What is a dangerously high white blood cell count?
White blood cell counts that are too high or too low may be dangerous, depending on the cause. A high white blood cell count is called leukocytosis, which is generally diagnosed when white blood cell levels exceed 11,000/μL. This occurs when the immune system is stimulated in some way. Causes of high white blood cell counts include:
Are white blood cells bad or good?
Your white blood cells make up less than 1% of all your blood cells. 2 Still, they play a vital role in keeping you healthy. They're made in your bone marrow and are part of your immune system. White blood cells ease inflammation and fight infections.
Does a high white blood cell count mean cancer?
Not always. A high white blood cell count could signal certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, but it more often is a sign of inflammation or infection. When there is a pathogen in your body, your immune system releases cells to fight it off and heal your body. This causes the number of white blood cells in your body to increase.
What causes elevated white blood cell count?
What infections cause white blood cells to be high?
- Viral or bacterial infection.
- Inflammation.
- Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury, or surgery)
- Burns.
- Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Thyroid problems.
What is a dangerous level of white blood cell count?
How many white blood cells (WBCs) someone has varies, but the normal range is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter of blood. A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.
Is 20000 white blood cell count high?
The specific number for high (above normal) white blood cell count varies from one lab testing facility to another, but a general rule of thumb is that a count of more than 10,500 leukocytes in a microliter of blood in adults is generally considered to be high, while 4,500-10,500 is considered within the normal range.
Is 25000 white blood cell count high?
The majority of patients present with WBC counts in the 10,000 to 15,000/mm3 range without a left shift; counts >25,000/mm3 with a left shift suggest bacterial infection.
What does a white blood cell count of 30000 mean?
Leukocytes: critical low and high values A WBC of less than 500 places the patient at risk for a fatal infection. A WBC over 30,000 indicates massive infection or a serious disease such as leukemia.
What causes low white blood cells?
A low white blood cell count can be caused by the following ( not an exhaustive list ): 1 Infections, including viral infections (especially HIV/AIDS) 2 Chronic inflammation, which can use up white blood cells faster than they are produced 3 Certain disorders present at birth that involve diminished bone marrow function 4 Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow, such as leukemia; also, chemotherapy or radiation therapy 5 Drugs, such as antibiotics, which destroy white blood cells 6 Autoimmune disorders such as sarcoidosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis 7 Nutrient deficiencies
What causes white blood cells to use up faster than they are produced?
Chronic inflammation, which can use up white blood cells faster than they are produced. Certain disorders present at birth that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow, such as leukemia; also, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
What is the effect of IGF-1 on WBCs?
6) IGF-1. IGF-I stimulates a rapid increase in a number of immune cells, including WBCs, and helps increase the overall effectiveness of the immune system [ 28 ]. IGF-1 has an antiapoptotic (inhibits cell death) effect on WBC count and may increase their number [ 29 ].
How long does cortisol affect WBCs?
Cell numbers then rise 24 to 72 hours after treatment [ 21 ]. We strongly recommend against using cortisol to increase WBCs.
What causes low WBCs?
Autoimmune disorders such as sarcoidosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrient deficiencies. The causes listed here are commonly associated with this symptom, but low WBCs are not enough to identify the underlying condition responsible. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What does it mean when your white blood count is low?
Having too low of a white blood cell count can be a sign of an immune system that is not capable of handling infections properly.
Which cells are responsible for oxidative stress?
White blood cells are immune cells capable of causing oxidative stress and damage. Leukocytes participate in the inflammation process, are recruited at the site of endothelial injury, and form foam cells in the plaque [ 3 ]. Interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α are released from activated leukocytes and can cause endothelial dysfunction [ 3 ].
What is the name of the cancer that starts in the blood?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells, usually the white blood cells though it can start in other types of blood cells. In patients with leukemia, the bone marrow in the center of the bones produces abnormal blood cells that grow out of control and get into the bloodstream. Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, ...
What are the symptoms of leukemia?
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. Fevers, night sweats, frequent infections, fatigue, weight loss, and easy bleeding or bruising are symptoms of leukemia. Leukemia is diagnosed with blood tests, biopsies, chest X-rays, and lumbar puncture. Treatment for leukemia may involve chemotherapy, targeted ...
How is leukemia diagnosed?
Leukemia is diagnosed with blood tests, biopsies, chest X-rays, and lumbar puncture. Treatment for leukemia may involve chemotherapy, targeted therapy, biological therapy, radiation, stem cell transplantation, surgery, or a combination of these. Many factors determine the prognosis for leukemia.
Is it dangerous to have a high white blood cell count?
What Is a Dangerous White Blood Cell Count?: White blood cell counts that are too high or too low may be dangerous, depending on the cause. Infection can cause spikes, as well as blood cancers and other conditions.
What percentage of blood cells are white?
White blood cells make up around 1 percent of all blood cells, and they are essential to regular function in the immune system. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. The bone marrow continuously produces white blood cells.
How many white blood cells are there in the human body?
Several types of white blood cell serve different functions. Most people will produce around 100 billion white blood cells every day. There are normally between 4,000 and 11,000 cells in every microliter of blood, although this can vary according to race. There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: ...
What does it mean when your monocytes are high?
Monocytes: High levels of monocytes may indicate the presence of chronic infection, an autoimmune or blood disorder, cancer, or other medical conditions. Lymphocytes: If there is an elevation in the level of lymphocytes, the condition is known as lymphocytic leukocytosis. This may occur as a result of a virus or an infection, such as tuberculosis. ...
What are the different types of white blood cells?
There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: 1 Lymphocytes: These are vital for producing antibodies that help the body to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, and other threats. 2 Neutrophils: These are powerful white blood cells that destroy bacteria and fungi. 3 Basophils: These alert the body to infections by secreting chemicals into the bloodstream, mostly to combat allergies. 4 Eosinophils: These are responsible for destroying parasites and cancer cells, and they are part of an allergic response 5 Monocytes: These are responsible for attacking and breaking down germs or bacteria that enter the body.
What organs do monocytes travel to?
When necessary, monocytes travel to other organs, such as the spleen, liver, lungs, and bone marrow, where they transform into a cell called a macrophage. A macrophage is responsible for many functions, including removing dead or damaged tissue, destroying cancer cells, and regulating the immune response.
What causes white blood cells to increase?
injury. emotional stress. labor. pregnancy. smoking. allergic reactions. excessive exercise . Certain respiratory illnesses, such as a whooping cough or tuberculosis, may cause the levels of white blood cells to increase. In some cases, all white blood cells are affected.
What is the term for an increase in white blood cells?
An increase in white blood cells is known as leukocytosis. It typically occurs in response to the following conditions: infection. immunosuppression. medications, including corticosteroids. a bone marrow or immune disorder. certain cancers, such as acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. inflammation. injury.
What Are White Blood Cells?
There are several types of white blood cells (WBCs), also called leukocytes, and each can be affected differently by cancer and its treatments. There are five types of white blood cells:
What Causes a Low White Blood Cell Count?
A low white blood cell count can develop as a result of cancer or cancer treatment. You may also be given a more specific diagnosis based on the exact type of white blood cell affected like neutropenia, which is a low number of neutrophils. 1
Preventing Infections
Since white blood cells help defend your body against pathogens, too few WBCs can increase your risk of infections. For people with cancer, their risk of infection is even higher due to weakness, nutrition problems, and other side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. 1
Summary
Cancer and treatments used to treat cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can lower your WBC count. White blood cells are immune system cells that help defend your body against foreign threats like viruses and bacteria. When the number of WBCs in your body are low, you are at a higher risk of infections.
A Word From Verywell
Some cancers can cause your white blood cell count to increase, but more often it reduces the number of these cells. WBCs power the immune system, and both cancer and cancer treatments can reduce the number of these cells that you have available to fight infection.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Bone marrow and blood cancers, in particular, can lead to high blood counts as the cancer cells cause blood cells to reproduce rapidly. 5
Why is my white cell count 19000?
Depends on cause: White cell count of 19000 is definitely elevated and needs to be evaluated. It may be due to an infection and you should consult your doctor asap.
Can low WBC count cause infections?
So, people with low white blood cell counts could be more susceptible to infections. However, it depends on why the wbcs are low. Some people simply have low WBC counts and live normal lives. Others could have an underlying problem causing the low counts. 6.3k views Reviewed >2 years ago.