Blood generally consists of multiple types of blood cells, including white blood cells, also known as leukocytes. White blood cells are an essential component of the immune system, helping to fight diseases and infections. However, the problem starts when you have too few white blood cells, which is known as leukopenia in women. In the following lines, on the Dalili Medical website, we will review more details about the symptoms, causes, and methods of treating leukopenia.

**Types of white blood cell deficiency**

 

There are several types of leukopenia, which differ depending on the type of white blood cells whose number has decreased. These types include:

- **Basophils**

- **Eosinophilic or eosinophilic cells** (Eosinophils)

- **Lymphocytes**

- **Monocytes**

- **Neutral granulocytes or neutrophils** (Neutrophils)

**Diagnosis**

The doctor needs to perform a complete blood test (CBC) periodically. Blood is drawn from a vein, and the doctor analyzes the results of the following blood components:

1. **Red blood cells**: They act as a means of transporting oxygen throughout the body, and help organs and tissues get rid of waste. Low hemoglobin levels in these cells may lead to anemia, causing shortness of breath and feeling tired.

2. **Platelets**: Necessary for the blood clotting process.

3. **White blood cells**: A decrease in their number makes the body unable to confront infection.

**Symptoms of low white blood cells**

 

Abnormally low levels of white blood cells can increase the risk of infection. In some cases, the patient may not notice any symptoms if the decrease is moderate, but if the number is very low, the following symptoms may appear:

- Fever of 38°C or more

- goosebumps

- Sweating

- sore throat

- Cough or shortness of breath

- Redness or swelling in some areas of the body or feeling of pain

- Ulcers or white spots in the mouth

- Pain during urination and an unpleasant odor in the urine

- Muscle pain

- Loss of appetite

- A general feeling of malaise

- Fatigue

- Recurring infections that are difficult to treat

- Weakness

- Pain, redness, or swelling in the rectal area

Drainage, pus, redness, or swelling from a cut or sore

- Abnormal vaginal discharge or itching

**White blood cell functions**

 

White blood cells (WBCs) play a vital role in defending the body against infection and maintaining overall health, by:

- **Phagocytosis**: Neutrophils and monocytes engulf pathogens, digest them, and remove them.

- **Antibody production**: B cells produce antibodies that target and neutralize pathogens.

- **Cellular immunity**: T cells directly attack infected cells, preventing the spread of infection.

- **Inflammatory response**: White blood cells trigger inflammation, recruiting more immune cells to sites of infection to aid in healing.

- **Immune surveillance**: White blood cells constantly patrol to identify and respond to abnormalities such as cancer.

- **Allergic response**: Eosinophils fight parasites and contribute to allergies.

- **Histamine release**: Basal cells release histamine, causing inflammation and allergies.

**The difference between white blood cell deficiency and neutropenia**

 

Neutropenia refers to a decrease in a specific type of white blood cell, while leukopenia means an overall decrease in the number of white blood cells in the body regardless of their type.

Neutropenia is more common among individuals, and checking the neutrophil count is an important tool for evaluating general health, as it helps diagnose some diseases that lead to a lack of white blood cells, such as leukemia.

**What is white blood cell deficiency?**

 

Leukopenia is a condition characterized by a low number of white blood cells in the body, which increases the risk of infections and diseases.

Blood is made up of different types of cells, and white blood cells are an essential part of the immune system, playing a key role in fighting disease and infection. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.

The normal number of white blood cells ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 white blood cells per microliter in males and children, and from 3,500 to 11,000 white blood cells per microliter in females. In general, an individual is considered to have leukopenia if their cell count is less than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter.

**Is high white blood cell count dangerous?**

 

A high white blood cell count is also known as "leukocytosis." Although white blood cells are important in the immune response, they typically represent only about 0.2% of total blood cells. If their number exceeds the normal range, this may indicate a range of health problems such as infections, blood disorders, or bone marrow problems. The normal number of white blood cells in adults is between 4,500 and 11,000 cells per microliter, while the number is much higher in newborns, reaching 38,000 cells per microliter, and then decreases as the child grows.

The number of white blood cells usually increases when faced with an infection, but there are other conditions that may cause it to increase. For adults, a white blood cell count above 11,000 cells per microliter is considered abnormal.

**Treatment of high white blood cells**

 

Medical treatments and medications used to treat the main cause of high white blood cells contribute to alleviating the annoying symptoms that the patient suffers from as a result of the increased number of white blood cells.

Treating high mononucleosis in children and adults requires some time for white cell levels to returnto normal levels. Treatment options include:

- **Antihistamines**: They are used to reduce the symptoms of inflammation associated with infection.

- **Cold medications**: The doctor prescribes cold medications to treat high white blood cells if the infection is in the upper respiratory tract, which helps relieve sore throat, runny nose, and congestion.

- **Asthma inhalers**.

- **Paracetamol**: Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen are used to relieve symptoms of chills, fever, swelling, and pain associated with high white blood cells.

- **Corticosteroids**: They are given based on the doctor’s prescription to reduce severe inflammation.

- **Antibiotics**: They are used to eliminate bacterial infections, and they are one of the most important methods of treating high white blood cells in children and adults.

- **Tranquilizers**: The doctor may prescribe sedatives and anti-anxiety agents if stress and body stress are the cause of the increase in white blood cells.

- **Changing medications or adjusting doses**: If the medications used are the cause of high white blood cells.

- **Specialized treatments**: The patient receives treatments appropriate to his medical condition, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplantation in cases of cancer, or blood separation techniques (leukapheresis), as well as in cases of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

- **Intravenous treatments**: The doctor prescribes intravenous solutions and fluids in case of hyperviscosity, which helps quickly reduce the number of white blood cells and support blood flow.

**Treatment of white blood cell deficiency through nutrition**

1. Increase honey consumption, as it contains a high percentage of vitamins and nutrients necessary for a healthy body.

2. Eat leafy vegetables such as arugula, lettuce, radishes, molokhiya, and spinach.

3. Eat plenty of fish, red and white meat, as they contain abundant amounts of proteins that promote the production of white blood cells.

4. Increase milk consumption.

5. Eat nuts and legumes of all kinds.

6. Focus on foods rich in vitamin A.

7. Eat foods that contain folic acid.

8. Drink green tea, as it enhances the health of the immune system and protects the body from diseases.

**What are the causes of low white blood cells?**

 

Low white blood cells can indicate a health problem or disorder, and sometimes low white blood cell counts are a genetic condition that may or may not be worrisome. Low white blood cell counts are associated with a number of conditions, including:

- Some types of cancer such as leukemia.

- Chemotherapy.

- Radiation treatments for cancer.

- Bone marrow disorders or damage (chemicals such as benzene and pesticides, as well as some cancer treatments, can affect the ability of the bone marrow to produce white blood cells).

- Autoimmune disorders (where the immune system attacks the body itself, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis).

- Some infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, HIV, and typhoid fever).

- Crohn's disease.

- Malnutrition and deficiency of some vitamins and minerals (such as folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, and zinc).

- Liver diseases (such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure).

- Splenomegaly.

- Some medications (some antibiotics may destroy white blood cells, in addition to antipsychotic medications, hyperthyroidism medications, antihistamines, diuretics, and anticonvulsants).

- Drinking alcohol.

- Spread of infection that leads to significant depletion of white blood cells.

**What is the normal level of white blood cells?**

 

Normal white blood cell levels range as follows:

- Men: from 5,000 to 10,000 cells.

- Women: from 4,500 to 11,000 cells.

- Children: 5,000 to 10,000 cells.

In general, if your white blood cell counts are below these values, you may have leukopenia. In this case, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the cause of your low white blood cell levels. It is important to note that these numbers may vary depending on the laboratory where the test is performed, so it is always best to refer to the numbers on your test results report.

**Symptoms of low white blood cells in women**

 

In some cases, low white blood cell counts may not cause any obvious symptoms, but recurrent infections are the main symptom. Symptoms depend on the type of infection, and symptoms are similar between men and women. In general, signs of infection may include:

- High temperature.

- Chills and tremors.

- sore throat.

- Recurring mouth ulcers.

- Toothache.

- Skin rash.

- Feeling tired.

- Symptoms similar to influenza symptoms.

- Swelling and redness.

- Red or white spots in the mouth.

- Severe cough or shortness of breath.

- Pain when urinating or bad smell of urine.

- Diarrhea.

- Wounds or sores that ooze pus.

- Abnormal vaginal discharge or itching.

**Normal white blood cell count in women**

 

The normal range for white blood cells in women can vary based on age and race, and is usually between 4,500 and 11,000 white cells. A blood test can be done to determine their number.

**What are the indications of low white blood cells?**

 

Low white blood cells can be attributed to a variety of causes, including:

- **Medicines:** such as chemotherapy drugs.

- **Infections:** such as HIV, and many other viral infections, in addition to severe bacterial infections (sepsis).

- **Cancer in the bone marrow.**

 

- **Other bone marrow problems:** such as myelodysplastic disorders.

- **Radiotherapy:** which affects the brainEat the bones.

**Risks associated with low white blood cell count**

Low white blood cell counts, also known as leukopenia, can increase the risk of infections and other health problems as a result of the body's reduced ability to fight pathogens. The following are some of the risks associated with this decline:

1. **Increased exposure to infection:** White blood cells are essential for fighting infections. When their numbers are low, the body's ability to confront bacteria, viruses, and fungi decreases, which increases the possibility of infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.

2. **Delaying healing:** White blood cells play an important role in the healing process, including wound repair. As their number decreases, wounds may take longer to heal, increasing the risk of complications.

3. **Danger of sepsis:** Sepsis occurs when the body's response to an infection leads to widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction. Low white blood cell counts can increase the risk of sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body has difficulty mounting an effective immune response.

4. **Complications of medical treatments:** Low white blood cell counts may occur as a side effect of some treatments, such as chemotherapy, which increases the risk of infection and other complications during treatment.

5. **Susceptibility to opportunistic infections:** Individuals with low white blood cell counts are more susceptible to opportunistic infections caused by pathogens that do not normally affect people with healthy immune systems. These infections can be severe and difficult to treat.

6. **Fever of unknown origin (FUO):** A low white blood cell count may contribute to an unexplained fever, indicating an infection or underlying medical condition that requires further investigation and treatment.

7. **Possible blood disorders:** Sometimes, low white blood cell counts can be a sign of underlying blood disorders, such as aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, which can lead to complications such as anemia, bleeding disorders, and increased risk of Leukemia.

**How ​​to treat low white blood cells**

 

Treatment for leukopenia depends on the type of low white cells, the reason for the low, and whether an infection has developed as a result. Common treatment methods include:

1. **Treating the underlying causes**: If the lack of white blood cells is caused by a health condition such as lupus or sarcoidosis, the doctor will develop a treatment plan to treat this condition, which may help restore white blood cell levels to normal.

2. **Antimicrobials**: The doctor may prescribe medications to fight infections, whether they already exist or if there is a high risk of infection. These medications include antifungals, antibiotics, and antiviral medications, which can be given orally or intravenously depending on the patient's condition.

3. **Growth factors**: These are medications that stimulate the bone marrow to produce white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Different types of growth factors stimulate the production of certain types of blood cells.

4. **Stop some medications**: If the white blood cell count is very low, chemotherapy, radiation, or some other medications may be temporarily stopped. The doctor may prescribe new medications or reduce the dose to reduce their effect on the number of white blood cells, giving the body a chance to produce more of them. You should not stop any treatment without consulting your doctor.

**Treatment of white blood cell deficiency through nutrition**

 

1. **Foods rich in vitamin C and H**: Vitamin C is known for its ability to increase the number of white blood cells, while vitamin H enhances the production of natural killer cells.

2. **Garlic**: It enhances the immune system and stimulates the production of antibodies, which increases the number of white blood cells.

3. **Vegetables and fruits**: They are considered a rich source of vitamins that enhance the production of white blood cells, such as legumes, nuts, and dark vegetables.

4. **Green tea**: It is considered an antioxidant, which enhances the body’s immunity and fights infection.

5. **Honey**: It is considered an effective food for the bone marrow, which produces white blood cells, and it also treats many diseases.

6. **Foods rich in folic acid**: They contribute to increasing the number of neutral blood cells.

7. **Zinc**: It enhances the production of antibodies and can be found in red meat, beans, oysters, and turkey.

8. **Foods rich in protein**: such as eggs, dairy derivatives, and chicken.

**Vitamin E**: Important in the production of white blood cells that kill bacteria, and its most important sources are nuts, broccoli, and raspberries.

**Vitamin C**: It enhances the levels of white blood cells, and is found abundantly in citrus fruits.

**Vitamin A**: Sources include sweet potatoes, carrots, red peppers, and spinach.

**Zinc**: It plays an important role in fighting viruses and bacteria, and is considered an essential element in treating white blood cell deficiency through nutrition, and its most prominent sources are mushrooms and milk.

**Selenium**: It has a significant effect in increasing the levels of white blood cells and enhances the level of immunity.

**Omega 3**

Omega-3 is considered one of the essential elements for treating white blood cell deficiency through diet, as it plays an important role in increasing the levels of white blood cells in the body. Its most prominent sources are flax seed oil, in addition to fish and cod liver oil.

**Yogurt**

Milk is considered an important source of beneficial bacteria (probiotics), which contribute significantly to strengthening immunity. Milk also plays an effective role in Treating white blood cell deficiency through nutrition.

**Fish**

Fish, such as salmon, are considered one of the best options for increasing the number of white blood cells, as they contain large amounts of omega-3 that enhance the production of these cells.

**6 ways to increase the number of white blood cells**

 

To increase the number of white blood cells naturally, several strategies can be followed related to lifestyle and diet. Here are some tips and requirements:

 

1. **Adequate sleep**: Make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night to support immune function and white blood cell production.

 

2. **Balanced diet**: Follow a varied diet that includes immune-boosting foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Important nutrients for white blood cell production include:

 - **Vitamin C**: Found in citrus fruits, berries, sweet peppers, and leafy vegetables. It is recommended to take 75-90 mg daily.

 - **Vitamin E**: Found in nuts, seeds, spinach, and broccoli. It is recommended to take 15 mg daily.

 - **Zinc**: Found in oysters, lean meat, legumes, and seeds. It is recommended to take 8-11 mg daily.

 - **Selenium**: Found in Brazil nuts, seafood, and whole grains. It is recommended to take 55-70 micrograms daily.

 - **Iron**: Found in red meat, poultry, seafood, legumes, and leafy vegetables. It is recommended to consume the recommended daily amount according to gender and age.

3. **Regular exercise**: Do moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, as this helps stimulate blood circulation and enhance the activity of the immune system.

Stress management: Apply stress-relieving techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or indulging in hobbies you enjoy.

Herbal remedies: Some herbs and essential oils, such as lavender oil, may have immune-boosting properties. You can use lavender essential oil by diffusing it in the air or diluting it in a carrier oil and applying it to the skin. It is best to consult an aromatherapist or herbalist for precise advice on how to use and frequency.

Probiotics: Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, or consider taking probiotic supplements to support gut microbiome health and boost immune function.

It is important to note that although these actions may support overall health and immune function, they may not be enough to achieve significant increases in white blood cell counts. If you are experiencing persistent low white blood cell counts or have concerns about your immune health, you are advised to seek out a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate medical advice.