Agranulocytosis is a blood disorder that tends to occur when the number of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, is low. Though it usually can only be confirmed by tests run by a doctor, some symptoms of agranulocytosis may cause patients to seek medical help. The body has trouble fighting off infections when white blood cells are not present in high enough numbers, so patients often suffer from a fever, chills and general fatigue. They also may notice that their gums bleed and they have ulcers in their mouth. Once they see a doctor, it may become apparent that they also are suffering from jaundice or respiratory infections, though the most obvious sign that a patient has this disorder is a low number of white blood cells.
Some of the symptoms of agranulocytosis result in patients not feeling very well, though the cause may not be immediately obvious. For example, many people develop a fever, which often comes with chills. They also may feel generally weak and exhausted for no apparent reason. Many people notice a sore throat, and some get diarrhea when suffering from agranulocytosis disorder. Many of these symptoms also show up with various other diseases, including the flu virus, so not everyone immediately thinks to get an official diagnosis and treatment from a doctor.
Other symptoms of agranulocytosis may involve the mouth. For instance, one common symptom is the appearance of ulcers in both the throat and mouth. In most cases, they do not contain pus and may be puzzling to patients, especially if there are no other symptoms present. Many patients, though, do experience other signs of agranulocytosis, including bleeding gums. In many cases, these symptoms of agranulocytosis are worrisome enough to contact a doctor, allowing this disorder to be properly diagnosed and treated.
There are some symptoms of agranulocytosis that typically are not found until a doctor runs tests and identifies them, because they may not be obvious to patients. One example is a low level of white blood cells, which can only be confirmed by a test, though a major sign of this issue is a lowered immune system that allows the patient to easily become sick with various viruses and bacterial infections. Patients also may get jaundice, which can cause their skin and the white areas of their eyes to appear yellow, when dealing with such blood cell disorders. Some patients also come down with respiratory infections, though it is possible to develop just about any illness when the body's immune system is compromised. Once these symptoms of agranulocytosis are diagnosed by a doctor, the disorder may be identified and treated.
