Is low white blood count serious?
A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection. Seek prompt medical care if you have a low WBC count and have signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.
What happens when white blood cells are too low?
The most serious complications of low blood cell counts include: Infection. With a low white blood cell count and, in particular, a low level of neutrophils, you’re at higher risk of developing an infection. And if you develop an infection when you have a low white blood cell count, your body can’t protect itself.
What are the symptoms of low white blood cell count?
If you have a low white blood cell count, you may:
- Have repeated fevers and infections.
- Get bladder infections that may make it painful to pass urine, or make you urinate more often.
- Get lung infections that cause coughing and difficulty breathing.
- Get mouth sores.
- Get sinus infections and a stuffy nose.
How do you treat low white blood cell count?
Common treatments include:
- Medications. Medications can be used to stimulate your body to make more blood cells.
- Stopping treatments that cause leukopenia. Sometimes you may need to stop a treatment like chemotherapy to give your body time to make more blood cells.
- Growth factors.
- Diet.
- At home.
How can I raise my white blood cell count?
Eating Vitamin C will help regulate the levels of white blood cells in your body. Fruits like lemons, oranges, and lime are rich in vitamin C, and so are papayas, berries, guavas, and pineapples. You can also get vitamin C from vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. Antioxidants.
What vitamin deficiency causes low white blood cells?
Reduction in the number of white blood cells and platelets also can occur, especially when people have had vitamin deficiency anemia for a long time. The blood levels of vitamin B12 and folate are measured, and other tests may be done to determine the cause of the vitamin B12 deficiency.
What vitamins should I take for low white blood cell count?
If your diet is poor, or you are having a lot of trouble eating during treatment, you may benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement with vitamin B12 and folate. The body needs these two vitamins to make white blood cells (7).
What foods build white blood cells?
Foods high in protein, such as lean meats and poultry, are high in zinc — a mineral that increases the production of white blood cells and T-cells, which fight infection. Other great sources of zinc are oysters, nuts, fortified cereal, and beans.
How do I boost my white blood cell count?
Poultry and Lean Meats. Foods high in protein, such as lean meats and poultry, are high in zinc — a mineral that increases the production of white blood cells and T-cells, which fight infection. Other great sources of zinc are oysters, nuts, fortified cereal, and beans.
What happens if you got low white cell count?
A truly low white blood cell count also puts you at higher risk for infections – typically bacterial infections. But viral infections also may be a concern. To help reduce your infection risk, your doctor may suggest you wear a face mask and avoid anyone with a cold or other illness.
What triggers low white blood count cells?
Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow
What are the side effects of low white blood cell count?
The most serious complications of low blood cell counts include: Infection. With a low white blood cell count and, in particular, a low level of neutrophils ( neutropenia ), a type of white blood cell that fights infection, you’re at higher risk of developing an infection. Anemia.
What constitutes a low white blood cell count?
The definition of low white blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. In general, for adults a count lower than 4,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count.
