Low White Blood Cell Count

There are several reasons for a low white blood cell count. That number is only pertinent within a whole bunch of other information. Call the doctor and ask about this. We cannot help you.

Here is a Mayo Clinic site that might help you begin to understand. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-white-blood-cell-cou...

I don't know how common it is. The diagnosis of "low" white blood cell count varies a bit from one doctor or clinic to another. There can be many causes, some of them serious. I'm glad your wife is getting medical care. I hope she recovers quickly.

you haven't really provided enough info here. And besides, none of us are doctors. If you have concerns about her health, ask her doctor.

When she went to the hospital did they provide any other insight? Will they be doing additional testing?

There are a lot of reasons why her WBC is low. I have had benign neutropenia (low white count due to low neutrophil count) forever. It appears that I am constantly battling an illness, but I am not (hence the benign). I've had a bone marrow test done and my marrow functions properly - so no one knows what happens to my blood cells but they are outside of 'normal'.

So it is POSSIBLE to have a low WBC and not be ill - but if she's been sick, then it could be a whole range of things - some more serious than others.

I'd get further info from her last visit and set a follow up visit for a recheck and a plan to address.

A lot of things can cause this. Some of them are serious. But the most common is that she's had some kind of virus infection, for example mono can cause this.

Her doc should do some blood tests to rule out the serious stuff, and to test for viruses like mono to see what's going on. If it is a virus, then her counts should bounce back on their own once her body fights off the virus. This happened to me.

Dad, it's a blood disorder. Some people just normally have a lower white blood count (though I doubt by MUCH). However, your girlfriend doesn't seem to be one of those people because she has been sick so much.

There are actually some pretty serious conditions that low white blood cell counts can point to. Hopefully they can pinpoint what is wrong and treat her for it.

Your other question mentions that you are both in school. You are wondering if you should stay home for a while and take care of the baby. How are you both making a living to support yourselves and your child? Are you living with parents? It's important to continue having medical insurance before you decide to quit school. Finish out THIS semester and make sure you and the baby are covered. If she is too sick to go to school, she may be able to cope with staying home with the baby. If so, then you need to stay in school so that you can qualify for a good job with a college degree.

I commend you for trying to find out how to help your child and his mother. My best to you all, and I hope that they can help her with this condition.

Dawn

This is a snippet from the Mayo Clinic
" A low white blood cell count, or leukopenia, is a decrease in disease-fighting cells (leukocytes) circulating in your blood.

The threshold for a low white blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. Some healthy people have white cell counts that are lower than what's considered normal. "

This would mean that her immune system is impaired, which makes sense if she has been feeling sick for awhile.

I hope she feels better soon.

From my experience it is not common. My son had a condition that he grew out of called pediatric neutropenia.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AlgpiqwjnBJC31DshQuEr...

It is something to ask the doctors to look into as it is not a common issue and is not tested unless suspected. To be honest, my son has had doctors that have had no clue what it is.

No matter what it is not easy being a parent of a child that has medical needs beyond what is expected.