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By Mayo Clinic staffA low white blood cell count is usually found when your doctor has ordered tests to help diagnose a condition you're already experiencing. It's rarely an unexpected finding or simply discovered by chance. Talk to your doctor about what these results mean. A low white blood cell count and along with results from other tests may already indicate the cause of your illness, or your doctor may suggest other tests to further assess your condition.
Because a chronic very low white blood cell count makes you vulnerable to infections, discuss precautions to avoid contracting contagious diseases with your doctor. You may be advised to wear a face mask and avoid anyone with a cold or other illness, and you may be reminded to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
- 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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