Neutropenia is a medical term that refers to a decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that helps the body defend itself against bacterial infections. An elevation of the liver enzymes usually signals damage to the liver, either by infection, inflammation or trauma. There are several causes of both elevation of the liver enzymes and neutropenia.
Facts About Neutrophils
Your body produces white blood cells to fight all sorts of infections. According to the Mayo Clinic website, about 45 to 70 percent of all white blood cells are neutrophils. Neutropenia can result from decreased production of neutrophils, or from increased destruction of these cells. As the number of neutrophils decreases, your risk for acquiring a serious bacterial infection increases.
Facts About Liver Enzymes
When there is damage to the liver, the levels of its enzymes in the bloodstream increase. The two most common enzymes tested to assess for liver damage are ALT, or alanine transaminase, and AST, or aspartate transaminase. According to Lab Tests Online, ALT is the best enzyme to detect hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, as AST is also present in other tissues, for example the muscles and the heart. ALT can remain elevated for months after the initial damage to the liver.
Causes of Neutropenia and Elevated Liver Enzymes
The most common causes of both neutropenia and elevated liver enzymes are viral infections. Certain viruses, like Epstein-Barr, which causes mononucleosis or glandular fever, and parvovirus, tend to infiltrate the bone marrow, disrupting the mechanisms of creation of neutrophils and other blood cells. Medications are another common cause of elevation of liver enzymes and neutropenia. For example, according to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, certain medications used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can cause neutropenia and elevated liver enzymes as side effects.
Symptoms
The symptoms of elevated liver enzymes usually correlate with its cause. In general, inflammation of the liver causes pain in the right upper side of the abdomen, which is where the liver is located. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting; jaundice, a yellowing tinge to the skin; dark urine; and pale stools. People with neutropenia may exhibit frequent fevers; infections like pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia, which is a blood borne bacterial infection; weight loss; and diarrhea.
