White blood cell deficiencies
What causesagranulocytosis and neutropenia?
Agranulocytosis and neutropenia usually occur later in life, as the result of another condition or treatment(acquired), but can sometimes be present from birth (congenital).
Depending on the cause, your white blood cell count may recover over time. However, in some cases, the problem can be persistent.
Acquiredagranulocytosis and neutropenia
Common causes of acquiredagranulocytosisor neutropenia include:
- chemotherapy or a Stem cell transplant (or preparation for a bone marrow transplant)
- certain medications including some anti-psychotics and some medications for an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- an autoimmune disorder (where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues) such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- a bone marrow disease such as myelodysplasia (where blood cells do not develop properly) or leukaemia
- certain infections including HIV and hepatitis
Congenitalagranulocytosis and neutropenia
Congenitalagranulocytosisor neutropenia can be caused by several rare geneticfaults (altered genes) that may be passed on to a child by one or both of his or her parents.
Individuals of Afro-Caribbean descent often have a naturally slightly lower neutrophil count than those of other ethnic origins, but this is entirely normal and does not lead to any health problems.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that help fight infection. 'Agranulocytosis' and 'neutropenia' are terms often used to describe a deficiency of these cells.
What causesagranulocytosis and neutropenia?
Agranulocytosis and neutropenia usually occur later in life, as the result of another condition or treatment(acquired), but can sometimes be present from birth (congenital). Depending on the cause, y
Signs and symptoms
Most people with agranulocytosis or neutropenia will not have any obvious symptoms. However, these conditions may mean you are more vulnerable to picking up infections because you don't have enough w
Seeking medical advice
Most peopleat risk ofagranulocytosis or neutropenia should already be aware of signs to look out for, and will have beentold what to do ifthey experience them. For example, if you have been having ch
Diagnosing andmanaging agranulocytosis and neutropenia
If your doctor suspects youhave agranulocytosis or neutropenia, they will carry out a blood test to check the level ofwhite blood cellsin your blood. Ifone of these conditionsis diagnosed,the treatm
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