White blood cells, called leukocytes, are important for making sure your body stays healthy. They protect it from alien substances and fight infection. A higher-than-normal number of white blood cells is called leukocytosis. Leukocytes usually increase in number when they are doing their job, but there are some other conditions that can cause an increase. What qualifies as a normal white blood count isn't the same for everyone. A normal count
for adults is from 4,500 to 11,000 per microliter. Newborns have a much higher number — as high as 38,000. This count declines as the child grows, eventually falling to adult levels. Pregnant women have slightly higher counts. Although leukocytes are very important, they make up only about 1% of your blood. Like other blood cells, they are made in the
bone marrow. They are being created all the time because most have a very short lifespan. Some live for less than a day. There are five major types of white blood cells: When your body is under attack, the white blood cells rush to the problem area. Different types of white
blood cells have different roles in fighting invaders: Neutrophils fight bacteria, eosinophils fight parasites, monocytes fight foreign organisms and also deal with cell waste, and lymphocytes make up the immune system. The role of basophils isn't clear, but they are also involved in the immune response. Most of the time, doctors use a
complete blood count (CBC) to check for leukocytosis. A CBC can be part of a routine physical, or your doctor might use it to help diagnose a specific illness. Another test, called a white blood cell differential or "diff," is sometimes done at the same time. It supplies counts for the five main types of white blood cells. You can have a high count of all five types of cells, a few types, or just one
type — usually lymphocytes or neutrophils. A high count of these cells is sometimes associated with blood cancers. Lymphocytes are an important part of the body's defense system. They protect against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungal growth. A high count of these cells is called lymphocytic leukocytosis. Lymphocytes come in three types: B cells, T cells, and natural killer
cells. By determining which type is elevated, doctors can find out the exact cause of the high count. The most common cause of lymphocytic leukocytosis is infection with a virus. Other causes include: Two blood cancers, lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia, are associated with high numbers of lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Neutrophils, like lymphocytes, protect against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungal growth. They also play a role in healing injuries. Myeloid leukemias can cause high neutrophil counts. If doctors find a high number of immature neutrophils in the
blood, they may suspect leukemia. Doctors usually diagnose leukemia by analyzing a bone marrow sample. A serious condition can result if a person has leukemia and the number of immature neutrophils in the blood goes too high. This rare condition is called hyperviscosity syndrome, and it can happen when the blood becomes too thick. It can cause a stroke or breathing problems that could lead to death. Doctors treat this syndrome by adding fluid to the blood and using drugs to reduce the neutrophils in the blood. Non-Malignant Causes of LeukocytosisDisorders of the white blood cells can be malignant or non-malignant. The main non-malignant cause of leukocytosis is infection. A high white blood count most often signals an infection in the body, especially when there are also other symptoms. Other conditions that can cause leukocytosis include:
Malignant Causes of LeukocytosisLeukocytosis can also signal malignant disorders, especially leukemias or other blood cancers. Doctors look at several factors when considering this diagnosis. Symptoms. Fever, night sweats, and weight loss are three symptoms that suggest a malignant cause of leukocytosis. Doctors also look for evidence of bleeding or easy bruising. Fatigue may be present. Physical examination. Doctors check for swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged liver, and an enlarged spleen. They also look for petechiae, pinpoint spots caused by bleeding under the skin. Lab results. Blood cancers are the typical cause of white blood counts over 30,000 per microliter. Some of the cells may be immature. Other counts, such as red blood cells and platelets, may be low. What is the most common reason for 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 will happen if the white blood cells are high?Produced in your bone marrow, they defend your body against infections and disease. But, when there are too many white blood cells, it usually means you have infection or inflammation in your body. Less commonly, a high white blood cell count could indicate certain blood cancers or bone marrow disorders.
Is high white blood count serious?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.
Does high white blood cells mean cancer?Does a high white blood cell count indicate 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.
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What causes a white blood cell count to be high
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