Differential Diagnosis

Most cases of leukopenia are associated with a low number of granulocytes.

  • Decreased production of granulocytes may be caused by marrow failure, infiltration of the marrow by leukemic cells or metastatic cancer cells, suppression of granulocyte production by certain drugs, and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

  • There may be an accelerated removal of granulocytes following exposure to certain drugs, as part of an autoimmune disorder, in certain infections, or from splenic sequestration of granulocytes.


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Suggested Additional Lab Testing

Most important test: WBC count and differential

Peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate, with or without bone marrow biopsy, is informative in the diagnosis of certain leukopenias.