HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Low WBC Count?

Posted on Fri, 10 Oct 2014

Question: Hello!
I am a male, 59 years-of-age. I just received the results of my blood work. The tests showed my white blood cell count is: 1.7 L, while my Mean Platelet Volume is: 6.3 L. What can you tell me about the test results, e.g. what causes a low white cell count & low mean Platelet Volume? Thank you very much for your time!

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Complete blood report is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthCareMagic.

A low white blood cell count can be seen in cases of bone marrow depression.
Bone marrow depression can be due to infection, inflammation, depression due to effect of drugs and chemicals and due to neoplastic conditions.
However, bone marrow depression causes anemia and low platelet count also.

Mean platelet volume (MPV) lies between 6-10 fl.
Low MPV suggests small sized platelets which can be due to disturbance in platelet production.
Thus, all platelet parameters are required to know status of platelet functions.

I am of the opinion that complete blood report should be posted for better assessment of all parameters.

Thanks
Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj