
What does it mean if your monocyte levels are high?
Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Some conditions that may attribute to a high monocyte count include: Viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, and measles.
What can cause elevated monocytes?
Why do blood monocyte levels elevate?
- High levels of monocytes due to infection. This is the most common cause. ...
- Inflammatory diseases. These cells may also be an indication that there’s an inflammatory process in the body. This is the case of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Blood neoplasms. The blood cells may also experience neoplastic processes. ...
What causes elevated monocytes?
The following are some of the conditions that may be risk factors for elevated monocyte levels:
- viral infections, such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, and measles
- parasitic infections
- bacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB)
- chronic inflammatory disease
- autoimmune diseases Trusted Source , such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease
What does it mean when your monocytes are high?
Your monocyte level and overall white blood count are likely to rise in response to:
- acute stress
- blood disorders
- immune response
- infection
- inflammation

What does it mean if your monocytes are high?
A high monocyte count is a potential sign of many different medical conditions. It's often linked to infectious diseases like mononucleosis or an autoimmune disease like lupus. Some medications can cause monocytosis. It's also linked to conditions such as blood disorders and certain cancers.
What indicates mono in a blood test?
Monospot test (heterophil test). A sample of blood is placed on a microscope slide and mixed with other substances. If heterophil antibodies are present, the blood clumps (agglutinates). This result usually indicates a mono infection.
Should I be concerned if my monocytes are high?
If you have a high monocyte count, it's likely due to an infection or another medical cause. If your monocytes are elevated due to an infection, they will get back to normal levels when the infection resolves. If they are elevated due to a medical condition, you would need medical treatment.
What is the normal range for mono blood test?
They can be referred to as absolute monocytes or “monocytes (absolute)” in blood test results when a count of monocytes is reported. The typical percentage range of each type of white blood cell is: Monocytes: 2 to 8 percent (100 to 700 per mm3, or cells per cubic millimeter) Basophils: 0.5 to 1 percent.
Is mono an STD?
Is Mono Considered an STD? In cases where it is passed through sexual contact, mono can be considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD), although mono is more often spread through contact with saliva. EBV is a member of the herpes virus family, along with the viruses that cause herpes and chickenpox.
What is mono caused by?
Infectious mononucleosis, also called “mono,” is a contagious disease. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis, but other viruses can also cause this disease.
What level of monocytes indicate leukemia?
A common sign of CMML is a high number of monocytes, greater than 1,000 per microliter. Other signs include low numbers of other white blood cells, red blood cells, and blood platelets.
Can stress cause high monocytes?
Acute stress increases monocyte levels and modulates receptor expression in healthy females.
Do monocytes increase in Covid?
Furthermore, increased proliferation of monocytes derived from patients with severe COVID-19 after in vitro challenge with lipopolysaccharide was discussed as an indicator for a release of immature myeloid cells from the bone marrow reminiscent of emergency myelopoiesis (137) and contributing to innate immune ...
What are the stages of mono?
Stages of MonoThe prodrome stage. Mono infection occurs in three stages. ... The acute phase. The acute phase, which can last for 2 to 6 days, is when the symptoms begin to worsen. ... The convalescent stage. The last stage is the convalescent or recovery stage, which can last from 2 to 6 months.
What cancers cause low monocytes?
Cancers that invade the bone marrow, such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), or diseases that affect bone marrow function, can also cause a low monocyte count.
Is mono caused by a virus?
Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, is one of the most common human viruses in the world. It spreads primarily through saliva. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis, also called mono, and other illnesses. Most people will get infected with EBV in their lifetime and will not have any symptoms.
What labs are elevated with mono?
If you have mono, you may have a high level of a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte in your blood. Your immune system also will make certain types of antibodies (heterophile antibodies) to fight off the EBV. These antibodies will also appear in your blood if you have mono.
What labs are abnormal with mono?
Liver function tests (LFTs) are abnormal in more than 90% of patients with infectious mononucleosis. Serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels usually are modestly elevated.
Does mono cause high white blood cell count?
Symptoms usually appear within four to six weeks after exposure and ease in one to two months. If you have mono, you may have a high level of a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte in your blood. Your immune system also will make heterophile antibodies to fight off the EBV.
What is considered a high EBV level?
According to the manufacturer's recommendations, EBNA-1 IgG levels <5 U/ml were considered negative, levels between 5–20 U/ml were considered equivocal, and levels ≥20 U/ml were considered positive.
What Are Monocytes in Blood Test?
Complete blood count (CBC) tests check the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets to evaluate your general health. Doctors fro...
Absolute Monocyte Count vs. Relative Monocyte Count
The monocyte count in the differential blood test is given as a percentage of the total white blood cell count – this is called relative monocyte c...
What Are Low, Normal and High Monocytes in Lab Test Results?
The average number of monocytes as part of your white blood cell count is measured in cells/liter.According to Dr. Hina Naushad on Medscape, the no...
Symptoms of Abnormal Mono Levels
Although having high or low monocyte levels show up in a blood test won’t produce any symptoms themselves, you may show signs of the cause of abnor...
Causes of Low Mono Levels
There are various reasons why blood test results show a low monocyte count. Let’s look in more detail at some of these reasons.
Causes of High Monocyte Count
Because infections and inflammation cause your immune system to send out white blood cells to destroy germs and microbes, a high monocyte count is...
What to Do If Mono Levels Are Low Or High
Many people wonder how they can make monocyte levels normal and treat the symptoms of high or low monocytes. Most of the time, it’s necessary to ad...
How to detect mono?
Mono can also be detected through a test called the Monospot test, or heterophile test. This test is also a blood test, but instead of EBV antibodies, it looks for heterophile antibodies, which can also be seen in conditions other than mono. 1 The Monospot test can detect the antibodies for two to nine weeks after infection. 3
How long does it take for EBV results to come out?
Your EBV antibody test results should be available within three days. The results can show if you are susceptible to mono, meaning you don’t have the antibodies. If you are currently infected with EBV or have been infected with it in the past, you should test positive for antibodies. 2
What to bring to EBV test?
When going to the EBV test, make sure to bring a valid insurance card and personal identification. Also, make sure to bring any forms that the doctor may have provided to you when ordering the test.
How long does it take to get an EBV test?
Blood tests like the EBV test typically only take five to 10 minutes. However, you may want to arrive early at the lab if there are forms to fill out, such as a brief medical history or consent form to have your blood drawn.
What to ask a doctor for an EBV test?
Once the doctor decides to send you to get an EBV test, they might ask if you are taking any medications to make sure you aren’t on something that may affect the test results. Your doctor may also ask if you have had any complications with previous blood tests, such as fainting, so they can be prepared.
What is the Epstein-Barr test?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) test is a screening tool to check for antibodies in a person’s blood. Epstein-Barr virus is a common cause of mononucleosis (mono); therefore, this test could be used to help diagnose the infection.
How long does it take for mono to show up in blood test?
A doctor can use the EBV blood test when a patient has signs of mono, which can show up anywhere between four to six weeks after the initial infection. 1
What are Monocytes in Blood Test?
Doctors from the National Institutes of Health say that monocytes are a type of immune cell that develops in the bone marrow. Monocytes travel through the blood to tissues in the body where they can become macrophages or dendritic cells. 1
What causes low monocytes?
A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause low absolute monocyte count in a regular complete blood cell count lab test. If the low mono count is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency you will also show signs of anemia like lack of energy, brain fog, muscle weakness, or mood swings.
Why is a high monocyte count more common than a low monocyte count?
Because infections and inflammation cause your immune system to send out white blood cells to destroy germs and microbes, a high monocyte count is often more common than low monocyte levels.
Why do monocytes increase?
Scientists have found that the increase in monocyte levels due to inflammation happens as more white blood cells are produced to repair damaged tissue. This can result in a persistently high monocyte blood count as the immune system tries to combat chronic inflammation. 20
Why do monocytes drop?
Some acute viral infections can cause your monocyte levels to drop because the virus affects monocyte production.
Why is my monocyte count low?
Low monocytes in a blood test result may be accompanied by unexplained weight loss. This is also often a symptom of leukemia, and doctors will need to perform additional tests to find the cause of low mono count along with weight loss.
What does it mean when your blood test shows high monocytes?
Interestingly, severe mood swings and depression could mean that blood test results show high monocyte levels. According to the Journal of Psychiatric Research, elevated white blood cell count, including monocytes, is often seen in lab test results of people who suffer from depression. 7
What are mononucleosis (mono) tests?
Mononucleosis (mono) is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of mono, but other viruses can also cause the disease.
What are they used for?
Mono tests are used to help diagnose a mono infection. Your provider may use a monospot to get fast results. Results are usually ready within an hour. But this test has a high rate of false negatives. So monospot tests are often ordered with an EVB antibody test and other tests that look for infections. These include:
What happens during a mono test?
You will need to provide a sample of blood from your fingertip or from a vein.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You don't any special preparations for a fingertip blood test or blood test from a vein.
What do the results mean?
If monospot test results were positive, it may mean you or your child has mono. If it was negative, but you or your child still has symptoms, your health care provider will probably order an EBV antibody test.
Is there anything else I need to know about mono tests?
But as of now, researchers have not found any evidence to show this is true. So monospot and EBV tests are not used to diagnose or monitor CFS.
What does it mean if you have an EBV test negative?
If your EBV test was negative, it means you don't currently have an EBV infection and were never infected with the virus. A negative result means your symptoms are probably caused by another disorder. If your EBV test was positive, it means EBV antibodies were found in your blood.
How is mononucleosis spread?
Mononucleosis is usually caused by EBV. The virus is spread through direct contact with saliva from the mouth of an infected person or other bodily fluids , such as blood. It’s also spread through sexual contact and organ transplantation.
What is mononucleosis?
Mono, or infectious mononucleosis, refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It typically occurs in teenagers, but you can get it at any age. The virus is spread through saliva, which is why some people refer to it as “the kissing disease.”. Many people develop EBV infections as children after age 1.
How long does mono last?
It lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. The signs and symptoms of mono typically last for 1 to 2 months. The incubation period may be shorter in young children.
What are the symptoms of mono?
Age is one of the main factors for diagnosing mono along with the most common symptoms: fever, sore throat, and swollen glands.
What is the most common virus in the world?
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family. According to the CDC, it’s one of the most common viruses to infect humans around the world.
How long does it take for a swollen tonsil to go away?
The infection is typically not serious and usually goes away on its own in 1 to 2 months. Other symptoms may include: a headache. fatigue. muscle weakness. a rash consisting of flat pink or purple spots on your skin or in your mouth. swollen tonsils. night sweats.
What does a high lymphocyte count mean?
For example, a high lymphocyte count often indicates an infection .
What are Monocytes?from thehealthyapron.com
These are a form of white blood cells created in the bone marrow. ( 1)
What does it mean if your Monocytes (Absolute) result is too low?from healthmatters.io
Low monocyte count, called monocytopenia, is caused by anything that decreases the overall white blood cell count , such as:
What are Monocytes in Blood Test?from healthyandnaturalworld.com
Doctors from the National Institutes of Health say that monocytes are a type of immune cell that develops in the bone marrow. Monocytes travel through the blood to tissues in the body where they can become macrophages or dendritic cells. 1
What causes low monocytes?from healthline.com
A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause low absolute monocyte count in a regular complete blood cell count lab test. If the low mono count is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency you will also show signs of anemia like lack of energy, brain fog, muscle weakness, or mood swings.
What causes low monocytes in the bone marrow?from healthmomma.com
Rheumatoid arthritis: It is also an auto-immune condition that causes joints inflammation and adversely affects bone marrow functions. Abnormal working of the bone marrow then causes low monocytes.
Why do people have high monocytes?from healthline.com
High absolute monocyte count. The body may make more monocytes once an infection is detected or if the body has an autoimmune disease. If you have an autoimmune disease, cells such as monocytes go after healthy cells in your body by mistake. People with chronic infections tend to have elevated levels of monocytes, too.
What is CBC in medical?from healthline.com
A standard complete blood count (CBC) will include a monocyte count. If you have an annual physical that includes regular blood work, a CBC is fairly standard. In addition to checking your white blood cell count (including monocytes), a CBC checks for: 1 red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your organs and other tissue 2 platelets, which help clot the blood and prevent bleeding complications 3 hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells 4 hematocrit, a ratio of red blood cells to plasma in your blood
What does high mono on blood test mean?
Mononucleosis: An infection where neck gland become enlarged, fever, weakness and is easily treated.
How to know if you have mono?
The only way to know if you have mono is to go the doctor and have a blood test for mono. It is a virus; there is no abtc tx for mono.
What is the term for the elevation of a cell relative to a lymphocyte?
Nothing specific: The monocytes are a form of white cell, cousin to the lymphocyte, that often increases their relative number in a variety of infectious conditions. Mononucleosis is a lay term for the elevation when it occurs with an EB virus infection .Other viruses and some bacteria can trigger the same relative increase in monocytes.
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What does it mean when your monocytes are high?
When your monocyte level is high — known as monocytosis — it means your body is fighting something. Some conditions that can cause an increase in the monocytes in your blood are: viral infections, such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, and measles. parasitic infections. chronic inflammatory disease.
What is the most common sign of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia?
chronic inflammatory disease. tuberculosis (TB), a chronic respiratory disease caused by a type of bacteria. Having too many monocytes is also the most common sign of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. This is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that produce blood in bone marrow.
How many types of white blood cells are there?
There are five types of white blood cells, each with a specific purpose. Your bone marrow produces monocytes and releases them into your bloodstream. Once they reach tissues in your body, they’re called macrophages. There, they isolate and gobble up germs and other harmful microorganisms.
Why is monocyte count higher?
A recent study suggests a higher monocyte count may be related to cardiovascular disease, and that early detection of increased monocytes could help assess heart health management. More large-scale research is needed to confirm this.
How long do white blood cells live?
White blood cells typically only live for 1 to 3 days, so your bone marrow is constantly producing more.
Why are monocytes important?
Monocytes, along with other types of white blood cells, are a vital part of your immune system. They help protect you against infection and illness. If your monocytes are higher than they should be, your doctor will work with you to find the cause and start any treatments that may be necessary.
What is the purpose of monocytes?
Treatment. Tips for healthy levels. Bottom line. Share on Pinterest. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell. They help fight bacteria, viruses, and other infections in your body. Along with other types of white blood cells, monocytes are a key element of your immune response.
What are Monocytes in Blood Test?from healthyandnaturalworld.com
Doctors from the National Institutes of Health say that monocytes are a type of immune cell that develops in the bone marrow. Monocytes travel through the blood to tissues in the body where they can become macrophages or dendritic cells. 1
Why do I need this test?from urmc.rochester.edu
You may need this test if your healthcare provider thinks you have a blood disorder. You may need this test if you have:
What other tests might I have along with this test?from urmc.rochester.edu
These may include other blood tests, urine tests, and bone marrow or spinal fluid tests.
What do my test results mean?from urmc.rochester.edu
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
How is this test done?from urmc.rochester.edu
The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.
What might affect my test results?from urmc.rochester.edu
Certain medicines might affect your results, so talk with your healthcare provider about the medicines you are taking.
What causes low monocytes?from healthyandnaturalworld.com
A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause low absolute monocyte count in a regular complete blood cell count lab test. If the low mono count is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency you will also show signs of anemia like lack of energy, brain fog, muscle weakness, or mood swings.

Purpose of The Test
Risks and Contraindications
Before The Test
During The Test
After The Test
Interpreting Results
Summary
- Mononucleosis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms, but sometimes a healthcare professional will order an Epstein-Barr virus blood test. This virus is a common cause of mono. This is performed as a blood draw from a vein. A positive result means you have a current or past infection with EBV. A negative result may be seen early in the infection.
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