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.
What is the normal range for white cell count?
White blood cells are measured in the number per microliter, and a “normal” count is generally a range. Different laboratories might use different ranges. In general, the normal range for men is 5,000-10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. For women who are not pregnant, the range is 4,500-11,000 white blood cells per microliter.
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 the normal range for white blood cell?
The normal white blood cell count ranges between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter. What are common tests to check the number of white blood cells? A complete blood count (CBC) test identifies information about the cells in your blood.
What is an alarming white blood cell count?
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.
Is 3.6 white blood count normal?
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.
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.
Does white blood cell count 2.5 mean?
If a person has too many—or too few—white blood cells in the body, it may mean that there is a disorder of some kind. A white blood cell count of less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood is considered low.
How low is too low for white blood cells?
The definition of low white blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. 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. For children, that threshold varies with age.
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.
What happen if white blood cells are high?
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 white blood cells counts.
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.
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.
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 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 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 is the threshold for low WBC?
The threshold for a low white blood cell count (leukopenia) varies between individuals and cases, but is generally considered to be anything lower than 4,000 white blood cells per μl of blood in an adult . A low white blood cell count can be caused by issues including:
What is the medical term for white blood cells?
WBC is: a medical term for “white blood cells”, white cells also called “Leucocytes”. Leucocytes is a general medical term for many blood cells that differ in their morphology and specific function, however all WBCs are made for body defense against microbes.
What does WBC mean at birth?
What does Normal WBC count mean? Normal WBC count at birth is the highest count during the human life, this is due to activity of bone marrow at birth and to immunize the neonate upon birth, see normal CBC value in newborn, normal count range of white blood cells continue to be low as we go in the age until puberty, ...
What causes low white blood cells?
Infections or other problems that cause abnormally low white blood cell count or high white blood cell count. Several types of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma. Side effects of chemotherapy and some prescription medications. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
What is CBC blood test?
Complete Blood Count. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test. It gives your provider information about your blood and overall health. CBCs help providers diagnose, monitor and screen for a wide range of diseases, conditions, disorders and infections.
What is CBC in healthcare?
A CBC gives your provider a picture of your overall health. Using a small amount of blood, a CBC can help detect hundreds of conditions, disorders and infections. It allows your provider to monitor your health, screen for disease and plan and adjust treatment.
What does differential mean in blood work?
The differential looks at how many of each kind of white blood cell you have. Hemoglobin tests measure hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hematocrit describes the concentration of red blood cells in your blood. A CBC tells your provider: How many new blood cells your body is creating.
Why do we need CBCs?
With one sample of blood, CBCs can help screen for hundreds of disorders, conditions and infections. A CBC can detect conditions early, sometimes before you have symptoms, so treatment can start as soon as possible. CBCs are an essential tool in maintaining good overall health.
What does CBC mean in medical terms?
Providers use this test to screen for diseases and adjust treatments. A CBC measures and counts your blood cells. Your provider takes a sample of your blood and sends it to a lab.
What does CBC test show?
What does a CBC detect? A CBC blood test can help your provider diagnose a wide range of conditions, disorders, diseases and infections, including: Anemia (when there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body). Bone marrow disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes.
Purpose of The Test
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…
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...