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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffA 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
Specific causes of low white blood cell count include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics and diuretics
- Chemotherapy
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypersplenism, a premature destruction of blood cells by the spleen
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Infectious diseases
- Kostmann's syndrome, a congenital disorder involving low neutrophil production
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Myelofibrosis
- Myelokathexis, a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Other congenital disorders
- Parasitic diseases
- Radiation therapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Vitamin deficiencies
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Laboratory reference values. Leukocytes. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
- Blood studies; hematology and coagulation. In: Fischbach FT, et al. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009. http://ovidsp.ovid.com/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&NEWS=N&PAGE=booktext&D=books&AN=00140036/7th_Edition/11&XPATH=/OVIDBOOK%5B1%5D/METADATA%5B1%5D/TBY%5B1%5D/EDITORS%5B1%5D. Accessed July 12, 2010.
- Hutchison RE, et al. Leukocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, et al. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Company; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/209419348-6/0/1393/0.html. Accessed July 12, 2010.
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