What does increased wbc mean?

Are you feeling a little under the weather lately and your doctor has ordered additional lab tests to be done? One of those might have been a complete blood count (CBC) which could indicate increased white blood cell (WBC) counts. Don’t worry too much, though! Let me explain what it means when your WBC count is higher than normal.

Understanding White Blood Cells

White blood cells or leukocytes are crucial cells in our immune system that defend the body against infection and disease-causing microorganisms. There are different types of white blood cells each with distinct functions:

  • Neutrophils
  • Lymphocytes
  • Monocytes
  • Eosinophils
  • Basophils

These cells all work together to protect our body from harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that can cause illnesses.

What Does “Increased WBC” Mean?

When we say an individual has increased WBC, also called leukocytosis, it means their total number of circulating white blood cells exceeds the normal range, which is 4,000 to 11,000 per microliter (mcL). This can be easily identified through a CBC test.

The Different Types Of Leukocytosis

There are actually two types of leukocytosis: reactive and neoplastic.

Reactive Leukocytosis Neoplastic Leukocytosis
definition caused by infections or inflammation stemming from underlying malignancies
example causes bacterial infections such as pneumonia; connective tissue diseases like rheumatoid arthritis; allergies and asthma. chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); Hodgkin’s lymphoma

The treatment for increased WBC levels would vary depending on the underlying cause.

Reactive Leukocytosis

In reactive leukocytosis, WBC elevation is often caused by an increase in the production of one or a few types of white blood cells. This can be indicative of various conditions such as:

  • Response to infections
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Allergic reactions
  • Medications like steroids.

Neoplastic Leukocytosis

Meanwhile, people with neoplastic leukocytosis have abnormally high WBCs which are mainly due to blood and bone marrow cancer . Some examples are chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Symptoms Of Increased WBC Count

Try not coughing when reading this… but higher than normal levels of white bloo dcells might suggest that something’s wrong even if no symptoms appear. But in many cases, it may actually present itself symptomatically through signs such as:

  1. Fever and chills
  2. Respiratory distress including chest pain and cough/sore throat especially for COVID.
  3. Fatigue or tiredness
  4. Night sweats
    5.Enlarged lymph nodes
    6.Persistent headaches
    7.Cramps

It is important to note that these symptoms don’t all present at once ,so best seek medical help right away!

What Are The Causes Of Increased White Blood Cell Count?

White blood cell count can also rise due to several reasons other than those associated with illness or dangerous anomalies lurking inside our bodies

TYPE OF INCREASED WBC EXAMPLE CAUSES
Physiological causes pregnancy; menstruation; emotional stress; medication-induced
Infectious/inflammatory processes infection-causing bacteria/virus/parasites/fungi ; connective tissue disorders
Hematological malignancies, solid tumors leukemia; lymphomas or solid tumors
Other causes splenectomy ; thyroid-related issues ; acute hemorrhage/recent surgery or injury

Diagnosing Increased WBC

Once elevated white blood cell count is indicated in a CBC test, further diagnostic testing is done to determine its underlying cause. These often include:

  • Peripheral blood smears
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • Serologic tests including human immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and antinuclear antibody (ANA)

Through these procedures, doctors can identify whether the increased WBC count is due to illness or other underlying causes.

Tips For Coping Up While Await Your Results

The waiting process for your results can be stressful ,so it’s important not to let yourself get too immersed on this thought. Here are some helpful tips during those times of limbo:

1.Listen To Relaxation Audio Guided Meditations.
2.Drink herbal teas such as chamomile and valerian root before bedtime.
3.Ask a friend, family members /mentor for support

Just like anything else in life getting good levels involves combination of factors such as regular exercise routine,a healthy diet,lots of fluids/and sleep! So remember guys ‘an apple (and enough rest) a day keeps the doctor away.’

CONCLUSION

In conclusion however high levels of white blood cells counts may mean that there are things inside our bodies driven by either physiological reasonsor pathological abnormalities . Nevertheless you have been given knowledge on what to expect when dealing with an issue resulting from higher than normal WBC .

So always remember … When it comes to knowing more about health specific information do not hesitate… after all isn’t taking care and being mindful one way we display self-love?

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