What can cause Low White Blood Cells?

Question

I've always had low white blood cells, meaning around 3.8. Recently when I've been sick my tests reveal 2.5-2.7 levels. What's up with this?
My doctor sent me to a Hematologist to do blood work and I am still nervous waiting for replies. I am HIV negative, and some Lupus tests that my pcp tests me on came back negative, and hepatitis was negative...
My hematologist wants to do her tests for Lupus, and something related to Lymphoma b/c my lymph were high at 68 and the ones in my neck have been swollen.
I am a little nervous. I am married and have a 2 year old.
Any advice? Also is there anything dietary related to increase my WBCs?
Thanks in advance.

Oh! When I am feeling better they go up to around 4. So they do fluctuate...

Answer 1

Leukopenia can be caused by many different things, so it usually takes several different tests to narrow down the possibilities. It looks like you are down to two possibilities, neither of which are anything to cheer about. The good thing is that the doctors are looking for the cause before any other symptoms have developed, so no matter what you have, you are probably catching it in an early stage.

There isn't much of anything you can do to increase the WBC count, but a healthy diet and regular exercise will keep your WBCs as high as your body will allow. The only other thing you can look for is the presence of anything in your home/work environment that could be affecting WBC production - eliminate as many organic chemicals as you can - everything that is dispensed by an aerosol can, air fresheners, bathroom cleaning chemicals, new carpet, paints, solvents, or anything else that smells like chemicals. This probably won't make a difference, but it could. You can replace the cleaning products with ones based on natural soaps, detergents and citric acid-based products.

Answer 2

There are many different types and forms of white cells. Since deficiencies can affect one or more types or forms, a doctor's help and additional testing is usually required to understand the nature or cause of the deficiency.

Give your immune system a boost by including lots of yogurt that contains live active cultures of Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Strepococcus thermophilus. Some other specific foods to include are garlic, foods high in zinc such as oysters, pot roast, dark meat turkey and pumpkin and squash seeds (or make multi vitamin contains zinc), and shitake mushrooms.

Too much fat, particularly polyunsaturated vegetables oils, adversely effect immune system strength.