What Causes a Decrease in White Blood Cells?

Although we usually refer to this group of cells with the catch-all terms white blood cells or leucocytes, they actually consist of different types, each of which is responsible for various functions in our body's defense mechanism.

Identifying what they do will prove important when it comes to determining which white blood cells have decreased exactly and the possible causes and consequences of this decline.

• Lymphocytes: produce antibodies and destroy abnormal cells.
• Monocytes: are responsible for phagocytosis, or the ingestion of certain organisms or cellular debris.
• Neutrophils: are the most abundant group, and like monocytes perform phagocytosis of organisms such as fungi and bacteria.
• Basophils: are the least abundant group, and are involved in immunity response processes to support the release of substances such as histamines or serotonin.
• Eosinophils: are responsible not only for phagocytosis but also for regulating allergic responses and hypersensitivity reactions that occur when a foreign organism enters the body.

White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and, as you have already seen, they play a vital role in the body. A normal white blood cell count is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 leucocytes per microlitre of blood.

If the count falls below 4,000, you should immediately seek specialist advice in order to determine the cause of the decline. The human body is prone to infections and bacteria if left without adequate levels of defense. Each type of leucocyte should be present in a certain number in order for the human body to function properly:

• The number of neutrophils should not fall below 1,000
• Lymphocytes should remain above 1,500
• The normal range for monocytes is between 200-600
• The normal range for basophils 0-300 per ml of blood.

A low eosinophil count may not produce any particularly worrying symptoms and so is not usually taken into consideration in the same way as the rest.

It should also be noted that an increase in white blood cells should also be monitored.

There are numerous reasons for decrease in leucocytes . It may be due to straightforward, relatively common illnesses, such as the flu, or to much more serious complaints. These include:

• Bacterial infections, influenza or diseases such as measles or malaria.
• Aplastic anemia.
• Lupus
• Liver failure.
• Leukemia: One of the most serious illnesses that causes a decrease in white blood cell count is leukemia. When the cancer affects the bone marrow, this greatly impacts the production of these blood cells.
• HIV/AIDS.

Chemotherapy treatments and the use of certain drugs can also affect leucocyte count.

If you have a blood test when you're suffering from a cold or infection, it's likely that your white blood cell count will be low. But although it may seem unnecessary, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor after receiving a blood test that shows abnormal values. Only a specialist can determine the cause of this decline in leucocytes and the appropriate treatment.

A low white blood cell count is a symptom that should always be taken seriously; it indicates that your health is at risk because the body is not able to defend itself against bacteria, fungi and foreign organisms.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What Causes a Decrease in White Blood Cells?, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

Tips

• If you discover your white blood cells are below standard after an analysis, you should visit a hematologist
• Don't be alarmed, the descent in white blood cells can be due to many factors, some don't have an impact on your health, that's why you should wait for your specialist's opinion.