What is Leukocyte (WBC)? What is Leukocyte (WBC) High?
Blood contains a certain number of white blood cell counts (WBC, leukocytes, or white blood cells) that help the body fight infection as part of the body’s immune system. A white blood cell (WBC) count measures the amount of white blood cells in a person’s blood sample. The number of white blood cells in the body varies between individuals or at different ages of life. The normal white blood cell count in a healthy adult is between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter (μl or mcL) or cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood; however, this may differ between men and women, and healthy children and teenagers usually have more white blood cells. Elevated white blood cells, defined as leukocytosis, can be indicative of a number of conditions, including infections, inflammation, injury, and immune system disorders. A complete blood count (CBC) is usually performed to check for leukocytosis. Treatment of the underlying condition usually reduces the white blood cell count.
What is Leukocyte (WBC)?
Leukocyte (WBC)that is, white blood cells are a cellular component of the blood that lacks hemoglobin, has a nucleus, and can move. It protects the body from infection and disease by digesting foreign substances and cellular debris; They protect infectious agents and cancer cells by destroying them or producing antibodies.
White blood cells are produced by the bone marrow, and production levels are regulated by organs such as the spleen, liver, and kidneys. Several different organizations, each with different responsibilities leukocyte There are types:
- Monocytes: They live longer than most white blood cells and help break down bacteria.
- Lymphocytes: They create antibodies to fight bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful invaders.
- Neutrophils: They kill and digest bacteria and fungi. It is the first line of defense when infection occurs.
- Basophils: They secrete chemicals such as histamine, a marker of allergic disease, that help control the body’s immune response.
- Eosinophils: They attack and kill parasites and cancer cells and aid in allergic responses.
What is Leukocyte (WBC) High?
Leukocytosis means having a higher white blood cell count. Leukocytosis is a normal immune response and is not always a cause for concern. Most often, this means your body is fighting infection or inflammation.
There are five types of white blood cells (leukocytes), so there are five types depending on which cell type is affected. leukocyte elevation type is available. These are as follows;
- Neutrophil leukocytosis is caused by high numbers of neutrophils (the most abundant type of white blood cells that help clear infections and heal damaged tissues).
- Lymphocytosis refers to high levels of white blood cells that protect your lymphatic system.
- Monocytosis is caused by the presence of large numbers of white blood cells that enhance immune responses.
- Eosinophilia refers to high levels of white blood cells that play a role in fighting infections and inflammation.
- Basophilia, the rarest form of leukocytosis, is characterized by increased numbers of basophils (white blood cells that play a role in fighting parasitic infections, preventing blood clotting, and responding to allergic reactions).
What are the Symptoms of High Leukocyte (WBC)?
Many leukocytosis symptoms may indicate an infection or a more serious condition such as lymphoma and leukemia. Widespread symptoms of high leukocyte count in this way;
- Fire
- burnout
- Pain
- difficulty breathing
- Grunt
- night sweats
- unexpected weight loss
- Debris
Easy bruising may indicate thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) or severe acute leukemia. In severe cases of acute leukemia, excessively elevated white blood cells can thicken your blood and reduce blood flow. As a result, hyperviscosity syndrome may develop. This condition can cause serious health problems such as paralysis, internal bleeding, or vision impairment.
What Causes Elevated Leukocyte (WBC)?
Leukocytosis is most often caused by infection or inflammation. Other Causes of high leukocyte count may include:
- Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions
- Asthma
- Bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections
- burns
- Churg-Strauss syndrome
- Medications such as corticosteroids and epinephrine
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Leukemia
- lymphoma
- Myelofibrosis (bone marrow disorder)
- polycythemia vera
- Pregnancy
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sarcoidosis
- Tuberculosis
- vasculitis
- whooping cough
How to Treat Elevated Leukocyte (WBC)?
Treatment for leukocytosis varies depending on what is causing the condition in the first place. For example, if the white blood cell count is high due to a bacterial infection, the healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics. If leukocytosis is associated with an allergic reaction, antihistamines are used. Other common high leukocyte count treatment The methods are as follows;
- Medications that reduce stress or anxiety
- anti-inflammatory drugs
- Inhalers to treat asthma
- IV fluids to improve blood flow
- Leukapheresis, a procedure to rapidly reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood
- Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplant
In some cases, your white blood cell count may return to normal without requiring intervention.
What is Low Leukocyte (WBC)?
Leukopenia (low white blood cell count) refers to a lower than normal number of white blood cells. Neutrophils are white blood cells that serve as the immune system’s first line of defense. When there are not enough white blood cells, the body becomes vulnerable to infections.
White blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside some large bones. Conditions that affect the bone marrow are common causes of low white blood cell counts. Some of these conditions are present at birth and are also known as congenital.
What are the Symptoms of Low Leukocyte (WBC)?
Exam (low leukocyte count) has no symptoms, but conditions with some symptoms may cause infections. Symptoms of low leukocyte count in this way;
- Fever and chills
- swelling and redness
- mouth sores
- Red or white spots in your mouth
- Sore throat
- Severe cough or shortness of breath
- Painful urination or foul-smelling urine
- Diarrhea
- Cuts or wounds that drain pus
- unusual vaginal discharge or itching
What are the Causes of Low Leukocyte (WBC)?
Low leukocyte count may be caused by cancer, cancer treatments, or a condition unrelated to cancer. some common Causes of low leukocyte count is as follows;
- aplastic anemia
- Chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- Epstein-Barr virus infection.
- hepatitis a
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- infections
- Leukemia
- Lupus
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Malaria
- Malnutrition and deficiency of some vitamins
- Medications such as antibiotics
- sarcoidosis
- Sepsis (an overwhelming bloodstream infection)
- Tuberculosis
If chemotherapy, medication, or another treatment causes neutropenia, the dose may be reduced, the treatment changed, or treatment delayed until your body recovers.
How is Low Leukocyte (WBC) Treated?
In cases of low leukocyte count, healthcare professionals treat the underlying cause. For example, if there is leukopenia because there is an infection, antibiotics or antiviral medications may be used to fight the infection. Treatment of low leukocyte count Other treatments that can be applied for:
- Growth factors: These medications encourage the bone marrow to produce more blood cells. In this case, growth factor medication can increase white blood cell production.
- Delaying chemotherapy: If you are receiving chemotherapy for cancer, your healthcare provider may recommend delaying treatment until your white blood cell count increases.
What should be the leukocyte value?
A normal white blood cell count is a reading that falls within the range determined by testing men, women and children of all ages. Although it is possible to talk about general values, exact ranges tend to vary between laboratories and countries.
normal for men leukocyte valueBetween 5,000 and 10,000 white blood cells per µl of blood. For women, this value is between 4,500 and 11,000 per µl, and for children it is between 5,000 and 10,000. However, not all sources distinguish between male and female values; From these sources, values for both sexes tend to be in the range of 4,000 to 4,500 and 10,000 to 11,000 cells per μl.
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