Leukopenia, a decrease in white blood cells, can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and infections. It can also lead to anemia, menorrhagia, stomatitis, and mental health issues. Symptoms can be mild or severe.
Leukopenia, a decrease in the total number of white blood cells in the body, is often the result of another disease or treatment such as chemotherapy, but it can also have symptoms of its own. Mild cases typically cause no problems and often go unnoticed, but as the number of white blood cells continues to drop, patients may begin to experience general unwell feelings such as fatigue and weakness, dizziness, or loss of appetite. As the condition worsens, the symptoms of leukopenia typically become more obvious, severe, and dangerous. Without enough white blood cells to fight them, infections tend to occur as well as other problems such as anemia, menorrhagia, and stomatitis.
The early symptoms of leukopenia are usually quite mild and fairly nonspecific. Very soon, there are often no signs of a problem. Once the condition progresses, patients may feel tired and weak, although they may also have trouble sleeping. They may feel dizzy or lightheaded or have headaches. Some people develop a low-grade fever with no obvious cause.
A further drop in white blood cells can start causing more significant problems. One of the most common symptoms of leukopenia is the occurrence of unusual or recurring infections. The mouth is often where this is first noticed, with canker sores, gingivitis and periodontitis frequently occurring. Lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia are also common, as are urinary tract infections. In rare cases, abscesses can develop in the liver caused by bacterial infections.
In addition to frequent infections, a number of other problems can also be symptoms of leukopenia. Some patients have a drop in red blood cells or hemoglobin and develop anemia. Others may develop thrombocytopenia, a condition in which the number of platelets in the blood drops abnormally. Women can experience extremely heavy periods with more bleeding than they are used to, a condition called menorrhagia. They may also have metrorrhagia, which is abnormal bleeding from the uterus unrelated to menstruation; this is typically an indication of a uterine infection.
Inflammation of the mucous membranes can be another symptom of leukopenia. This frequently affects the lining of the mouth, causing irritation to the gums, tongue or cheeks. It can also happen in the stomach, a condition called stomatitis.
Leukopenia can also affect a person’s mental state. Some patients become irritable and short-tempered. They may also show signs of neurasthenia, a condition characterized by a nervous breakdown.
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