White blood cell count is a type of test to measure the number of white blood cells in the body. This test is usually done in the form of a complete blood count test.

The term "white blood cell count" also generally refers to the number of white blood cells in the body. There are different types of white blood cells in the body, each of which constitutes a certain percentage of white blood cells. Sometimes the number of white blood cells increases or decreases.

What is the purpose of white blood cell count?

Increasing the number of white blood cells compared to the normal state can indicate the presence of an underlying disease. By counting white blood cells, hidden infections of the body are identified.

In this way, the doctor can detect a person's hidden disease such as autoimmune diseases, immune system defects, and blood disorders.. This test also helps the doctor to check the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation therapy in people with cancer.

Types of white blood cells

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are an important part of the body's immune system....These cells fight infection by attacking bacteria, viruses, and invading organisms.

White blood cells originate in the bone marrow, but circulate in the bloodstream.... There are five general categories of white blood cells in the body:

• neutrophils
• Lymphocytes
• eosinophils
• Monocytes
• Basophil

Normal number of white blood cells

Babies are often born with a higher white blood cell count, which usually declines with age... According to the University of Rochester Medical Center (UMRC), the normal range of white blood cells per milliliter at different ages is:

• Children: 9000 to 30000
• Children under 2 years: 6200 to 17000
• Children over 2 years: 5000 to 10000

These normal values ​​vary from laboratory to laboratory.... Another common unit for measuring blood volume is the cubic millimeter (mm3).. Microliter and cubic millimeter are equivalent.

The types of white blood cells in the blood make up a certain percentage of the total white blood cells.. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association, the percentage of white blood cells in the count is as follows:

• Neutrophil: 55 to 73%
• Lymphocyte: 20 to 40%
• Eosinophil: 1 to 4%
• Monocyte: 2 to 8%
• Basophil: 0.5 to 1%

Learn more:What does wbc mean in a blood test?.. What is the dangerous value of wbc?

An increase or decrease in the number of white blood cells compared to the normal state can indicate an underlying disease.... An increase or decrease in a certain type of white blood cells also indicates the possible existence of a specific underlying disease.

Symptoms of abnormal white blood cell count

1) Symptoms of a decrease in the number of white blood cells

• Body pain
• Fever
• Shiver
• Headache

2) Symptoms of increased number of white blood cells

An increase in the number of white blood cells is often asymptomatic... However, the underlying disease that causes it can have its own symptoms.

Symptoms of a low white blood cell count may prompt your doctor to order a white blood cell count test...Requesting a complete blood count and checking the white blood cell count at annual checkups is also routine.

What is the white blood cell count test like?

• A doctor or lab technician needs a blood sample to perform a test to count white blood cells.
• This blood sample is taken from one of the veins in the elbow or the back of the hand.
• Taking a blood sample only takes a few minutes and is associated with little discomfort.
• The doctor first cleans the sampling site to remove germs and then ties an elastic band around the arm... This elastic band helps to fill the veins and facilitate the sampling process.
• Next, a needle is slowly inserted into the selected vein and blood is slowly drawn into the syringe.
• The doctor or technician then unties the elastic band and removes the needle.
• Finally, gas is placed at the sampling site to prevent bleeding.
• Treatment staff use a different method when taking samples from young children and babies, in this way, first the skin is pierced with a lancet and then blood is collected using a strip or a small vial.
• At the end, the collected blood sample is sent to the laboratory for examination.

Complications of white blood cell count

Taking a blood sample is a simple process and rarely has complications.... Taking a blood sample from small veins can be difficult.... The lab technician may not be able to get a good vein from the patient and have to move the needle through the skin, which causes excruciating pain or a tingling sensation... Rare complications of taking a blood sample include:

• Infection of the needle insertion site
• Excessive bleeding
• Lightheadedness and fainting
• Bleeding under the skin (hematoma)

Preparation for white blood cell count test

Doing a white blood cell count test does not require any special preparation... a person goes to a doctor or a local laboratory at a certain time.... Some certain medications can interfere with the results of the tests and show the white blood cell levels lower or higher than normal.... Medications that affect the test results include:

• Corticosteroids
• quinidine
heparin
• Clozapine
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Diuretics
• Anticonvulsant
• Sulfonamides
Chemotherapy drugs

Getting to know the results of the white blood cell count test

Abnormal test results are defined as higher or lower measured values ​​compared to normal values.. An increase or decrease in the number of white blood cells can indicate blood disorders or other underlying diseases.

To determine the underlying cause of an increase or decrease in the number of white blood cells, the doctor considers several factors such as medications, symptoms, and a person's medical history.

Leukopenia is a medical term to describe a decrease in the number of white blood cells.... A decrease in white blood cells may be seen in:

• Infection with HIV
• Autoimmune disorders
• Bone marrow disorders or injuries
• Lymphoma
• Spleen or liver diseases
• Lupus
• Radiotherapy
• Some medicines such as antibiotics

Leukocytosis is a medical term to describe high levels of white blood cells... Leukocytosis may be caused by:

• Smoking
• Infection with tuberculosis
Bone marrow tumors
• Leukemia
• Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and intestinal diseases
• Stress
• Sports
• tissue damage
• Pregnancy
• Asthma
• Some medications such as corticosteroids

After diagnosing the cause of the increase or decrease in the number of white blood cells and determining the treatment plan, the doctor periodically checks the number of white blood cells in the person. If the number of white blood cells remains high, it indicates the worsening of the person's condition.

Dear ones, to know the number of white blood cells, it is better to see a doctorblood and oncology specialist... It is possible to book a doctor's appointment online through the GCORP LLC website.. Access to the office's contact number and address is also possible through GCORP LLC.