When the peripheral blood leukocyte count is consistently below 4.0 x 109/L, it is called leukopenia.
There are many causes of leukopenia, including excessive depletion of leukocytes at the site of inflammation due to certain viral infections or sepsis, or the presence of autoimmune system diseases such as hypersplenism, certain hepatitis or dry syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus, which can destroy leukocytes in the body and cause a decrease in their number. Certain diseases that affect human hematopoietic stem cells, such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other neoplastic diseases can affect the production and maturation of white blood cells, resulting in a decrease in white blood cells. In addition, when the body is exposed to chemical toxins, ionizing radiation and certain drugs, it can also damage the hematopoietic environment and inhibit leukocyte production.
The risk of leukopenia is related to the degree of leukopenia, which can be classified as mild ≥1.0×109/L, moderate (0.5-1.0)×109/L, or severe <0.5×109/L. Patients with mild leukopenia may not have specific clinical symptoms, or may only have mild discomfort such as hypothermia and malaise. Moderate and severe decreases are prone to infections and non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness and loss of appetite. As we can see, there are various causes of low white blood cells, and the danger to the human body is related to the degree of leukocyte reduction. When the blood test indicates that the number of white blood cells is consistently lower than normal, you should promptly consult a doctor, improve the system, formal examination and laboratory tests, and make a clear diagnosis and accurate treatment