The dangers of low white blood cell counts: How to protect yourself

What is a Low White Blood cell count?

Blood comprises different types of blood cells, from which there are three main types: Red, White, and Platelets.

Each must be a certain number in the blood to have a healthy body. White blood cells are in charge of keeping the body protected from all diseases and infections. Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Basophils, Monocytes, and Eosinophils are the various types of white blood cells. The Neutrophils are cells that act as your immune system’s first line of defence. They are made in the bone marrow and part of the body’s immune system.

A healthy white blood cell count is 5,000 – 10,000 white cells per microliter of blood for males and children and 3,500–11,000 white cells for females. When this number falls, specifically if you have fewer neutrophils than usual, leukopenia, commonly known as Low White Blood Cell count, sets in. Neutropenia is a form of leukopenia when the Neutrophils are lower than the normal count. 

Symptoms of Low White Blood Cell counts

Leukopenia often goes unnoticed until it gets aggravated because there are no actual symptoms. However, when you have a low white blood cell count, you are at an increased risk of infectious diseases. Which may cause the following symptoms:

• fever
• sweating
• chills
• toothache
• sore throat
• mouth ulcers that are difficult to heal
• tiredness
• rash
• diarrhea
• painful urination
• unusual vaginal discharge or itching
• puss in wounds

Causes of Low White Blood Cell count

Leukopenia may not only be caused by medical conditions; it might also be caused by undergoing specific medical treatments for an existing medical condition.

Leukopenia Caused by Medical Conditions

Conditions affecting the blood cells or the bone marrow: WBC originates from the bone marrow, and any conditions affecting it can cause leukopenia. Some diseases are aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative syndrome, and myelofibrosis.

Splenomegaly or enlarged spleen: The spleen filters the blood, removes waste products and produces white blood cells to fight infections. Conditions that affect the spleen or the blood that passes through it can lead it to become swollen and enlarged, causing leukopenia.

Viral, Bacterial and parasitic infections: Viral infections such as mononucleosis (mono), Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis, and HIV may escalate your White Blood Cell count, which results in leukopenia. Bacterial infections such as sepsis (a bloodstream infection) and tuberculosis might have a similar effect on the WBC count, resulting in the same.

Infectious and parasitic diseases: Malaria can rapidly reduce the WBC count, making the body susceptible to leukopenia. 

Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune disease contributes to leukopenia, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its white blood cells. Some autoimmune diseases are lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren’s syndrome. 

Malnutrition: Few vitamins and minerals like B12 and B9 play a crucial role in WBC formation. Low vitamin B6, copper, and zinc levels may also result in low WBC production. Chronic malnutrition and alcoholism can also result in these deficiencies, and so can cause leukopenia.

Leukopenia caused by Medical Treatments

Many types of Anti-epileptic agents like valproate, anti-psychotic medications like clozapine, and immuno-suppresive drugs like mycophenolate mofetil may cause leukopenia.

Interferons used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis may also lead to leukopenia.

Leukopenia is also seen as a side effect of Antidepressant and smoking addiction treatment medication called Bupropion.

Antibiotics like Minocycline and penicillin may also cause leukopenia.

Leukopenia is commonly observed in patients who opt for chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer; in addition to killing cancer cells, it also destroys healthy cells, including bone marrow. When bone marrow cells are damaged and die, the ability to produce any blood cells decreases, automatically causing white blood cells in the body to fall.

How to improve White Blood Cell counts at home?

Essential vitamins and minerals surge the production and vitality of white blood cells. So, it is vital to have a balanced and nutritious diet. However, some foods have been shown to gradually increase the count of white blood cells (depending on person to person). These are a few of the foods that can improve your white blood cells:

Omega-3 Fatty acids: The three main omega-3 fatty acid is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). On average, an adult’s daily consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids should be around 1.1 g-1.6 g. Omega-3 fatty acids can be seen in seafood, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans. 

Green tea: Green tea contains antioxidants that help the body fight infections. Green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanin, which helps increase T-cells.

Fruits and Vegetables: Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which helps produce white blood cells. Bell pepper, broccoli, ginger, garlic, papaya, turmeric, and spinach are other vegetables filled with nutrients that can help improve WBC counts.

Balanced Lifestyle: Adequate sleep, regular physical activity, stress reduction, and smoking termination are as crucial as having a healthy diet. 

Foods and Habits to Avoid to Increase White Blood Cells

• Avoid raw eggs, meat, poultry and fish. Anything raw or undercooked is a big no. 
• Avoid using wooden cutting pads.
• Avoid raw salads and unpasteurized honey and milk.
• Avoid canned food.  
• Avoid crowded spaces and sick people.

Medical Treatments to Increase White Blood Cells

• Medications to treat the underlying cause, like antiviral drugs and antibiotics, may be given.
• Leukopenia, which is caused by cancer treatment, chemotherapy may be temporarily delayed, improving the growth of white blood cells.
• Growth factors are drugs that influence the body to produce more blood cells, which include white blood cells.
• Filgrastim is a medication used to treat Neutropenia (Leukopenia). It boosts the body’s production of white blood cells, leading to better immunity.

Conclusion

Low White Blood Cell count or Leukopenia isn’t risky when caught early. It can be cured with proper and consistent treatment. It is essential to maintain a proper diet, regular physical activity and a stress-free routine to avoid Leukopenia, even though there might be other factors depending on each individual that might act as a catalyst in the cause. 

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