what can cause you to have a low white blood count
Underlying causes for a low white blood cell count can range from benign disorders, such as vitamin deficiencies, to more serious blood diseases, such as leukemia or lymphoma. A truly low white blood cell count also puts you at higher risk for infections â typically bacterial infections.
A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: 1  Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. 2  Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. 3  Cancer (or other diseases that damage bone marrow)  Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells.
Low blood counts can have many causes, including vitamin deficiencies, bleeding, and rare bone marrow failure diseases like aplastic anemia, MDS and PNH. If your blood tests are abnormal, your doctor may do other blood tests or take a sample of your bone marrow to find out why.