Common Causes
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. This is effectively a cancerous change of the blood and bone marrow which causes significant overproduction of white blood cells.
Related Conditions
Your WBC level of 15 is a High WBC level. If your WBC is in between 4 thou/uL and 11 thou/uL, then you need not worry as 4-11 thou/uL is the normal range for WBC. But if your WBC is lesser or greater than the above values, then there may be some problem in your body.
What would cause a high white blood cell count?
Other Causes of High White Blood Cell Count
- Side effect of medication. High WBC can be a side effect of some medications. ...
- Bone marrow disorder. Having significantly elevated white blood cell counts could indicate a bone marrow disorder. ...
- Polycythemia vera. ...
What is a dangerously 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 are causes of high white blood cell count?
What are reasons white blood cell count is high?
What is the most common reason for high white blood cell count?
Leukocytosis is most commonly caused by infection or inflammation. Other high white blood cell count causes may include: Excessive physical or emotional stress (such as fever, injury or surgery).
What happen if white blood cells are high?
A high white blood cell count usually indicates: An increased production of white blood cells to fight an infection. A reaction to a drug that increases white blood cell production. A disease of bone marrow, causing abnormally high production of white blood cells.
Should I worry if my white blood count is high?
Having a high white blood cell count by itself usually is not a reason to worry. This is one of the signs that your body is fighting an infection or recovering from an illness. The chronic or serious illnesses that cause a high white cell count are often treatable with medication or other therapies.
What diseases does a high white blood cell count indicate?
A high white blood count may mean you have one of the following conditions:A bacterial or viral infection.An inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.An allergy.Leukemia or Hodgkin disease.Tissue damage from a burn injury or surgery.
What treatment if white blood cells are high?
Leukapheresis is a way of removing abnormal white blood cells from the blood. You might have this treatment if you have a very high white blood cell count. Very high numbers of leukaemia cells in the blood can cause problems with normal circulation.
How can I lower my white blood cells fast?
To lower your high white blood cell count, you should include the following in your diet: Vitamin C. Eating Vitamin C will help regulate the levels of white blood cells in your body. Fruits like lemons, oranges, and lime are rich in vitamin C, and so are papayas, berries, guavas, and pineapples.
What is an alarming WBC count?
In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
What WBC count indicates leukemia?
Effects of Too Many White Blood Cells Typically a healthy person has a white blood cell count of about 4,000-11,000. Patients with acute or even chronic leukemia may come in with a white blood cell count up into the 100,000-400,000 range.
What is the symptoms of leukemia?
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:Fever or chills.Persistent fatigue, weakness.Frequent or severe infections.Losing weight without trying.Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen.Easy bleeding or bruising.Recurrent nosebleeds.Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae)More items...
Can dehydration cause high white blood cell count?
In a person with normally functioning bone marrow, the numbers of white blood cells can double within hours if needed. An increase in the number of circulating leukocytes is rarely due to an increase in all five types of leukocytes. When this occurs, it is most often due to dehydration and hemoconcentration.
How long does WBC take to return to normal?
Based on the nature of the infection, it takes the body up to 5 to 25 days for the white blood cell count to return to normal.
Can Covid increase white blood cells?
Studies have shown more severe illness and death in people with COVID-19 who had a high WBC count.
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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 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.
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 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 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.
Why do white blood cells increase during pregnancy?
White blood cell levels increase significantly during healthy pregnancy because of the physical stress the body endures during this time . The levels start to rise within the first trimester and continue to rise into the third trimester.
What does it mean when your white blood cell count is low?
A low white blood cell count can signal that an injury or condition is destroying cells faster than the body is making them, or that the body is producing too few of them.
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.
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 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 ...
How many white blood cells are in a microliter?
Different laboratories might use different ranges. 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.
How many types of white blood cells are there?
There are five main types of white blood cells:
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.
Is a white blood cell count part of CBC?
White blood cell tests are usually part of the CBC . However, your doctor might order a white blood cell count if you have:
What is an elevated white blood cell count?
An elevated white blood cell count is called leukocytosis and can be evidence that your body is trying to fight off something. If your test results show an elevated white blood cell count, your first thought might be that something horrible is wrong with you. While many of the causes of an elevated white blood cell count are serious, ...
How old is a baby when you have a high white blood cell count?
As an infant, your white blood cell count tends to be higher, and the count steadily decreases to the age of 16. The measurements are taken per microliter or mcL. “Normal” white blood cell counts can vary from laboratory to laboratory, but they do tend to be similar.
What foods lower white blood cells?
The following foods can not only help you lower the white blood cell count, but they are also good, healthy choices alone. 1. Antioxidants. Foods high in antioxidants like carrots, blueberries, onions and garlic are great to help with the immune system. 2.
Why is my white blood count high?
Sometimes it’s a reaction to something else happening in your body. Other times, it may be caused by an underlying disease. Here's a list of some common causes of a high white blood cell count: Stress. Smoking.
What are white blood cells?
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, make up one of the four components of blood. They can rise for several reasons including stress, smoking, allergies, bacterial or viral infections, as well as certain drugs.
How many white blood cells are in a microliter?
The test will measure the number of white blood cells per microliter in your blood. The normal range for your WBC is usually 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter. Your WBC is generally considered high if it is greater than 11,000 cells per microliter.
What is the role of basophils in the immune system?
Basophils are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays a role in identifying and destroying bacteria and foreign proteins. Basophils work along with other white blood cells to defend against the invading microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Why is it important to have enough white blood cells?
They also help fight off infections and diseases, so having enough white blood cells is essential. Your white blood cell count (WBC) is the measurement of how many white blood cells are in your body. If your count is low, your immune system is less effective at fighting off bacteria, viruses, or other diseases.
What is the role of white blood cells in the body?
That doesn't mean they aren't important. They play a crucial role in the immune system. They also help fight off infections and diseases, so having enough white blood cells is essential.
What is CBC in blood work?
A complete blood count (CBC) is a calculation of the cellular makeup of blood. A CBC measures the concentration of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets in the blood, and aids in diagnosing conditions and disease such as malignancy, anemia, or blood clotting problems.
Why is my dog's white blood count high?
Other possible causes for elevated white blood count in dogs includes tick disease, pancreatitis, and some autoimmune disorders. More details can be obtained by looking at exactly what types of white blood cells are elevated through a differential blood test.
Why is my dog's leukocyte count high?
Generally a high number of leukocytes in your dogs may be indicative of your dog fighting an infection. When your dog's body detects the presence of enemies, it gathers all the troops up so that their huge numbers heighten the chances for defeating the enemy.
What does it mean when a dog has an elevated number of eosinophils?
An elevated number of eosinophils can be indicative of an allergy or the presence of parasites such as heartworms or hookworms, explains, veterinarian Dr. Smith . Eosinophils are produced in the dog's bone marrow and their main job is engulfing any foreign particles found in the dog's body. Their normal range is between 100 to 1200 per microliter.
What does it mean when a dog has a high neutrophil count?
Elevated Neutrophils in Dogs. An elevated number of neutrophils is a sign of the body trying to fight off a sudden, acute infection. The infection may be localized to the dog's intestinal tract, liver, kidneys, uterus, nervous system or blood stream, explains veterinarian Dr. Christian K.
How many white blood cells are in a dog?
The normal numbers of white blood cells in a dog may range between 6,000 and 17,000 per microliter.
What is a dog's WBC?
Your dog's white blood cells (WBC’s), often referred to as leukocytes, act as a brave company of soldiers whose main goal is to defend your dog's body from potential enemies such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. While there are several types of leukocytes, a total white blood cell count, as its name implies, shows the total of all types ...
How many neutrophils are in a dog's blood?
At times, high levels however may be also present in highly stressed dogs. The normal number of mature neutrophils range between 3,000 to 12,000 per microliter of blood while the number of young neutrophils range between 100 to 300 per microliter.
