Why would someone have a high white blood cell count?
Overall, the most common cause for a high white blood cell count is response to infection. Another potential cause of an elevated white blood cell count is leukemia. This is effectively a cancerous change of the blood and bone marrow which causes significant overproduction of white blood cells.
What are the causes of elevated white blood cell count?
Other high white blood cell count causes may include:
- Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury or surgery).
- Burns.
- Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Thyroid problems.
- Dental caries (cavities).
- Certain medicines, including lithium, corticosteroids and beta-agonists.
- Allergies.
- Splenectomy (removal of your spleen).
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
What does it mean if your white blood cell count is high?
Leukocytosis means you have a high white blood cell count. This means you have more white blood cells than normal. Leukocytosis is a normal immune response and isn’t always a cause for concern. Most of the time, it means that your body is fighting off infection or inflammation.
What does elevated white blood cell count indicate?
Slightly elevated white blood cell count usually indicates an infection, a problem in the immune system or bone marrow, or it can be a side-effect of a drug. Here is a list of diseases and disorders which can raise the WBC count of an individual.
Is a white blood cell count of 15.7 high?
Diagnosis of a high white blood cell count The normal range for your WBC is usually 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter. Your WBC is generally considered high if it is greater than 11,000 cells per microliter.
What white blood cell count is considered too 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 14.7 WBC high?
A: For an adult, a healthy WBC count is considered to be between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood.
Is a white blood cell count 8.5 high?
Normal Results The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter (4.5 to 11.0 × 109/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs.
Is 15 white blood cell count high?
The exact threshold for a high white blood cell count varies from one laboratory to another. In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
What does a WBC of 18000 mean?
A marked elevation >18,000 to 20,000/mm3 suggests rupture, phlegmon, or abscess. In children, the WBC count with differential is the single most useful laboratory test but is helpful only in supporting the clinical diagnosis; bot the total count and percentage of neutrophils are significantly higher in appendicitis.
Should I be worried about high white blood cell count?
Leukocytosis is a normal immune response and isn't always a cause for concern. Most of the time, it means that your body is fighting off infection or inflammation. However, there are times when a high white blood cell count could indicate something more serious, such as leukemia.
What is a normal WBC level for a woman?
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 14000 a high WBC?
Normally the total WBC count for an adult ranges from 5,000 to 10,000/mm 3. Leukocytosis (WBC>10,000/mm 3) can indicate infection, inflammation (possibly from allergies), tissue damage or burns, dehydration, thyroid storm, leukemia, stress, or steroid use.
Is a 7.2 white blood cell count normal?
The normal range for WBC is 5 to 10 K/uL. Your CBC will also measure what's called the ANC (absolute neutrophil count) That's the specific number of white blood cells in your blood that fight infection.
What is a normal white blood count for a 60 year old woman?
Normal values of white blood cells are 4500-10,000 in adults. In the elderly, total WBC will decrease slightly. In response to acute infection, trauma or inflammation, the number of WBCs increases and in some diseases, such as sepsis, the increase in WBC is so dramatic that resembles leukemia (leukemoid reaction).
Is 3700 WBC count normal?
Generally, though, a normal white blood cell count is 4,000-11,000 per microliter of blood.
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.
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.
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 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.
Why is white blood count important?
White blood cells are vital components of the blood. Their role is to fight infection, and they are essential for health and well-being. A high white blood cell count may indicate that the immune system is working to destroy an infection. It may also be a sign of physical or emotional stress. People with particular blood cancers may also have high ...
What does it mean when your white blood cell count is high?
A high white blood cell count is called leukocytosis and can mean that your body is dealing with extra stress. This can be in the form of an infection, inflammation, injury, allergic reaction, or emotional stress.
Why are my white blood cells higher than normal?
The most common cause of higher than normal white blood cells is because your body is fighting an infection. The presence of germs, bacteria, or viruses signal to your body to produce more WBCs to destroy the pathogens.
What is left shift WBC?
7. Left shift WBC or leukocytosis with left shift means that there is a high number of young, immature white blood cells in your blood.
What is the WBC test?
Doctors test for white blood cell (WBC) count to measure the number of white blood cells in your body. This blood test is usually done as part of a standard complete blood count (CBC) test. White blood cells are also called leukocytes and they are part of your immune system. They attack germs, bacteria, and microbes that can cause infections ...
Why do doctors check WBC levels?
Doctors also check for abnormal WBC levels if they suspect an autoimmune condition, blood disorder, or problem with your immune system. There are not always obvious symptoms if your white blood cell count is outside the normal range.
Why is my WBC elevated?
Usually, blood test results show elevated white blood cell count if you are fighting an infection or have an inflammatory condition. Pregnancy can also cause a high or slightly elevated white blood cell count. However, other factors like stress, smoking, or allergies can elevate your white blood cell count. Doctors also check for abnormal WBC ...
How do you know if you have an elevated WBC?
Therefore, you may show signs like: 4. Body aches and pains.
What does it mean when your white blood cell count is high?
In general, a high white blood cell count may indicate that: Your body is reacting to a drug that causes an increase in WBC production. You have a disease in the bone marrow that is causing an abnormally high production of WBCs. You have an immune system disorder that causes an increase in WBC production.
Why is my white blood count high?
Here's What You Need To Know. A high white blood cell count may be caused by a wide range of conditions, which include normal physiological responses to stress, allergic reactions, infection and serious conditions such as cancer. Treatment usually depends on the cause or disease.
What causes a high neutrophil count?
The neutrophils make up about 59 percent of your white blood cell population. An increase in your neutrophil count (neutrophilia) may be due to: 1 Infection, which is the most common cause, frequently due to bacteria but also fungi or viruses 2 Inflammation, which may be related to various conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, or rheumatoid arthritis 3 Malignancy (cancer), including leukemia (cancer of the blood) 4 Stress 5 The use of certain drugs or medications, including lithium, heparin, carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, phenytoin, minocycline, and steroids 6 Certain genetic conditions such as familial cold urticaria, familial neutrophilia
How high is a WBC count?
Furthermore, the threshold for a high white blood cell count in kids varies with their age and size. In adults, a WBC count of more than 11,000 per microliter of blood is considered higher than healthy.
What are the components of white cells that contribute to an increase in the total number of your WBCs?
There are five distinct components of white cells that may contribute to an increase in the total number of your WBCs. Leukocytosis may occur due to an increase in one or a combination of these cells: Neutrophils. Lymphocytes .
Why is my WBC high?
In most cases, the cause of the high white blood cell count is related to an on-going medical condition, such as an infection, but less frequently, high white blood cell counts may be caused by a serious disorder or disease process, such as leukemia. The values that doctors consider as a high WBC count may differ from one medical practice ...
What is the blood component of the human body?
Human blood contains solid particles in the form of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets as well as a liquid component called plasma. The red blood cells function mainly to transport oxygen to the various tissues and organs around the body, ...
What is a 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 ...
What happens if your white blood cells are too high?
What Are White Blood Cells? 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. White blood cells (leukocytes) make up about 1% of our blood and they help protect the body against illness and disease.
What causes high white blood cells?
Causes of high white blood cell counts include: Infections, such as bacterial infections. Leukemia and lymphoma, which are types of cancers. Trauma. Extensive wounds or burns. Acute or chronic inflammation such as from autoimmune disease, allergies, and other inflammatory problems. Cigarette smoking.
Which cells make up 30% of the total number of white blood cells?
They make up about 30% of the total number of white blood cells. Monocytes. These white blood cells have a longer lifespan than other white blood cells and help to break down bacteria. They make up about 8% of the total number of white blood cells. Eosinophils.
Which white blood cells kill parasites?
Eosinophils. These white blood cells attack and kill parasites and cancer cells. They also help with allergic responses. They make up about 1 to 3% of the total number of white blood cells. Basophils. These white blood cells release histamine during an allergic reaction which promotes blood flow to the body’s tissues.
What does a high WBC mean?
A high WBC count could indicate that there' s an infection or inflammation in the body. 2 . A normal WBC count is not an exact number but instead is a value somewhere above what would be considered low and below what would be considered high. The WBC count result is used along with other test results to monitor the status of a disease or condition.
What does it mean when your WBC is high?
A high WBC count could mean that there's inflammation or an infection somewhere in the body. In some cases, it might be clear that it's related to an existing disease or condition, in which case, the symptoms of that disease might be present.
What does it mean when your WBC goes up?
1 As the WBC count goes up, it could mean inflammation is happening somewhere in the body. As the WBC count goes down, it could mean inflammation is resolving.
Why is WBC count expressed in different units?
The count may be expressed in one of several different types of units because there is variation depending on which unit of measurement a particular lab uses. Different labs will also have their own definition of what constitutes a "high" or a "low" WBC count.
What medications can cause a low WBC?
Some medications that treat IBD, such as 6-MP and Imuran, may cause the WBC count to be lower than normal. 1 A gastroenterologist can help put a low WBC count into perspective when these drugs are being used to treat IBD.
What is a WBC count?
A WBC count is the number of white blood cells per volume of blood. Be advised, however, that there is no one number that defines a "normal" or a typical WBC count.
Why is my WBC count abnormal?
Abnormal WBC Count in IBD. A WBC count could be out of the normal range due to some medications that are used to treat IBD. In particular, corticosteroids such as prednisone may cause an increase in white blood cells.
What is considered an elevated white blood cell count?
However, for adults, typically any value above around 11,000 white blood cells per microlitre of blood is considered an elevated white blood cell count.
What does it mean when your white blood count is high?
An elevated white blood cell count, also called leukocytosis, can indicate a range of health problems such as infection or a blood or bone marrow disorder.
Why does bone marrow produce white blood cells?
It begins producing extra white blood cells to fight the infection. Because infection can also lead to inflammation and white cells are produced in response to this, the inflammatory response itself can also be associated ...
Why is my white blood cell count high?
Causes of an elevated white blood cell count include infection, abnormalities in the bone marrow, smoking, chronic lung disease, immune disorders, inflammatory or allergic reactions or even physical and emotional stress. When infecting microorganisms are multiplying in the blood or tissues, the bone marrow is stimulated to increase its activity.
Is leukocytosis a disease?
On its own, leukocytosis is usually not harmful. An abnormally raised white blood cell count is not a disease condition, but can point to another underlying cause such as infection, cancer or autoimmune disorders. An abnormally high white blood cell count should always be considered for its possible causes. Not every elevated white cell count is ...
Can a white cell count be detected?
There are no symptoms that can reliably indicate the presence of a raised white cell count. Doctors will usually consider carrying out an investigation to include the blood count if the symptoms described by a patient suggest that a blood count could be helpful to make a diagnosis.
Is high white blood count asymptomatic?
High white blood cell count symptoms. Raised white blood cell count is itself asymptomatic and therefore any associated features, if present, will typically be associated with the underlying cause. For example, a leukocytosis caused by leukemia may be accompanied by fatigue, general malaise and easy bruising.