There are normally between 4, and 11, white blood cells in every microliter of blood, although this can vary according to sex, age, and race. 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. An increase in white blood cells is known as leukocytosis.
It typically occurs in response to the following conditions:. Certain respiratory conditions, such as a whooping cough or tuberculosis , may cause the levels of white blood cells to increase.
In some cases, all white blood cells become affected. However, some people have a specific disease in which only one type of white blood cell is affected. If levels of one particular type of white blood cell increase, this may be due to a specific trigger:.
There is, on occasion, no identifiable cause for the increase in white blood cells. This is known as idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.
It can lead to serious complications, such as damage to the heart, lung, liver, skin, and nervous system. White blood cell levels increase significantly during healthy pregnancy because of the physical stress the body endures during this time.
The levels start to rise within the first trimester and continue to rise into the third trimester. During labor and in the hours following delivery, white blood cell levels may surge again, to between 9, and 25, white blood cells in every microliter of blood.
This is in response to the physical stresses and trauma of labor. Within 6—8 weeks of delivery, white blood cells return to their normal levels.
A doctor may use a blood test to determine levels of white blood cells. If levels of white blood cells are lower than usual, this may be a sign that the person has reduced immune activity.
This can occur as a result of conditions similar to HIV , or immunosuppressant medications. A deficiency of white blood cells is why people with conditions or medications that suppress the immune system have an increased risk of infection.
A number of conditions, collectively known as myeloproliferative disorders, can occur in the bone marrow. 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. Example of High white blood cell count. As with all blood count reference ranges, what is considered a high white blood cell count varies from one laboratory to another and depends upon both the laboratory equipment in use and the demography of the population.
However, for adults, typically any value above around 11, white blood cells per microlitre of blood is considered an elevated white blood cell count. 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.
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 with an increase in white blood cell count. This article will take an in-depth look at some of the types, symptoms, and causes of leukocytosis, along with how to treat and prevent it.
Each form of leukocytosis is linked with several health conditions :. When you have very high levels of white blood cells in your body, they can cause your blood to become very thick, which can impair blood flow. This can lead to a condition called hyperviscosity syndrome. This condition can cause several serious issues, including :. Leukocytosis can also cause other symptoms.
Some common symptoms include :. Keep in mind that you may not experience any symptoms if your leukocytosis is caused by stress or a reaction to a medication.
Some of the common causes of neutrophilia include :. These levels typically increase slowly throughout pregnancy. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the WBC count is usually between 5, and 13, per microliter of blood. Not only that, but the stress caused by labor and delivery can also increase levels of white blood cells. The WBC count also remains slightly above normal for a while after the baby is born and is usually around 12, per microliter of blood.
If you have WBC counts between 50, and , per microliter of blood, it may mean that you have a severe infection, organ rejection, or a solid tumor. Very high WBC counts over , generally only occur with conditions like leukemia or other types of blood and bone marrow cancer. Three different types of tests are commonly used to help determine why you may have increased levels of white blood cells:. The treatment for leukocytosis can vary depending on its specific cause.
Some of the most common treatment options include :. If you have hyperviscosity syndrome, treatment may involve the use of intravenous fluids and medications to help quickly decrease your WBC levels and improve blood flow.
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