my wbc is 3.3

my wbc is 3.3

A low WBC count is called leukopenia. For instance, if my WBC is 3.3, it means I have leukopenia, which may be due to:

– 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 (6)

Remember that a white blood cell count can’t diagnose any of these conditions on its own. If my WBC is 3.3, doctors will probably suggest further tests to determine the cause.

* You can enter your lab test results online and get a personalized 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)

White blood cells (WBCs), also known as leukocytes, are a part of the immune system that plays a functional role in either innate or adaptive responses (1).

Checking the number of white blood cells in the blood is usually part of a complete blood cell (CBC) test. It may be used to look for conditions such as infection, inflammation, allergies, and leukemia (2). The normal ranges vary slightly among laboratories, but generally are:

· Newborn Infant                                          13–38 10 9 /L

· 2-week-old infant                                       5–20

· Adult                                                             4.5–11

· Pregnant female (third trimester)           5.8 -13.2  (3)

Abnormal results

Leukocytosis is defined as a white blood cell count greater than 11 ×109/L in nonpregnant adults. It’s commonly a sign of inflammatory response such as infection, but can also be the result of:

– Excessive physical or emotional stress

– Burns

– Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

– Thyroid problems

– Dental caries (cavities)

– Certain medicines, including lithium, corticosteroids, and beta-agonists

– Allergies

– Splenectomy

– Smoking

– Obesity

– Leukemia (less commonly)

– Lymphoma (less commonly)

– Bone marrow disorders (less commonly) (4,5)

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124200302000019
2. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/white-blood-cell
3. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/1201/p1004.html?_ga=2.235351745.1388295472.1577058547-660305364.1508107192#afp20151201p1004-t1
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31613564/
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17704-high-white-blood-cell-count
6. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-white-blood-cell-count/