What causes abnormal CBC results in people with lupus?
Abnormal complete blood count (CBC) results are very common in lupus and can affect different types of blood cells. These changes often happen because your immune system mistakenly attacks your blood cells, or because of inflammation and certain medications.
Here's what Show Full Answer
What causes abnormal CBC results in people with lupus?
Abnormal complete blood count (CBC) results are very common in lupus and can affect different types of blood cells. These changes often happen because your immune system mistakenly attacks your blood cells, or because of inflammation and certain medications.
Here's what commonly shows up as abnormal:
Red Blood Cells:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count) affects about 50% of people with lupus
- Can cause fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and shortness of breath
- May result from autoantibodies attacking red blood cells or medication side effects
White Blood Cells:
- Leukopenia (low total white blood cell count) occurs in 50-60% of people with lupus
- Neutropenia (low neutrophils specifically) affects 20-40% of people
- Lymphopenia (low lymphocytes) is found in 75-90% of people with lupus
- Can increase your risk of infections
Platelets:
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) affects 20-40% of people with lupus
- Can cause problems with blood clotting
- Is actually one of the diagnostic criteria for lupus
These abnormal counts often signal that lupus disease activity is increasing. Regular blood work helps your healthcare team monitor your condition and adjust treatment as needed. If you're seeing abnormal results, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist who specializes in blood disorders.
March 9
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