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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffA low white blood cell count usually is caused by one of the following:
- Viral infections that disrupt bone marrow function
- Congenital disorders characterized by diminished bone marrow function
- Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow
- Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells
- Overwhelming infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced
- Drugs that destroy white blood cells or damage bone marrow
Specific causes of low white blood cell count include:
- Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions
- Aplastic anemia
- Drugs, such as antibiotics, diuretics and prednisone
- HIV/AIDS
- Histoplasmosis
- Hypersplenism, a premature destruction of blood cells by the spleen
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Infectious diseases
- Kostmann's syndrome, a congenital disorder involving low neutrophil production
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Myelofibrosis
- Myelokathexis, a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Other congenital disorders
- Parasitic diseases
- Radiation therapy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Vitamin deficiencies
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
