Leukopenia is a condition where the blood has a low amount of white blood cells, increasing the risk of infection. It can be caused by medications, diseases, and deficiencies. Treatment includes vitamins and steroids, but patients are at risk of infections and other diseases due to suppressed immunity. Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor for problems.
Leukopenia, also known as leukopenia or leukocytopenia, is when the blood has an abnormally low amount of white blood cells or leukocytes. It comes from the Greek words meaning “white” and “deficiency.” When there is a low amount of white blood cells in the blood, there is a higher risk of getting an infection.
When there is a low amount of platelets in the blood, it is referred to as thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia can be seen in cases of leukopenia and will need to be treated with steroids, vitamins, and immunosuppressants. However, having this condition does not always mean that a patient will also have thrombocytopenia.
Leukopenia can be caused by medications, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, diseases that reduce the immune system such as HIV, and even the flu. Other causes are deficiencies of minerals such as copper and zinc, sepsis and aplastic anemia. Medications that can typically lower white blood cells are antipsychotic drugs, immunosuppressant drugs, interferons, and some antidepressants.
Symptoms only begin to show when a severe case occurs; mild cases usually have no symptoms. They include anemia, pneumonia, liver abscess and inflammation of the mouth. There are also signs of headache, fever, craving for hot drinks and irritability. For women, their periods may last longer and be heavier, and they may suffer from hot flashes.
A diagnosis can be made with a simple blood draw. This blood test is called a complete blood count (CBC) and will measure the amount of white blood cells in your blood. This is typically the only way to know if someone has an abnormally low amount.
Treatment for leukopenia begins with vitamins and steroids. This will stimulate the marrow to produce more white blood cells. While suffering from leukopenia and undergoing treatments, the patient is at increased risk of infections, cancer and AIDS due to suppressed immunity.
While having a low white blood cell count is not in itself fatal, it can lead to death if the patient gets an infection that their body cannot fight off. A low white blood cell count can open the patient to being a host to various parasitic diseases. The body, while fatigued and its immune system compromised, is in a fragile state.
Having regular CBC tests as part of an annual physical exam is a good way to monitor for problems with your blood cell counts. This test can help you see problems before they get out of control and before additional conditions arise. CBC tests should be a standard part of any regular physical checkup.
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