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. 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.
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Symptoms High white blood cell count. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Cerny J, et al. A high white blood cell count may indicate several things, such as the immune system is working to destroy an infection, a sign of physical or emotional stress, or particular types of cancer.
Pregnancy also leads to high white blood cell count, as levels tend to rise from the first trimester, into the third. White blood cell levels will also rise in the hours following labor, due to the severe stress the body undergoes. Meanwhile, a low white blood cell count can signal that an injury or condition is destroying cells faster than the body is making them.
It could also mean that the body is producing too few of them. While symptoms will depend on the cause of the high white blood cell count, fluctuations in white blood cell count may not cause any symptoms. Read the article in Spanish. What are red blood cell disorders? Read on to learn more about these conditions, including the different types and examples of RBC disorders.
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Very high levels usually indicate that a person has…. What are coagulation disorders? Read on to learn more about these conditions, including the different types, causes, and treatments. Poikilocytosis refers to an unusual blood cell morphology. Learn more about it, including the causes, symptoms, types, and treatment options. What to know about high white blood cell count Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, M. Types Causes Other imbalances Symptoms and diagnosis Summary White blood cells are vital components of the blood.
Other imbalances. Symptoms and diagnosis. Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, M.
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