Leukocytosis- Increased Number of White Blood Cells
Blood is a liquid connective tissue made from different types of blood cells and a liquid, called plasma. The major function of blood is to carry oxygen and essential nutrients to all parts of the body.
There are three types of blood cells:
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes),
- White blood cells
- Platelets.
White blood cells, also called Leukocytes, are the main cells of the immune system. They fight invading harmful organisms like bacteria and viruses and protect the body against infections.
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. They are colorless and asymmetrical in shape. They have a short lifespan, from few days to few weeks. Their count is considered as an important criteria to diagnose various health conditions.
The normal count of leukocytes is 4,000-11,000/mm3. The average count is 7,000/mm3. If the leukocyte count is below 4,000, then the condition is known as leukopenia. There may be decrease in the percentage of each type of leukocytes. For example, decrease in the number of neutrophils is known as neutropenia. If the count is higher than 11,000, then it is referred to as leukocytosis. There may be increase in each type of white blood cells like neutrophilia, eosinophilia, basophilia, monocytosis and lymphocytosis.
Causes of Leukocytosis
An elevated white blood cell count can arise due to many medical reasons. High WBC count usually means there is increase in production of these cells to fight a possible infection. It may also means it is a reaction to a drug that helps in improving the WBC production. Various medical conditions exhibiting leukocytosis are:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia
- Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- Allergic reaction
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia
- Drugs, such as corticosteroids and epinephrine
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Hemolytic anemia, which includes sickle cell anemia
- Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Infection such sinus infection or bladder infection
- Inflammation due to a burn, skin rash or other tissue damage
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Measles
- Myelofibrosis
- Other bacterial infections
- Other viral infections
- Physical or emotional stress
- Polycythemia vera
- Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Smoking
- Surgical spleen removal
- Tuberculosis
- Whooping cough
High WBCs in urine may also mean a number of conditions like a urinary tract infection, bladder infection,kidney infection, kidney stones or tumor.
High white blood cell count in children may indicate whooping cough, bacterial or viral infection, measles, allergy or leukemia.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the underlying cause. High WBC may mean either of the conditions mentioned in the list. After diagnosis of high WBC count, the doctor may have a look at your medical history and carry out further tests and investigations to reach a diagnosis. When the tests indicate the correct cause of high WBC, he will advice the appropriate line of treatment.
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Age 29 female
Had CBC, bone profile, kidney liver tests and everything was in range apart from the following:
Platelet 579
Red cell count 5.7
MCV 75.7
Mch 23.8
RBC distribution 15.1
Alp 150
Esr 27
Vit D deficiency
Please could you tell me what this can indicate ( I am overweight, have IBS and possibly pcos but otherwise have no known medical issues and no symptoms apart from occasional leg ache or headache).
Many thanks
Vitamin D levels need to be attended immediately. This would improve your leg ache and even headache.
Rest other parameters are more or less normal. Difficult to comment without physical exam.