what is the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and a low white blood count?

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what is the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and a low white blood count?

2007-04-17 09:32:23 · 2 answers · asked by Susan B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine

2 answers

the relationship may actually be due to medications the patient is taking for the rheumatoid arthritis. since it is an auto-immune disorder, immunosuppressive drugs (which suppress the immune system) are used to treat it.

2007-04-17 11:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by bad guppy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋

the disease itself doens't cause a low white blood cell count. rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease- if you're taking immunosuppressants like methotrexate or prednisone, that may cause the low white counts.

2007-04-18 11:48:00 · answer #2 · answered by belfus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋