What is Leukopenia?
Leukopenia is a disorder in which a person has a reduced number of white blood cells which causes an increased risk of infections as a result.
White blood cells are the blood cells in the body that fight against disease.
What are the symptoms of Leukopenia?
Leukopenia normally indicates an underlying medical condition. However, the common symptoms of low white blood cell count or leukopenia may include:
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Causes of Leukopenia
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Unintended Weight Loss
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Sweating
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Headaches
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Body aches
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Hot-flashes
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Fatigue
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Muscle pain
Leukopenia can also be found together with low platelets or liver disorders.
Causes of Leukopenia
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Bone Marrow Disease, Damage, or Suppression: When there is damage to the bone marrow, less red and white blood cells are produced, which then leads to anemia and leukopenia.
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Congenital Disorders present from birth
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Viral Infections that affect and disrupt bone marrow
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Cancer and complications of cancer
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Hypersplenism: A condition in which the spleen becomes overactive and starts removing blood cells
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Overwhelming Infections such as Sepsis, HIV, AIDS, and Tuberculosis
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Drugs: Medications such as clozapine, lamotrigine, sodium valproate, interferons, sirolimus, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, minocycline, penicillin, and antibiotics that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow.
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Malnutrition caused by deficiencies in Vitamin B12, Folate, Zinc, and Copper
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Autoimmune Disorders that kill white blood cells
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Other Infections:
Parasitic
infections
Typhoid fever
Influenza (flu)
Dengue
Malaria
Tuberculosis
Rickettsial infections
Deficiency of minerals such as copper and zinc
Q & A
A: Yes, because your body has less white blood cells to fight off infections, you are more vulnerable to infections if you have leukopenia.
A: Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside some of your bones and contains stem cells that develop into your bodies red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. If the bone marrow is affected by a condition, it can cause less or excessive blood cells to be produced.
A: The spleen is an organ behind your stomach and part of the lymphatic system which helps fight infection. The spleen acts as a blood filter for old or damaged red blood cells, as well as detecting any virus or bacteria in the blood.
How is Leukopenia treated?
Treatment for Leukopenia is directed at alleviating symptoms and targeting the infection and treating them at the earliest. Treatment for leukopenia is usually palliative.
If cancer is the cause of the Leukopenia then chemotherapy may be done to treat the cancer that is causing it.
Vitamins and Steroids may be given to patients to try to increase the white blood cell count, because they stimulate the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells and treat Leukopenia.
May involve the pausing of the medications and treatments that are causing leukopenia.
Contact our office today if you believe you may be at risk and/or are experiencing some of the symptoms listed above. Our team of doctors will determine the course of treatment that is best suited for you.