Low White Blood Cell Count

Mayo Clinic

A low white blood cell count, or leukopenia, is a decrease in disease-fighting cells (leukocytes) circulating in your blood.

The threshold for a low white blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. Some healthy people have white cell counts that are lower than what's considered normal. A count lower than 4,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood is generally considered a low white blood cell count. The threshold for a low white blood cell count in children varies with age and sex.

A 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:

1. Aplastic anemia
2. Certain medications, such as antibiotics and diuretics
3. Chemotherapy
4. HIV/AIDS
5. Hypersplenism, a premature destruction of blood cells by the spleen
6. Infectious diseases
7. Kostmann's syndrome, a congenital disorder involving low neutrophil production
8. Leukemia
9. Lupus
10. Malnutrition
11. Myelodysplastic syndromes
12. Myelokathexis, a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream
13. Other autoimmune disorders
14. Other congenital disorders
15. Parasitic diseases
16. Radiation therapy
17. Vitamin deficiencies

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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