Leukopenia, This Causes White Blood Cells Decreased

Leukopenia is a low number of white blood cells in the body. This can happen due to several factors. Check out the various conditions or diseases that cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells. Blood consists of platelets, blood plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells. Each component of the blood has its own function, one of which is white blood cells which are an important part of our immune system. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, work against foreign objects or organisms that enter the body by producing antibodies to fight infection. If leukopenia occurs, which is a condition in which the number of white blood cells is too low, then we will be susceptible to disease.

Conditions That Cause Low White Blood Cells

White blood cell examination is part of a complete blood test. Doctors usually ask for this examination to determine the diagnosis or evaluate certain conditions. Did you know that in one microliter of blood, there are normally 3,500-10,500 white blood cells? It is said leukopenia if the white blood cell count is less than 4,000. This situation indicates the existence of certain disorders or diseases in our body. Low white blood cell count or leukopenia is usually caused by:

• Infection, for example in sepsis, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis.
• Congenital abnormalities at birth that make the function of the bone marrow in producing blood cells reduced, such as in myelokathexis disease and Kostmann's Syndrome.
• Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells, such as lupus and arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis).
• Severe infections that make white blood cells go the extra mile.
• Certain medications, such as antibiotics that damage white blood cells, chemotherapy, penicillin, or corticosteroids.
• Leukopenia or low white blood cells can be caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12, folate, zinc, and copper.
• There are disorders or diseases related to blood cells or bone marrow, for example aplastic anemia, hypersplenism or overactive spleen, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myeloproliferative syndrome, and myelofibrosis.
• Blood cancer and bone marrow cancer. Namely cancer that grows in the bone marrow and makes blood cells not produced and develop normally.
• Spread or metastasis of cancer. Cancer cells can spread to other organs or tissues, including the bone marrow and affect its function. As a result, the bone marrow has difficulty producing the blood cells the body needs.
• Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy carried out on large bones that contain the most bone marrow, such as the pelvis, legs, and torso, makes leukopenia vulnerable.

Sarcoidosis, a systemic disease caused by an excessive immune response and characterized by the formation of granulomas or inflammation in several body systems. If granulomas form in the bone marrow, leukopenia can occur. Low white blood cells or leukopenia often occur without symptoms, but if you have a fever, chills, or there is a weight loss with no known cause, immediately see a doctor to get further tests.