Normal ranges for different types of white blood cells are: Neutrophils: 55 to 70 percent Lymphocytes: 20 to 40 percent
Full Answer
What is the normal value of white blood cell count?
White blood cell (WBC) normal range: Adult: 5,000-10,000/mL When should I call my doctor? Your provider will review the results of your CBC with you. If you have questions about the results, call your provider. A note from Cleveland Clinic Healthcare providers use complete blood counts to manage disease and help you stay healthy.
How to achieve a high white blood cell count?
- Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
- Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)
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:
What is good white blood cell count?
What is a normal white blood cell count? It is normal for you to produce nearly 100 billion white blood cells each day. After completing a blood draw, a test counts your white blood cells, which equals number of cells per microliter of blood. The normal white blood cell count ranges between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter.
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What are normal white blood cell counts?
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. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about your test results.
What level of white blood cells is high?
High white blood cell (WBC) count Though it varies between individuals, a high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) is usually considered to be anything above 11,000 cells per μl of blood in an adult. This can be related to: Infection. Bone marrow disease.
What is a worrisome white blood count?
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.
Is high white blood count serious?
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.
When should I be worried about high WBC?
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 3800 a low white blood count?
In general, for adults a count lower than 4,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood is considered a low white blood cell count.
Is 3.5 white blood cell count low or normal?
A white blood cell count of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low. Sometimes a low white blood cell count is something you are born with (a genetic condition), which may or may not be a cause for concern.
What infections cause white blood cells to be high?
A high white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions:A bacterial or viral infection.An inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.An allergy.Leukemia or Hodgkin disease.Tissue damage from a burn injury or surgery.
What is a WBC count?
[1] A white blood cell (WBC) count measures the amount of white blood cells in a sample of a person’s blood.
How many white blood cells are in a woman's blood during pregnancy?
[6] During delivery and in the hours that follow, the white blood cell count range can be anywhere between 9,000 and 25,000 white blood cells per μl of blood.
How many WBCs are in a human body?
The normal range for a white blood cell count in a healthy adult is between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter (μl or mcL) or cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood, though this may differ between males and females, ...
How many WBCs are in a microliter of blood?
A: For an adult, a healthy WBC count is considered to be between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood. This is on average – some healthy individuals may have a higher or lower count.
What causes low WBC?
Low white blood cell (WBC) count 1 Viral or bacterial infection 2 Diminished bone marrow function 3 Cancer 4 Autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS 5 Leukemia 6 Lupus 7 Tuberculosis 8 Cancer treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy, as well as other medications 9 Aplastic anemia
What does white blood cells do?
White blood cells also defend the body from allergens, mutated cells, such as cancer, and foreign matter, such as splinters, and remove dead cells, old red blood cells and other debris. [1] A white blood cell count checks both the overall levels of white blood cells in the blood, as well as the overall proportion of different types ...
What causes low white blood cells?
A low white blood cell count can be caused by issues including: Cancer treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy, as well as other medications. A low white blood cell count may cause symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and bodyache.
What does a low WBC count mean?
A low or high WBC count can point to a blood disorder or other medical condition.
What does it mean when your WBC is higher than normal?
Having a higher or lower number of WBCs than normal may indicate an underlying condition. A WBC count can detect hidden infections within your body and alert doctors to undiagnosed medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and blood disorders.
How many WBCs are normal for a newborn?
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center (UMRC), these are the normal ranges of WBCs per microliter of blood (mcL): Age range. WBC count (per mcL of blood) newborns. 9,000 to 30,000.
Why is my WBC low?
inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and bowel disease. stress. exercise. tissue damage. pregnancy. allergies. asthma. some medications, such as corticosteroids. After diagnosing the cause of a high or low WBC count and recommending a treatment plan, your doctor will periodically recheck your WBCs.
How to prepare for WBC?
A WBC count requires no specific preparation. You simply schedule an appointment with your doctor or set up an appointment at a local medical laboratory. Certain medications can interfere with your lab results and either lower or increase your WBC count.
What is a WBC test?
A white blood cell (WBC) count is a test that measures the number of white blood cells in your body. This test is often included with a complete blood count (CBC). The term “white blood cell count” is also used more generally to refer to the number of white blood cells in your body. There are several types of white blood cells, ...
What are the cells that fight infections called?
WBCs, also called leukocytes, are an important part of the immune system. These cells help fight infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and germs that invade the body. White blood cells originate in the bone marrow but circulate throughout the bloodstream. There are five major types of white blood cells: neutrophils.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 the most common white blood cell?
Neutrophils: By far the most common white blood cells, and the first line of defense against disease. Neutrophils destroy bacteria and fungi with a series of enzymes and turn into pus when they die in battle. In normal settings, they represent 60 to 70% of the total white blood count.
Why is white blood count important?
The white blood count is very important because these cells have a key role in defending your body against infection. White blood cell creation and release in the blood are triggered and stimulated during infection. A functioning immune system will respond against disease by increasing the total count of white blood cells.
What are the different types of white blood cells?
To understand white blood cell count, it is important to know what it measures. There are 5 main types of white blood cells. They are: 1 Basophils: It is less abundant compared to other white blood cells, and they are typically responsible for allergic reactions. The normal proportion of basophils is 0.5% of the total number of white blood cells. 2 Eosinophils: They are mainly phagocytic cells, which means they are attracted and swallow microorganisms to destroy them. These cells are usually found as 1 to 3% of the total number of white blood cells. 3 Lymphocytes: There are many types of lymphocytes, but all of them look the same under the microscope and are counted as a total lymphocyte count. They are very abundant in the blood, representing up to 30% of the total number of white blood cells. 4 Monocytes: They are also known as macrophages when they migrate to the tissues, but in the blood, they are called monocytes. These represent up to 8% of the total number of white blood cells. 5 Neutrophils: By far the most common white blood cells, and the first line of defense against disease. Neutrophils destroy bacteria and fungi with a series of enzymes and turn into pus when they die in battle. In normal settings, they represent 60 to 70% of the total white blood count.
What percentage of white blood cells are basophils?
The normal proportion of basophils is 0.5% of the total number of white blood cells.
Overview
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are responsible for protecting your body from infection. As part of your immune system, white blood cells circulate in your blood and respond to injury or illness.
Function
White blood cells protect your body against infection. As your white blood cells travel through your bloodstream and tissues, they locate the site of an infection and act as an army general to notify other white blood cells of their location to help defend your body from an attack of an unknown organism.
Anatomy
Your white blood cells are in your bloodstream and travel through blood vessel walls and tissues to locate the site of an infection.
Conditions and Disorders
If you have a low white blood cell count, you are likely to get infections ( leukopenia ). If your white blood cell count is too high ( leukocytosis ), you may have an infection or an underlying medical condition like leukemia, lymphoma or an immune disorder.
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 ...
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.
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 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 Is A White Blood Cell (WBC) Count?
- Healthy blood contains a certain percentage of white blood cells (WBCs, leukocytes or leucocytes) which, as part of the body’s immune system, help the body fight infection. A white blood cell (WBC) count measures the amount of white blood cells in a sample of a person’s blood. The number of white blood cells in the body differs between individuals or at different ages in th…
White Blood Cells
- There are several kinds of white blood cells (WBCs), including neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils. Each variety plays a different role in protecting the body from foreign pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.White blood cells also defend the body from allergens, mutated cells, such as cancer, and foreign matter, such as splin…
Test Procedure
- To carry out a white blood cell count, a doctor will draw a blood sample, usually from a vein in the arm or the back of the hand. This is a common procedure, and side effects are rare, but may include lightheadedness, bleeding or infection. No special preparation is required for a white blood cell count, but a person should inform their doctor of any medications they are taking, as t…
White Blood Cell Count FAQs
- Q: What is a healthy white blood cell (WBC) count? A:For an adult, a healthy WBC count is considered to be between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter of blood. This is on average – some healthy individuals may have a higher or lower count. Q: What is leukocytosis? A: Leukocytosis is the condition of having an abnormally high WBC count. In most ca...
Purpose of The Test
Normal Reference Range of Values
- No hard-and-fast number defines what a "normal" WBC count is. Instead, the results are reported in relation to the normal expected range of values within a population. Anything below this range is low, and anything above this range is considered high.3 Labs can also differ in defining a high or a low WBC count. So, it is possible to have a normal W...
Interpreting Results
- The WBC count isn't specific enough to diagnose any particular disease. Abnormal values are simply an indication that something may be wrong and what the possible causes may be. If your WBC count is high, you have what is called leukocytosis. Among some of the possible causes of leukocytosis are:7 1. A bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection 2. Inflammatory conditions 3. Burn…
Follow-Up Tests
- If your WBC count is abnormal, your healthcare provider may order additional tests depending on your symptoms and medical history. These may include tests to see if you have: 1. An infection: Your healthcare provider may order a urinalysis, for example, if they think you have a urinary tract infection. If they believe you have a viral infection, they might contain a polymerase chain reactio…
Summary
- White blood cells help fight infection and inflammation. A white blood cell (WBC) count measures the number of white blood cells in a sample of blood. Many conditions, including infections, medications, inflammatory diseases, and blood or bone marrow disorders, can cause an abnormal WBC count. The WBC count is measured in a reference range of values by the number of blood c…
A Word from Verywell
- It's important to discuss your WBC count results—and any other test you undergo—with your doctor to understand what they mean. Doing so allows you to make informed choices about your health. It is also important not to jump to conclusions if you see a "high" or "low" notation on your WBC count results. It is only by comparing the test results to different blood test values that a h…