White blood cells, commonly known as leukocytes, are one of the essential blood components in a person’s body. They consist of five major types: Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils. The main function of these cells is to fight infections and other diseases by producing antibodies.
When the count of white blood cells is normal, they perform all regular functions properly. But high white blood cells can be a major concern. Hence, in this article, we will know what are the causes and results of high white blood cells.
What are High White Blood Cells?
Although white blood cells make up only around 1% of your blood, they are valuable for the body’s immune response.
The amount of white blood cells is measured per microliter within a range. In general, men’s white blood cell counts should be between 5,000 and 10,000 per microliter of blood, while the range is 4,500-11,000 white blood cells per microliter in healthy women. And, the range is 5,000-10,000 in children.
The normal range may vary on different factors, especially in the laboratory where you are doing your test. If your white blood cell count comes higher from the lab’s standard range, it means you have high white blood cells. A high white blood cell count is mostly known as leukocytosis.
What are the Causes of High White Blood Cells?
There are many reasons behind one’s white cell counts getting high, including:
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Inflammation
- Bone marrow disorder
- Immune system disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Physical or emotional stress
- Genetic conditions
- Thyroid problems
- Certain medicines, such as corticosteroids, lithium
- Obesity
- Spleen removal
- Smoking habit
White blood cell numbers may rise also as a result of certain respiratory diseases, such as whooping cough or tuberculosis.
What are the Symptoms of High White Blood Cells?
The doctor may order either the Complete Blood Count (CBC) test or TC-WBC test If you have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Body pain
- Chills
- Sweats at night
- Swollen lymph nodes
What Happens if White Blood Cells are High?
If your WBC test results show your white blood cell levels are high, that may indicate you might have certain blood disorders. Some of these include:
Leukemia. Leukemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer that is developed due to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Myelofibrosis. Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer type that is also known as chronic leukemia. In the bone marrow, abnormal cells might gradually replace normal ones that affect the overall health condition severely.
Adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system in adults. The lymphatic system is a vital part of the immune system. The term “malignant” refers to a disease that spreads cancer cells from their origins and invades other parts of the body.
Lymphoma can start in practically any part of the body and spread to other tissues and organs, including the liver because the lymph system is prevalent throughout the body.
Additionally, the level of each particular white blood cell type can also influence the total count. As a result, your white blood cell count might be triggered as well, as given below:
Monocytes: The increased levels of monocytes may mean you have a chronic infection, cancer, an autoimmune disorder.
Lymphocytes: Neutrophilic leukocytosis is one of the diseases that may happen when you have high levels of neutrophils in the blood.
Basophils: For the elevation in basophils, people who have hypothyroidism, may be affected with viral infections or allergic reactions.
Eosinophils: High levels of eosinophils may lead to Chronic eosinophilic leukemia, parasitic infection, asthma, or allergies in a person’s body.
AmarLab offers all kinds of diagnostic tests from home. If you have relevant signs and symptoms that may indicate white blood cells disorder, your doctor may order the CBC or TC-WBC test. If you can hardly manage time to visit a clinic or diagnostic center, AmarLab is here for your help. On the other hand, for an old sick patient at home, we will take care of collecting the sample from your home.
You can always choose the lab of your choice from our lab partners. We collect samples from the patient’s home to lessen their trouble. And, our health care provider maintains proper healthcare guidelines while receiving the blood sample at the patient’s home and sending them to the preferred lab on time.
Contact us via AmarLab’s Facebook page, website or you can call our hotline number (09643445566) to order your lab tests, sitting at home.
