What does a low white blood cell count mean with lupus?
A low white blood cell count, called leukopenia, is very common with lupus. About 50 to 60 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus experience this. It happens when your white blood cell count drops below 4,000 cells per microliter (normal range is 4,000 to Show Full Answer
What does a low white blood cell count mean with lupus?
A low white blood cell count, called leukopenia, is very common with lupus. About 50 to 60 percent of people with systemic lupus erythematosus experience this. It happens when your white blood cell count drops below 4,000 cells per microliter (normal range is 4,000 to 11,000).
In lupus, this can occur because:
- Your immune system may be attacking white blood cells by mistake
- Certain lupus medications can lower white blood cell production
- Active disease or lupus flares can affect blood cell counts
Leukopenia affects nearly half of people with SLE and is actually one of the classification criteria that can help diagnose the disease. What symptoms should you watch for?
When you have leukopenia, you might:
- Get sick more often
- Have trouble fighting off infections
- Run a fever without knowing why
- Experience infections that last longer than usual
The concern is that with fewer white blood cells, your body has less defense against infections and diseases. What should you do next?
Make sure to see your doctor for regular checkups that include blood cell counts to monitor your lupus. A complete blood count (CBC) test can track these changes over time.
A hematologist (blood disease specialist) can help explain how lupus is affecting your blood cells and provide guidance on monitoring and treatment options appropriate for your situation. As a MyLupusTeam member noted, "You definitely need blood tests to keep an eye on what's going on with lupus symptoms to make sure it's not affecting other organs."
Changes in blood cell counts are often linked with disease activity, so keeping track of them helps manage your overall health.
February 19
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