My wbc is 3.0

My wbc is 3.0

Leukopenia is a term used to refer to lower numbers of white blood cells (less than 4 x 109/L) in the blood (3). For instance, if my wbc is 3.0, it means I have leukopenia, which can cause by:

– cancer treatment, like radiotherapy

– antipsychotic medicines

– medicine for an overactive thyroid

– some cancers, like leukemia

– infections, such as HIV or hepatitis

– autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis (4)

If there’s no obvious reason for your low WBC count, your doctor will probably want you to do the test again or do a differential test along with the CBC. This other test provides much more detail to help your doctor narrow down what’s going on (5).

If you think My wbc is 3.0 and what should I do? You can enter your lab test results online and get a personalized lab results interpretation, including your condition in each test, definition, reasons for increased or decreased results, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, potential treatments, drug interactions, etc.

white blood cells (WBCs)

The leukocytes or white blood cells (WBCs) are primarily responsible for defending the body against foreign materials or organisms and destroying the material. A complete blood count (CBC) is usually performed to check the white blood cell count (1). Its normal ranges vary slightly among different labs, but generally are:

· Newborn Infant                                                 13–38           10 9 /L

· 2-week-old infant                                              5–20             10 9 /L

· Adult                                                                    4.5–11          10 9 /L

· Pregnant female (third trimester)                  5.8 -13.2     10 9 /L   (2)

Managing Low WBC counts

Treating a low white blood cell count depends on what’s causing it and often includes antibiotics. Sometimes you may need to stop a treatment like chemotherapy to boost your white blood cells.

Note that leukopenia puts you at an increased risk of infection, so practice good personal hygiene, protect your skin, and maintain good general health (3).

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/leukocyte
2. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/1201/p1004.html?_ga=2.235351745.1388295472.1577058547-660305364.1508107192#afp20151201p1004-t1
3. https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/side-effects/low-white-blood-cell-count
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-white-blood-cell-count/
5. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/white-blood-cell-count-low