What causes a dramatic drop in white blood cells?
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
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17 comments:
From: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/low-white-blood-cell-count.html
ome of the causes of leukopenia are aplastic anemia, chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, liver diseases, spleen diseases, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals such as zinc and copper, and autoimmune diseases. Certain infections such as viral infections can cause low white blood cell count. Some of the medications including chemotherapy drugs, some of the antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs also lead to leukopenia. Certain bone marrow diseases such as myelodysplastic syndrome or leukemia reduce the white blood cell count. Sometimes, the exact cause of leukopenia is not known, it is referred to as idiopathic.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukopenia
Low white cell counts are associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, leukemia (as malignant cells overwhelm the bone marrow), myelofibrosis and aplastic anemia (failure of white and red cell creation, along with poor platelet production). In addition, many common medications can cause leukopenia (see below). HIV and AIDS are also a threat to white cells.
Other causes of low white blood cell count include: Influenza, systemic lupus erythematosus, Hodgkin's lymphoma, some types of cancer, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, Rickettsial infections, enlargement of the spleen, folate deficiencies, psittacosis and sepsis. Many other causes exist, such as a deficiency in certain minerals such as copper and zinc.
Pseudoleukopenia can develop upon the onset of infection. The leukocytes (predominately neutrophils, responding to injury first) are marginalized in the blood vessels so that they can scan for the site of infection. This means that even though there is increased WBC production, it will appear as though it is low from a blood sample, since the blood sample is of core blood and does not include the marginalized leukocytes.
[edit] Medications causing leukopenia
Some medications can have an impact on the number and function of white blood cells. Medications which can cause leukopenia include clozapine, an antipsychotic medication with a rare adverse effect leading to the total absence of all granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils). Other medications include immunosuppressive drugs, such as sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine. Interferons used to treat multiple sclerosis, like Rebif, Avonex, and Betaseron, can also cause leukopenia. The antidepressant and smoking addiction treatment drug Wellbutrin (Bupropion HCL) can also cause leukopenia with long-term use. Minocycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, is another drug known to cause leukopenia.
There are also reports of leukopenia caused by Depakote (divalproex sodium or valproic acid), a drug used for epilepsy (seizures), mania (with bipolar disorder) and migraine. Increased white blood cell count may be present in cases of arsenic toxicity[1].
The anticonvulsant drug, Lamotrigine, has been associated with a decrease in white blood cell count.[2]
Radiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukopenia
and
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/low-white-blood-cell-count.html
Tried to post some info, but Google rejected it as "too big"
Assuming this is not a joke, the info is at the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-white-blood-cell-count/MY00162/DSECTION=causes
Here's some info: http://www.caring.com/articles/low-white-blood-cell-count
Either significant infection with overwhelming use of the WBC's or acute bone marrow failure which may indicate a viral infection or some process infiltrating the marrow space. This can be evaluated by looking at the CBC including a reticulocyte count which tells if the bone marrow is not producing RBC's
Good luck
lymph node cancer and AIDS, to name the most serious causes.
The first thing that I think of is Leukemia. After that overwhelming infection as it progresses. HIV, Chronic disease.
Leukemia first however.
Ok we can cancel out AIDS/HIV am having new blood tests on monday. Could have something to do with my diet being based on Guiness and Marlboro lights and the fact that mt thyriod is screwed. Thanks for all the comments.
medications can cause it too
Being dead?
I'll get me coat...
TTFN :)
Too much sex with the Bedtime Totties?
Have you drunk so much Guinness that you've forgotten to have an amputation tied off properly? Whatever it is, may I wish you a speedy recovery.
Not leukemia. The primary symptom of leukemia is an enormous _increase_ in white blood cells.
Other than that, I have nothing to add to the above comments and links.
Interesting. I have a low WBC too. Saw a hemotologist/cancer spec. He ask me if I drank. I do, a glass of wine a night. He said that could be the cause. Other indicators did not show up for cancer, at least he did not seem to be worried.
The very best of luck to you.
Dengue will do it too, if you have a blinding headache at the same time...
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