In order to defend the body against diseases and infections, the immune system circulates certain cells through the blood to fight against invading agents.... One of the most important of these cells is neutrophils, which play the main role in the body's rapid response to infections.

Checking neutrophils in a blood test means the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). In other words, the doctor checks how many neutrophils there are per microliter of your blood. The normal amount of these cells in a healthy person's body is usually between 1,500 and 7,700 neutrophils per microliter, which may indicate that the number of the system is too low.

In the rest of this article from GCORP LLC magazine, we will examine the response of the neutrophil test and answer these questions: what exactly do neutrophils do in the body, what are neutrophils in a blood test, and what percentage should neutrophils be in?

What is a neutrophil?

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell and one of the main components of the body's immune system, which play an important role in defending the body against infections.... By swallowing and destroying bacteria and fungi, these cells help fight pathogens and heal wounds.... Neutrophils are the first cells that act in response to a wound or infection and migrate to the immune cells along with other infection cells.. Do it.

Among the types of white blood cells, neutrophils have the largest number and make up about 50 to 75% of them.. White blood cells make up about 1% of all blood cells in the body..

What is the neutrophil test for?

If your doctor suspects that the level of neutrophils in your blood is high or low, he may order a blood test... First, the result of a complete blood count with differential (CBC with differential) test is important to your doctor.. because this test shows how many of each type of blood cell you have in your body. (ANC) also... ANC shows the exact amount of neutrophils in your blood.

The test of neutrophils is used to check the function of the immune system and especially the body's ability to fight infections. It can also help diagnose infections, inflammatory diseases, immune disorders and blood cancers. The count of neutrophils is especially important in patients undergoing chemotherapy.. Because the number of neutrophils usually decreases after treatment and reaches its lowest level 7 to 12 days later, and the risk of infection increases.

Interpretation of neutrophil test results helps clinicians identify the individual's changing process and use it in clinical decisions such as infection prevention, treatment delay, or supportive measures.

Read neutrophil test results

As mentioned, the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is obtained from a complete blood cell count (CBC) test, and the formula for calculating it is as follows:

(percentage of neutrophils + percentage of bands) × total number of white blood cells ÷ 100 = absolute neutrophil count (ANC)

Generally, the interpretation of the neutrophil test is as follows... Please note that you must consult a specialist for accurate interpretation of the neutrophil blood test.

1.... Normal range of neutrophils in blood test

In adults, the normal range of neutrophils is usually 1,500 to 8,000 cells per microliter (or 1.5-8.0 x 10^9/L).. In some sources, a slightly narrower range of 2,500 to 7,000 cells per microliter is cited.. For example, for different people, inter-individual and racial differences in absolute numbers are effective. Although neutrophils may be basal be low.. but still be considered normal.

2.... high neutrophil (neutrophil)

Neutrophilia occurs when the absolute number of neutrophils is higher than normal and is about 7,700 to 8,000 cells per microliter... Be careful when the body is under physiological stress conditions such as intense exercise, pregnancy, surgery, pain or even anxiety, the number of neutrophils in the blood may be slightly higher than normal... This increase in neutrophils is usually temporary and is not a sign of a specific disease. It is not.

3... Low neutrophil test range (neutropenia)

Neutropenia occurs when the absolute number of neutrophils is lower than normal... According to the severity of the decrease, neutropenia is divided into three categories:

• Mild: absolute neutrophil count between 1000 and less than 1500 cells per microliter
• Moderate: absolute neutrophil count between 500 and less than 1000 cells per microliter
• Severe: absolute neutrophil count less than 500 cells per microliter

Some sources also suggest a state of profound neutropenia, in which the absolute number of neutrophils falls below 100 cells per microliter.. It should be noted that when the absolute number of neutrophils falls below 500, the risk of serious and life-threatening infections increases significantly.

What should be the amount of neutrophils in a blood test?

The value and interpretation of neutrophils in the blood test can be seen briefly in the table below:

What percentage of neutrophils should be in the blood test?

The normal range of neutrophils may vary depending on factors such as age.. but in general, the normal level of neutrophils is between 2500 and 7000 neutrophils per microliter of blood.. If the neutrophil count is less than 45% of the total white blood cells or less than 1500 neutrophils per microliter, neutropenia or low neutrophils are considered. is over There are 7700 neutrophils per microliter of blood.

What is the sign of high neutrophils?

An increase in the number of neutrophils is called neutrophil or neutrophil leukocytosis. Neutrophil leukocytosis occurs when the number of neutrophils is greater than 11,000 cells per microliter. High neutrophils in a blood test can be caused by several reasons, including:

1.... infection

Infection is the most common cause of increased neutrophils.... Most bacterial infections cause neutrophils to increase, although not all do so....In general, viral infections do not cause neutrophils to increase....but they may in the early stages....Some fungal and parasitic infections can also cause neutrophils to increase.

2... inflammation

Any condition that causes inflammation in the body can increase the percentage of neutrophils in the blood test.... Some of these items include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis and gout
• Ulcerative colitis (inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine)
• Tissue damage caused by burns, surgery or trauma
• Blood loss
• Sickle cell crisis (a type of red blood cell disorder)
• Acute kidney failure
• Diabetic ketoacidosis (dangerous complications of diabetes caused by the accumulation of acid in the blood)
• Cushing's syndrome (excessive increase of cortisol in the body)
• Preeclampsia and eclampsia (pregnancy complications that can cause damage to organs)
• Heart attack
• Acute hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the body)

3... Taking some drugs

Some drugs that can cause neutrophilia include:

• Lithium (mood stabilizing drug)
• Heparin (blood thinner)
  Anticonvulsant drugs to treat epilepsy
• Minocycline (a type of antibiotic)
• Corticosteroids to treat inflammation

4.... some cancers

Some cancers are associated with an increase in neutrophils, including:

• Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymphatic system)
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (a type of bone marrow cancer)
• Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (rare and serious type of blood cancer in children)
• Some tumors, especially in the lungs

What are the symptoms of increased neutrophils in the blood?

If the number of neutrophils is high due to inflammation, infection, side effects of drugs or cancer, it may be associated with the following symptoms:

• Fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Wounds that do not heal well
• pain or arthritis
• Feeling tired or weak
• Dizziness or fainting

What is the treatment solution for high neutrophil in blood test?

An increase in neutrophils in a blood test is more of a warning sign and a sign of another problem in the body... That's why, instead of focusing on the reduction of neutrophils, the doctor tries to find the main cause of the increase in neutrophils in the test... Some of the doctors' actions to control this situation are as follows:

• If the cause of increased neutrophils is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed.
• If the cause is inflammation or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
• If a drug has caused an increase in neutrophils, the doctor may change the dose or substitute another drug.
• In rare cases where the cause is leukemia or tumor, special treatments such as chemotherapy or special drugs are necessary.

What is the sign of low neutrophils?

A low level of neutrophils in a blood test is called neutropenia. Neutropenia can be mild, moderate, or severe.. Also, a person may be born with neutropenia or develop this problem over time. Depending on the cause of neutropenia, it can be temporary or long-term.

Since neutrophils are part of the immune system's cells to fight infections, neutropenia increases the chance of infection.... In severe neutropenia, even normal bacteria in the body can cause serious infections.... Various reasons that can cause neutropenia include:

1... Some cancers and their treatment

Blood cells, including neutrophils, are made in the bone marrow.. Cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma, can cause neutropenia..

2... Having certain infections

Some infections that can lead to neutropenia include:

• Measles
• HIV and AIDS
• chicken pox
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Salmonella

Also, severe body reaction to infection (sepsis) can also cause neutropenia.

3... use of some drugs

Many drugs are associated with the occurrence of neutropenia, which is called drug-induced neutropenia. This condition usually occurs in the first 6 months of taking the drug and often resolves within a week after the drug is stopped. Some drugs that cause neutropenia include:

• Antibiotics such as cephalosporins, penicillin and vancomycin
• Antiviral drugs such as Ganciclovir and Valganciclovir
Medicines to treat hyperthyroidism such as methimazole
• Anticonvulsant drugs such as phenytoin, trimethadione and valproic acid
• Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs
  Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
• Antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine
• Arrhythmia treatment drugs (irregular heartbeat)

4... Bone marrow disorders

Diseases that affect the bone marrow such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myelofibrosis can also cause neutropenia.

5... Nutrient deficiency

Deficiency of some nutrients such as copper, folate (vitamin B9) or vitamin B12 in the diet can cause a decrease in neutrophils and, as a result, a weak immune system.

6... Autoimmune diseases

Diseases such as Crohn's, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis can produce antibodies that destroy healthy neutrophils, ultimately causing neutropenia.

What are the symptoms of low neutrophils in the blood test?

Neutropenia by itself does not cause any symptoms.. But if you have neutropenia, the possibility of contracting various infections is very high... If you get an infection due to a decrease in neutrophils, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Feeling tired or weak
• Sore throat
Enlarged and sensitive lymph nodes (in the form of small and painful lumps in the neck area).
• Wounds in the mouth or around the anus
• diarrhea
• Burning when urinating
• pain, swelling or red bumps at the site of the wound or injury

How is low neutrophil treated?

Treatment of neutropenia depends on the cause and severity....Treating any infection in people with neutropenia is very important....If you have neutropenia with fever, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics even if no source of infection can be found..prescribe some types of corticosteroids..Also, if the neutropenia is caused by an underlying disease, treating that disease can resolve the neutropenia. slow.

What is the cause of neutrophil increase in pregnancy blood test?

During pregnancy, the number of white blood cells (WBC) increases naturally, the main cause of which is the increase in the number of neutrophils.... The increase in neutrophils in the pregnancy blood test begins at the beginning of pregnancy and continues until its end.... Normally, the number of neutrophils in non-pregnant women is between 2 and 7 thousand blood cells; But during pregnancy, this amount can reach 13,000 to 16,000 cells.. Also, the share of neutrophils from the total white blood cells increases in pregnancy and reaches about 60 to 80 percent, while in normal conditions this amount is about 50 to 70 percent.

The reason for the increase in neutrophils is hormonal changes such as the release of more estrogen and cortisol and the mild inflammatory state of the body during pregnancy. In addition to fighting microbes, neutrophils play an important role in the growth of the placenta and creating a balance between the immune system of the mother and the fetus. always interprets the blood test results according to the gestational age and clinical condition of the mother.

Neutrophils in children's blood test

In children's blood tests, two factors are usually checked: the percentage of neutrophils in children and their absolute count (ANC). One of the most important questions for parents is how many neutrophils should be in a child's blood test? The normal number of neutrophils in children varies slightly depending on age. But in general, if the absolute number of neutrophils is above 1500, it is considered normal.

The reasons for the decrease of neutrophils in children are diverse, from transient viral infections to congenital diseases, immune problems, or the effect of drugs such as chemotherapy. Fortunately, in many children, this condition is temporary and resolves on its own. In general, the accurate interpretation of blood test results should be done by a doctor.

Summary

In this article, we answered these questions: What are neutrophils in a blood test and how much should neutrophils be in a blood test? Briefly, the neutrophil test is a part of the complete blood count (CBC) test that shows your doctor how well your body is fighting infections. The results of this test can determine whether the neutrophils are in the normal range for high or low levels.. There are several reasons; From the body's natural reaction to stress and pregnancy to more important problems such as severe infections, autoimmune diseases or blood disorders.

Keep in mind that the result of this test alone is not sufficient and must be interpreted in conjunction with clinical signs and other tests. Therefore, if your neutrophil level is reported outside the normal range or is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, weakness or frequent infections, it is recommended to see a specialist for a more accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment.. Specialists.

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