Leukopenia

Leukopenia is the medical term for low white blood cell count. In most cases it is due to low neutrophils and/or lymphocytes. Both of these cells types play roles in the body’s defense against infections. Infections, such as viral infections and HIV, autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, certain medications, (chemotherapy and some antibiotics), radiation therapy, and bone marrow diseases, such as leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, can lead to decreases in the neutrophils and/or lymphocytes.
 

Your doctor may refer you to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance so their specialist can diagnose the cause of your low white count and provide treatment to correct it or prevent infections. The diagnostic tests may include blood tests such as CBCs, blood cultures, and specialized tests like flow cytometry. A bone marrow biopsy may also be done is the cause is not apparent from the blood tests.