Low Absolute Neutrophil Count is usually associated with Neutropenia. Neutropenia is a medical condition characterized by extreme low levels of neutrophils in the body immune system. Neutrophils are special types of leucocytes (white blood cells) that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the body.
What Is Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)?
Your ANC is simply the estimate of neutrophils in a cubic millimeter of your blood. The standard units are cells per micro-liter. The normal ANC count should be 1500 to 8000/mm3. This translates to a ratio of 1.5 to 8.0
How Can You Estimate Your ANC?
There are four ways that you can use to estimate your ANC:
Compute using the ANC Calculator from Marrowforums.
Estimate your ANC using the numbers shown on your lab report.
Check your ANC on your lab report. Some Labs may opt to include your computed ANC while others only provide your measured count blood values.
You can ask your doctor to interpreter your ANC results for you. The doctor will refer to your last differential.
What Is The Meaning Of Low Absolute Neutrophil Count?
This refers to an ANC count of less than 500. This is a good indicator of neutropenia. The major causes of this condition include the following:
Adverse effects from medication: There are some medications that are known to cause decreased neutrophil count. These are mainly medications used to treat conditions such as vomiting, psychosis and allergies.
Dialysis: Dialysis is used to boost the kidney function but to some extent it can also result to low neutrophil count.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass: This is a medical procedure that moves blood flow away from the heart and lungs to the aorta. This procedure is known to cause low neutrophil count.
Felty Syndrome: This is an immune disorder that causes abnormal cell changes and is usually associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also known to cause decrease in neutrophil count.
Hypersplenism: This is a medical disorder characterized by abnormal enlargement in the spleen and an increase in leucocytes. The spleen is therefore unable to remove old red blood cells and prevent infections.
Autoimmune Diseases: This is a common condition in lupus patients. These disorders produce proteins known as antineutrophils that destroy neutrophils.
Preleukemia and Leukemia: Preleukemia is a condition that occurs before full blown cancer and is characterized by decreases in neutrophils. Leukemia is a type of blood cancer where by the bone marrow is replaced by leucocytes.
Aplastic Anemia: This is an immune disorder characterized by abnormal decreases in blood cells when the bone marrow is malfunctioning. This damage can be caused by infection, radiation or medication.
Severe bacterial infection: The pus that forms in the blood after bacterial infection can destroy the neutrophils.
Folic Acid or B12 deficiency: Decreased levels of folic acid in the body cause depletion of neutrophils.
Common Symptoms Of Neutropenia
Decreased neutrophil count.
Wounds that can take long time to heal.
Rashes.
Abscesses or collection of pus.
Ulcers
Popular Remedies For Neutropenia Treatment
The type of treatment depends on the nature of the medical condition. You should seek the advice of an experienced health care provider if you suspect that you have neutropenia related symptoms. The common remedies for treating neutropenia include the following:
Avoiding unhealthy foods such as undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy foods.
Avoiding infant diapers and animal waste.
Ensuring that all scrapes and cuts are well cleaned and dressed.
Avoiding direct contact with sick people.
Always wearing shoes.
Observing good personal hygiene. This include regular brushing and flossing, good dental care and frequent hand washing.
In summary, Low Absolute Neutrophil Count may be caused by a number of factors. It is important to ask your healthy provider to carry out you ANC count regularly. Observing good personal and environmental hygiene is also a perfect remedy of preventing neutropenia.