White blood cells are designed to combat infectious infections of bacterial, fungal or viral origin. Therefore, anxiety usually causes an increase in their concentration, indicating the development of the inflammatory process. Less common is the situation when leukocytes in the blood are lowered. In medicine, this pathology is called leukopenia, it refers to quite dangerous symptoms that can signal various abnormalities of the hemopoietic system.
What are the causes if leukocytes in blood are lowered?
The most common factor provoking the described feature is the lack of components necessary to produce the right amount of white blood cells.
Reduced white blood cell count may be caused by a deficit:
- folic acid;
- copper;
- vitamins B1 and B12;
- gland;
- hemoglobin.
It is worth noting that the shortage of these substances is not necessarily associated with serious diseases or disorders of metabolic processes. More often it is observed with errors in nutrition, observance of a very strict diet or fasting. In addition, a lack of iron and low hemoglobin, usually accompany pregnancy.
Another non-dangerous reason for the reduction in the concentration of leukocytes in a biological fluid is the uncontrolled, prolonged intake or abuse of medicines. This is especially true for such drugs:
1. Antibacterial:
- synthomycins;
- Levomycetin;
- sulfonamides.
2. Anti-inflammatory:
- Analgin;
- Butadione;
- Amidopyrine;
- Pirabutol.
3. Hormonal:
- Mercazolyl;
- potassium perchlorate;
- Propitsil.
4. Antineoplastic:
- cyclophosphanes;
- methotrexate;
- cytostatics.
5. Antiviral:
Interferon; Cycloferon.
In rare cases, a decrease in the level of white blood cells is a response to stress, experience.
What diseases are indicated by a low number of white blood cells in the blood?
Most often, leukopenia indicates the development of the following acute and chronic diseases:
- neoplastic leukemia of the 1st stage;
- enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly);
- measles;
- Anemia, accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin B12;
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- exposure to ionizing radiation;
- tuberculosis;
- viral immunodeficiency;
- typhoid fever;
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- oncological tumors with metastases;
- severe forms of hepatitis;
- intoxication;
- aplastic and hypoplastic bone marrow pathologies;
- malaria;
- influenza with complications;
- rubella .
Independently to find out, why concentration of white bodies has decreased, it is impossible, accordingly, it is necessary to consult with the doctor and to pass or take place full inspection of an organism.
What if the level of white blood cells is lowered in the general blood test?
In most situations, it is enough to correct the diet and restore the balance of vitamins and microelements in the body to eliminate leukopenia. By the way, the normal content of leukocytes is from 4 to 9 billion cells per 1 liter of blood.
Drug therapy is designed to provide the bone marrow with conditions suitable for the proper functioning and production of white blood cells. Appointed such complexes as:
- Leukogen;
- Pentoxyl;
- Methyluracil;
- sodium nucleic acid;
- Let's wear it;
- Sagratostim;
- Filgrastim;
- Batilol.
It is important to note that these drugs are effective only in mild and moderate leukopenia. For the therapy of severe forms of this pathology, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of the development of the disease, after which to eliminate it, if possible.