Can anemia cause a decrease in white blood cells?

Anemia generally does not directly cause leukopenia. Anemia mainly refers to a pathological condition in which the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit in a given volume of circulating blood fall below normal values. This condition primarily affects the production and metabolism of red blood cells, with relatively little impact on white blood cells. Common causes of low white blood cell counts include viral infections, certain medications, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, poisoning, and others. It should be noted that certain hematologic disorders, such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, can present with both anemia and reduced white blood cell counts. However, this does not mean that anemia itself causes leukopenia; rather, these diseases simultaneously affect the production of both red and white blood cells. When anemia and leukopenia occur together, further investigation of the underlying cause is necessary to guide targeted treatment.