I got bit by a tick 5 years ago, my white blood cell count has stayed low ever since. so i was sent to a hematologist and then was sent to a rheumatologist who diagnosed me with lupus. could the tick bite trigger the lupus?

By my limited knowledge, there is no association between tick bite and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) or lupus discoid. I would say because you had blood test due to the tick bite so asymptomatic leukopenia (low white cell count) was incidentally detected.

It is unlikely that tick bite induced lupus. The cause of lupus is not known. Visit this site for info: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789#:~:text=Lupus%20is%20a%20disease%20that,%2C%20brain%2C%20heart%20and%20lungs. Wish you good health!