marrow also divide very rapidly. So, chemotherapy can kill these good cells along with the cancer cells. That is why the number of white blood cells decreases and leukopenia occurs.
- Leukemia can cause leukopenia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. What happens here is that a large number of abnormal, useless white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. As these abnormal cells increase, the space for healthy white blood cells to be produced is lost. As a result, the number of healthy white blood cells decreases, causing leukopenia.
Simply remember: leukopenia does not lead to leukemia, but leukopenia can be seen as a symptom of leukemia.
What are the causes of low white blood cells?
There are several reasons why leukopenia can occur. Some are temporary, while others require long-term treatment. Let's take a look at the main causes.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Bone Marrow Related Diseases | The bone marrow is the factory that makes our blood cells. If this factory is damaged, blood cell production decreases. For example, diseases like Aplastic Anemia and Multiple Myeloma occur. |
| Autoimmune Diseases | This is when our body's immune system goes wrong and attacks our own healthy cells. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of such diseases. |
| Infections | Some serious viral infections, especially those like HIV , directly attack and destroy our white blood cells. Diseases like dengue and typhoid can also cause a temporary decrease in white blood cells. |
| Cancer treatment | As mentioned earlier , chemotherapy and radiation therapy can damage the bone marrow and reduce white blood cell production. |
| Some medications | Some antibiotics and medications taken for other diseases can also cause a decrease in white blood cells. |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12, folate, and copper, can affect white blood cell production. |
What are the symptoms of leukopenia?
Here's something very important. There are no specific symptoms associated with leukopenia. That is, you don't feel that your white blood cells are low. But, what happens when your white blood cells are low? Your risk of getting infections increases significantly. So, the symptoms you experience are the symptoms of the infections that occur.
If your white blood cell count is low, you should be very careful about these signs of infection:
- Frequent fever and chills
- Mouth sores or white or red patches inside the mouth
- Sore throat and severe cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Burning when urinating and foul-smelling urine
- Diarrhea
- Pus draining from skin wounds
- Abnormal vaginal discharge or itching in women
If you know you have leukopenia, don't ignore any of these minor symptoms. Even a mild fever can be the beginning of a serious infection. So see your doctor right away.
How does the doctor diagnose this? What is the treatment?
The main test to diagnose leukopenia is the Complete Blood Count (CBC) we talked about earlier. This will give you an accurate count of your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
If you have symptoms of an infection, your doctor may order further tests to find the cause.
- Urine tests: Check for a urinary tract infection.
- Chest X-ray: To rule out a lung infection such as pneumonia.
Treatment methods
Treatment for leukopenia depends on the underlying cause.
- Treatment for infections: Antibiotics are given if the cause is a bacterial infection. If it is a viral infection, appropriate medications are given.
- Growth Factors: These are special medications that stimulate the bone marrow and help it produce more white blood cells.
- Chemotherapy delay: If you are undergoing cancer treatment and your white blood cell count drops too low, your doctor may decide to temporarily stop your chemotherapy or reduce the dose. Treatment will be resumed when your white blood cell count returns to normal.
What should we do to protect ourselves from infections?
If you have leukopenia, your main goal should be to protect yourself from infections as much as possible. Incorporate these simple habits into your life.
Personal hygiene
- Wash your hands often: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Make it a habit to wash your hands frequently, such as after going out, before eating, and after using the bathroom. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap is not available.
- Do not share with others: Do not share items such as plates, cups, spoons, towels, razors, and toothbrushes with others.
- Protect your skin: Be careful not to get any cuts or scrapes on your skin. If you do, clean the wound immediately and apply medication. Tattoos and body piercings are not recommended during this time.
Environment and food
- Avoid crowded places: Stay away from people who have a fever or cold. Minimize your visits to crowded places like public transportation, movie theaters, and stores.
- Food Safety: Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating. Cook meat and fish thoroughly. Avoid eating raw meat, fish, and eggs completely.
- Gardening and pets: Wear gloves when working in the garden. Avoid picking up pet waste. If you must, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after you're done.
- Stay away from water bodies: Avoid swimming in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. These places can contain germs that can cause infections.
By following these instructions, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing an infection. Always follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Take-Home Message
- Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood. This reduces the body's immunity, that is, its ability to resist disease.
- This is not cancer, but it can be caused by cancer treatments and cancerous conditions such as leukemia.
- Leukopenia itself does not have any specific symptoms, but symptoms of infection such as frequent fever, mouth sores, and cough may occur.
- If you have leukopenia, it is essential to be very vigilant for signs of infection and take steps to protect yourself from them.
- If any signs of infection appear, do not self-treat and see your doctor immediately.
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