What is White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test? What is High and Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Count ? Causes & Treatment?
- Health Garden
- Mar 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 18, 2024
White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in blood test is a test that shows the number of white blood cells in your blood.
White blood cells (WBC) are blood cells that help your body fight bacteria, viruses, and foreign microorganisms. Therefore, when your body encounters harmful microorganisms, it increases white blood cell (WBC) production and high WBC is seen in the blood test. They are also called leukocytes.
A low WBC indicates that your body is not producing enough white blood cells. The consequences of low WBC are as important as the causes.
There are 5 types of white blood cells (WBC): Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils.
What is A Normal White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test ?
The normal White Blood Cell (WBC) Count value in blood is 4,500 to 11,000 per microliter for adults. The normal number of white cells in the blood may vary depending on age and gender.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. The reference values of the laboratory where the test is performed must be taken into account.
What is High White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test?
A high WBC in a blood test is a value above 11,000 per microliter for adults.
High WBC is called leukocytosis.
If the WBC level is high in a blood test, the body has increased white blood cell production for some reason.
What Causes High White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test?
Common causes of high WBC include:
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (conditions that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues)
Bacterial or viral infections
Cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin's disease
Allergic reactions
Drug-related reaction
Some bone marrow diseases
Burns
Pregnancy
High WBC During Pregnancy
High WBC is a common condition in pregnant women. While a healthy person has between 4,500 and 11,000 leukocytes in 1 mm3 of blood, this value may increase to 6,000 to 17,000 during pregnancy. However, increased WBC during pregnancy usually returns to normal about four weeks after birth.
High White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Symptoms
If the cause of high WBC is an infection, the following symptoms may be seen:
Fever
Chills
Body aches
Headache
Symptoms often depend on the causative disease
How to Treat High White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Level?
Factors causing high WBC are identified and treatment is arranged accordingly. In addition, treatments can be applied to reduce symptoms such as fever, fatigue and pain. Treatment can be helped by paying attention to lifestyle and diet.
What is Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test?
A low WBC in a blood test is a value below 4,500 per microliter for adults.
If the WBC value is low in a blood test, it means that the body is not producing enough white blood cells. This is called leukopenia.
In this case, the body cannot adequately fight the harmful microorganisms and the risk of infection is high.
What Causes Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Count in Blood Test?
Causes of low WBC include:
Bone Marrow Problems:
Bone marrow is responsible for the production of blood cells. The underlying cause of low leukocyte count is mostly bone marrow problems. Bone marrow failure and cancer are the main causes. Cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy and radiation can also disrupt the bone marrow's production of WBC.
Autoimmune Disorders:
Some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause the body to attack and destroy its own white blood cells.
Infection:
Viruses can affect your bone marrow and cause low white blood cell counts. Blood infections can cause the body to use leukocytes faster than normal.
Medications:
Some medications and antibiotics can suppress leukocyte production
Nutrition:
Malnutrition or low levels of vitamins such as folic acid and B12 can affect the way the body produces leukocytes. Excessive alcohol consumption can reduce the number of leukocytes in your body.
Spleen Problems:
The spleen is also responsible for WBC production. Due to infections, blood clots, and other problems, the spleen may swell and function differently than normal, causing a low white blood cell count. Enlargement of the spleen causes low WBC.
Diseases such as viral diseases, liver diseases, malaria and tuberculosis are also the main causes of low WBC.
Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Symptoms
High fever
Chills
Throat Pain
Sores in the mouth
Cough
Shortness of breath
Skin rashes
Tiredness
Diarrhea
Pain during urination
In addition, the most common symptom of low WBC can be expressed as frequent infections. Apart from this, depending on the underlying cause, body and bone pain, joint pain, bruising and bleeding may also be observed.
How to Treat Low White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Level?
For treatment, the factor causing the deficiency must first be found and then a treatment plan must be created. If it is caused by a viral disease, WBC counts return to normal once treatment for the disease is completed. If it is caused by a problem in the immune system, treatment can be drawn using immune system boosting drugs. If it occurs as a side effect of a drug, the drug should be discontinued and blood values should be monitored. If the cause is due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, a break should be taken for a while and the values should be allowed to return to normal. In addition to these treatment methods, it is also important for the patient to follow a healthy nutrition plan and not overexert himself.