what are the reason for an elevated white blood cell count course hero

by Nella Sanford 5 min read

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.

Full Answer

What causes a high white blood cell count?

Leukocytosis, or high white blood cell count, can indicate a range of conditions, including infections, inflammation, injury and immune system disorders. A complete blood count (CBC) is usually performed to check for leukocytosis. Treating the underlying condition usually reduces your white blood cell count.

What is considered a high white blood cell count for adults?

A white blood count is most often used to help diagnose disorders related to having a high white blood cell count or low white blood cell count. Disorders related to having a high white blood count include: Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, conditions that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues; Bacterial or viral infections

What is a white blood count and why is it important?

Nov 24, 2020 · By Mayo Clinic Staff. A high white blood cell count is usually found when your doctor orders tests to help diagnose a condition you're already experiencing. It's rarely an unexpected finding or simply discovered by chance. Talk to your doctor about what these results mean. A high white blood cell count, along with results from other tests, might already indicate …

When to see a doctor for a high white blood cell count?

The number of white blood cells (white cell count) is normally less than 11,000 cells per microliter of blood (11 × 10 9 per liter). The most common cause of an increase in the white blood cell count is. The normal response of the body to an infection. Other causes include. Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids.

What causes white blood cells to increase?

injury. emotional stress. labor. pregnancy. smoking. allergic reactions. excessive exercise . Certain respiratory illnesses, such as a whooping cough or tuberculosis, may cause the levels of white blood cells to increase. In some cases, all white blood cells are affected.

Why is white blood count important?

White blood cells are vital components of the blood. Their role is to fight infection, and they are essential for health and well-being. 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 ...

What are the different types of white blood cells?

There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: 1 Lymphocytes: These are vital for producing antibodies that help the body to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, and other threats. 2 Neutrophils: These are powerful white blood cells that destroy bacteria and fungi. 3 Basophils: These alert the body to infections by secreting chemicals into the bloodstream, mostly to combat allergies. 4 Eosinophils: These are responsible for destroying parasites and cancer cells, and they are part of an allergic response 5 Monocytes: These are responsible for attacking and breaking down germs or bacteria that enter the body.

What percentage of blood cells are white?

White blood cells make up around 1 percent of all blood cells, and they are essential to regular function in the immune system. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. The bone marrow continuously produces white blood cells.

How many white blood cells are there in the human body?

Several types of white blood cell serve different functions. Most people will produce around 100 billion white blood cells every day. There are normally between 4,000 and 11,000 cells in every microliter of blood, although this can vary according to race. There are several different types of white blood cells, each with varying responsibilities: ...

What is the term for an increase in white blood cells?

An increase in white blood cells is known as leukocytosis. It typically occurs in response to the following conditions: infection. immunosuppression. medications, including corticosteroids. a bone marrow or immune disorder. certain cancers, such as acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. inflammation. injury.

What does it mean when your monocytes are high?

Monocytes: High levels of monocytes may indicate the presence of chronic infection, an autoimmune or blood disorder, cancer, or other medical conditions. Lymphocytes: If there is an elevation in the level of lymphocytes, the condition is known as lymphocytic leukocytosis. This may occur as a result of a virus or an infection, such as tuberculosis. ...

What causes high white blood cell count?

The following conditions can cause white blood cell counts to be high: Viral or bacterial infection. Inflammation. Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury, or surgery) Burns. Immune system disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Thyroid problems.

What does a high white blood count mean?

High white blood cell count, also known as leukocytosis, can indicate a range of conditions including infections, inflammation, bodily injury and immune system disorders. A complete blood count (CBC) is usually performed to check for leukocytosis.

Where are white blood cells made?

White blood cells are the part of the blood that fight infections. All blood cells, including white blood cells, are made in the bone marrow.

What is the normal range of white blood cells?

In general, the normal range for men is 5,000-10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. For women who are not pregnant, the range is 4,500-11,000 white blood cells per microliter. For children, the range is 5,000-10,000. A type of test called a white blood cell differential (sometimes called a “diff”) might be done at the same time as ...

What are the different types of white blood cells?

There are five main types of white blood cells: Neutrophils (also called segs, PMNs, granulocytes, or grans) Lymphocytes. Monocytes.

Why do we need white blood cells?

White blood cells are part of the immune system. They help your body fight off infections and other diseases. When you get sick, your body makes more white blood cells to fight the bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substances causing your illness. This increases your white blood count.

What are the causes of low white blood cells?

Diseases that can lower your white blood count include some types of cancer and HIV/AIDS, a viral disease that attacks white blood cells. Certain medicines, including chemotherapy, may also lower the number of your white blood cells. There are five major types of white blood cells: Neutrophils. Lymphocytes.

What does it mean when your white blood count is low?

A low white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions: Bone marrow damage. This may be caused by infection, disease, or treatments such as chemotherapy. Cancers that affect the bone marrow. An autoimmune disorder, such as lupus (or SLE) HIV/AIDS.

How to take blood sample from arm?

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.

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When to see a doctor

A high white blood cell count is usually found when your doctor orders tests to help diagnose a condition you're already experiencing. It's rarely an unexpected finding or simply discovered by chance.

What is the white blood cell count?

The number of white blood cells (white cell count) is normally less than 11,000 cells per microliter of blood (11 × 10 9 per liter). The most common cause of an increase in ...

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a group of cancers that develop in white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Although there are more than 50 different disorders that can be called non-Hodgkin lymphoma, doctors sometimes group them into two broad categories: indolent lymphomas and aggressive lymphomas.

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Definition

A high white blood cell count is an increase in disease-fighting cells in your blood.

When to see a doctor

A high white blood cell count is usually found when your doctor orders tests to help diagnose a condition you're already experiencing. It's rarely an unexpected finding or simply discovered by chance.

Low oxygen levels

Your body may increase red blood cell production to compensate for any condition that results in low oxygen levels, including:

Increased red blood cell concentration

Dehydration (If the liquid component of the blood (plasma) is decreased, as in dehydration, the red blood cell count increases. This is due to the red blood cells becoming more concentrated. The actual number of red blood cells stays the same.)

Kidney disease

Rarely, in some kidney cancers and sometimes after kidney transplants, the kidneys might produce too much erythropoietin. This enhances red blood cell production.

Bone marrow overproduction

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Why is my white blood count low?

A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.

What causes low white blood cells?

White blood cells are manufactured in bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones. A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: 1 Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow 2 Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function 3 Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow 4 Autoimmune disorders that destroy white blood cells or bone marrow cells 5 Severe infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced 6 Medications, such as antibiotics, that destroy white blood cells 7 Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)

What is myelokathexis?

Myelokathexis (a congenital disorder involving failure of neutrophils to enter the bloodstream) Radiation therapy. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Tuberculosis (and other infectious diseases) Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom.

What is the treatment for CML?

Once a diagnosis of CML is confirmed, doctors will usually start tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy and discontinue hydroxyurea. Leukapheresis is a procedure that uses a machine similar to a dialysis machine to remove white blood cells from the circulating blood.

Can high WBC count cause damage?

Some patients may have very high white blood cell (WBC) counts at the time of diagnosis. These elevated WBC counts can sometimes impair blood flow to the brain, lungs, eyes and other sites, and also cause damage in small blood vessels.