6. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of strong medications to kill cancer cells. These drugs also kill other rapidly growing cells in the body, including skin and white blood cells. Chemotherapy is a cause of short-term low white blood cell counts. After chemotherapy ends, white blood cell counts should slowly recover to a normal level.
7. Lupus
Autoimmune diseases are a type of condition in which the immune system mistakes self for an invader. In the case of lupus, the body attacks the body’s tissues and organs, especially the skin and joints. The heart, lung and kidneys and brain may be attacked when a person has systemic lupus. Blood cells can also be depleted in people with lupus. More than 90% of people with lupus are women. Lupus has no cure, but medications to reduce inflammation may also help white blood cell counts recover.