Low white blood cell count symptoms
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Symptoms of Low White Blood Cell Count
Low white blood cell (WBC) count, also known as leukopenia, can lead to a variety of symptoms due to the body's reduced ability to fight infections. This article synthesizes findings from multiple research studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the symptoms associated with low WBC count.
Common Symptoms of Low White Blood Cell Count
Increased Susceptibility to Infections
One of the primary symptoms of low WBC count is an increased susceptibility to infections. White blood cells are crucial for the immune system to function properly, and a deficiency can leave the body vulnerable to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Patients with low WBC counts often experience frequent infections, which can manifest as fever, chills, and other signs of systemic infection 6.
Fever and Chills
Fever is a common symptom associated with low WBC count. The body's response to infection often includes a rise in temperature as it attempts to fight off invading pathogens. Chills may accompany fever, indicating the body's struggle to maintain a stable internal environment in the face of infection 6.
Fatigue and Weakness
Fatigue and general weakness are also commonly reported symptoms. The body's constant battle against infections can drain energy, leading to persistent tiredness and a lack of vitality. This is particularly evident in patients undergoing treatments that affect WBC counts, such as chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation 35.
Low-Grade Fevers
Patients with low WBC counts may experience low-grade fevers, which are indicative of chronic, low-grade inflammation. This is often seen in conditions like schizophrenia, where alterations in blood inflammatory markers, including cytokines, are observed 14.
Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss can occur in individuals with low WBC counts. This symptom is often a result of the body's increased metabolic demands as it fights off infections and deals with chronic inflammation 3.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms that may be associated with low WBC count include:
- Anemia: Low WBC count can sometimes be accompanied by anemia, leading to symptoms like pale skin and difficulty staying warm 6.
- Low Platelet Count: This can result in easy bruising and bleeding, as platelets are essential for blood clotting 3.
Conclusion
Low white blood cell count can lead to a range of symptoms primarily related to the body's impaired ability to fight infections. Common symptoms include increased susceptibility to infections, fever, chills, fatigue, weakness, low-grade fevers, and weight loss. Monitoring and managing WBC counts are crucial for preventing severe complications and maintaining overall health.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Meta‐analysis of total and differential white blood cell counts in schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is associated with increased total white blood cell count, indicating low-grade inflammation in the brain.
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Highly CitedLarge-Scale Exome-wide Association Analysis Identifies Loci for White Blood Cell Traits and Pleiotropy with Immune-Mediated Diseases.
16 common genetic variants are associated with white blood cell traits and autoimmune diseases, suggesting a shared genetic architecture with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Rigorous JournalGermline Genetic Predisposition to Myeloid Neoplasia From GATA2 Gene Mutations: Lessons Learned From Two Cases.
virus (EBV) infection, manifested by leukopenia, anemia, weight loss, low-grade fevers, and fatigue. Her blood counts showed a white blood cell count of 2.9 × 10 9 /L, with 75% neutrophils, 21% lymphocytes, 1% monocytes, hemoglo-bin of 10.1 g/dL, and platelet count of 164 × 10 9 /L. Her past medical history was unremarkable, and her family history was negative for any immunologic or hematologic diseases.
Case ReportThe Role of Total White Blood Cell Count in Antipsychotic Treatment for Patients with Schizophrenia
Lower total white blood cell count in schizophrenia patients predicts better drug response and mediates the effects of certain metabolic measures on improving negative symptoms.
RCTApplication of Biomedical Image Processing in Blood Cell Counting using Hough Transform
The Hough Transform is a useful tool for analyzing blood cell counts in biomedicine, as it can detect abnormalities in blood cell distribution and help determine the need for blood cell growth factors.
Admixture mapping of white cell count: genetic locus responsible for lower white blood cell count in the Health ABC and Jackson Heart studies.
A genetic locus on chromosome 1q is strongly associated with lower white blood cell count in African Americans, explaining approximately 20% of population variation in white blood cell count.
Observational StudyHighly CitedLow white blood cell count is independently associated with chronic kidney disease progression in the elderly: the CKD-ROUTE study
Low white blood cell count is independently associated with chronic kidney disease progression in elderly patients.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalThe prevalence of abnormal leukocyte count, and its predisposing factors, in patients with sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia
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Observational StudyEvaluation of Patients with Leukocytosis.
Leukocytosis can be caused by various factors, including infections, stress, medications, asplenia, smoking, obesity, and chronic inflammation.
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