White blood cells (Leukocytes / WBC)

Optimal Result: 3.4 - 10.8 x10E3/µL, 3.40 - 10.80 x10^9/L, or 3.40 - 10.80 x10/9/l.

Understanding the White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: A Comprehensive Guide

Alternative Names for White Blood Cell Count

  • Leukocyte Count
  • White Blood Cell Count
  • WBC Differential
  • White Blood Cell Differential
  • Infection WBC Count
  • Cancer WBC Count

What Is a White Blood Cell Count?

A white blood cell (WBC) count is a blood test that measures the number of white blood cells in your bloodstream. It is a critical marker for detecting infections, inflammation, and various medical conditions.

What Are White Blood Cells?

White blood cells, or leukocytes, are essential components of your immune system. They help fight infections and play a role in inflammation and immune response. There are five primary types of WBCs:

  • Neutrophils: The most abundant type, produced by bone marrow to combat a wide range of infections and inflammatory diseases.
  • Lymphocytes: Include B-cells and T-cells, which primarily reside in the lymphatic system and target bacteria and pathogens in the bloodstream.
  • Monocytes: Work with neutrophils to fight infections and remove dead or damaged cells.
  • Eosinophils: Respond to allergens and certain parasitic infections.
  • Basophils: Assist in detecting infections early, wound healing, and managing allergic reactions.

Why Is a White Blood Cell Count Tested?

Doctors recommend a WBC count test for several reasons:

  • Diagnose Conditions: Detect infections, autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and blood disorders.
  • Monitor Treatments: Evaluate the effectiveness of chemotherapy, radiation, or other medical therapies.
  • Routine Health Check: Included as part of a complete blood count (CBC) to assess overall health.

What Is a Complete Blood Count (CBC)?

A CBC is a common blood test used to evaluate overall health and diagnose various conditions, including anemia, infection, and leukemia. It measures:

  • Red blood cells (RBCs): Oxygen carriers.
  • White blood cells (WBCs): Infection fighters.
  • Hemoglobin: Protein in RBCs that carries oxygen.
  • Hematocrit: Proportion of RBCs in the blood.
  • Platelets: Assist in blood clotting.

A CBC with WBC differential provides detailed counts of each type of white blood cell, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

What Is a Normal WBC Count?

The normal WBC range is 3,800 to 10,800 cells per microliter (3.8 to 10.8 × 10x9/L).
However, normal values may vary slightly depending on the laboratory. Always consult your healthcare provider to interpret your results.

References

  1. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Differential Leukocyte Count (Diff) - Peripheral Blood. In: Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 6th ed., Elsevier Saunders, 2013:441–450. [L]
  2. Vajpayee N, Graham SS, Bem S. Basic Examination of Blood and Bone Marrow. In: Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods, 23rd ed., Elsevier, 2017: Chapter 30. [L]

Key Takeaway

Regular monitoring of your WBC count can provide valuable insights into your health, help detect hidden medical conditions, and guide effective treatment plans. Always discuss test results with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

What does it mean if your White blood cells (Leukocytes / WBC) result is too high?

A higher than normal WBC count is called leukocytosis. A white blood cell count that's higher than usual most commonly is due to an infection or inflammation.

In the instance of infection, the source is likely bacterial. The causes of inflammation are varied. Physical stressors like exercise, seizures, anxiety, tobacco use, burn injuries, heart attack, appendicitis, and splenectomy can result in inflammation. There are a few chronic conditions that lead to inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Some cancers (like those of the bone marrow) can cause an abnormal white blood cell count.

A high white blood cell count hence may be due to:

- Certain drugs or medicines

- Cigarette smoking

- After spleen removal surgery

- Infections, most often those caused by bacteria

- Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy)

- Leukemia or Hodgkin disease

- Tissue damage (for example, burns)

What are symptoms of a high white blood cell count?

In most instances, there are no specific symptoms related to an elevated white blood cell count, though symptoms associated with the underlying medical condition may occur. However, in extreme cases, such as when leukocytosis occurs because of a condition affecting the bone marrow, symptoms directly related to an elevated white blood cell count may occur.

Here is a look at why the specific types of white blood cells could be increased:

Elevated neutrophils: Your bone marrow may make a higher number of neutrophils if you have a bacterial infection or are experiencing acute stress or trauma.

Elevated eosinophils: Allergies can cause an increased number of eosinophils. Also, if you have Addison disease, collagen vascular disease, parasitic infection, or cancer, you may have increased eosinophil production.

Elevated lymphocytes: Your bone marrow may produce excess lymphocytes if you have a viral or chronic bacterial infection, lymphocytic leukemia, or multiple myeloma.

Elevated monocytes: This can be due to chronic inflammatory disease, leukemia, parasitic infection, tuberculosis, or viral infection.

Elevated basophils: This can result as a side effect of splenectomy, allergic reaction, chronic myelogenous leukemia, collagen vascular disease, myeloproliferative diseases, and chickenpox.

What does it mean if your White blood cells (Leukocytes / WBC) result is too low?

A low number of WBCs is called leukopenia. A decrease in total white blood cell count is unusual and generally a cause for concern.

There are a few conditions within the body that cause white blood cell levels to drop, including:

- A severe infection, such as sepsis, which is wiping out blood cells faster than the body can make them

- A disease affecting the bone marrow, like lupus or HIV

- Medications that impact the bone marrow (e.g chemotherapy)

- Bone marrow deficiency or failure (for example, due to infection, tumor, or abnormal scarring)

- Cancer treating drugs, or other medicines (see list below)

- Certain autoimmune disorders such as lupus (SLE)

- Disease of the liver or spleen

- Radiation treatment for cancer

- Certain viral illnesses, such as mononucleosis (mono)

- Cancers that damage the bone marrow

- Very severe bacterial infections

- Severe emotional or physical stress (such as from an injury or surgery)

If you follow a whole food, plant-based (i.e., vegan) diet, your white blood cell count (including Neutrophils and Monocytes) might be on a lower level. Research studies are supporting the hypothesis that people on a vegan diet have overall lower WBC counts. For those individuals, the optimal reference range should be adjusted downwards to 3.11 - 8.83 x10E3/µL  [L, L, L, L].

Frequently asked questions

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