Why low white blood cell count?

Question

My husband's job requires him to get an annual benzene physical. This year his white blood cell count was low (3,7). Everything else is in range. However, the company dr wants him to see a hematologist and I am freaking out. Do I need to freak out or just chill out. I know he does not have HIV... that is out of the question. What about alcohol... could that have made the count be low if he drank the night before and got up first thing in the morning and went to do the physical? Hopefully someone can calm my nerves... he's no help. You know how men are. He is only 24.

Answer 1

White Blood Cell Count

Also known as: WBC count, Leukocyte count, White count

Formal name: White Blood Cell Count

Related tests: Complete blood count, Blood smear

WBC Count - The WBC count is the number of WBCs in a cubic millimeter of blood. The primary function of these cells is to prevent and fight infections. There are many different types of white blood cells that play specific roles in fight infections. These specific types of WBCs can be measured in the white cell differential. Normal WBC count is from 4,500 to 1,000. The WBC count can be decreased for a variety of reasons: certain medications decease the production of WBCs in the bone marrow, minor viral infections which you may not even be aware of, stress, and opportunistic infections. Values markedly decreased should be cause for concern, since during this situation one is more susceptible to other infections

Normal levels:

The normal range for WBC count is 4,300 to 10,800 cells per cubic millimeter (cmm) or 4.3 to 10.8 x 109 cells per liter. A range of 11 to 17 x 109/L may be considered mild to moderate leukocytosis, and a range of 3.0 to 5.0x109/L may be considered mild leukopenia.

So his level of 3,7 is definitely considered mild leukopenia or low.  

The rest are just some teaching information on this subject matter to take it one step  further:    

Conditions or medications that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy cause a decrease in white blood cells. The WBC count detects dangerously low numbers of these cells.

The WBC count is used to determine the presence of an infection or leukemia. It is also used to help monitor the body’s response to various treatments and to monitor bone marrow function.

A decreased WBC count is called leukopenia. It can result from many different situations, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or diseases of the immune system such as HIV.

Counts that continue to rise or fall to abnormal levels indicate that the condition is getting worse. Counts that return to normal indicate improvement

The WBC count tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. WBC counts are age-related.

There are many drugs that cause both increased and decreased WBC counts.

Your husband probably works in a company that deals with low levels of benzene exposure.  That's why they require their employees  to  go for an  annual benzene physical as a precautionary measure.  .  This is to monitor if they have been dangerously exposed.  That's why the referrral to a hematologist is appropriate.and for his benefit.  

The site below; I hope will enlighten you:

http://www.toxictorts.com/benzene-low-le...

http://www.toxictorts.com/benzene_info_d...

Answer 2

it is not so low