Why would my white blood cell count be high?

So you’ve been to see your doctor, and they’ve told you that your white blood cells (WBCs) are off the charts? Don’t worry! There are many different reasons why someone might have a higher than usual WBC count. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common causes of elevated WBC counts.

What Are White Blood Cells?

Before we dive into what can cause a high WBC count, let’s talk about what these cells actually do. Simply put, white blood cells are immune cells. Their job is to fight off diseases and infections in the body.

There are five different types of white blood cells:

  1. Neutrophils
  2. Lymphocytes
  3. Monocytes
  4. Eosinophils
  5. Basophils

Each type plays a slightly different role in protecting our bodies from harm.

How Is A High White Blood Cell Count Diagnosed?

Typically, doctors will order a simple blood test called a CBC (complete blood count) if they suspect that something isn’t quite right with your health.

A CBC measures several aspects of your blood, including:

  • Red blood cell count
  • Hemoglobin levels
  • Platelet count
  • And last but not least…your all-important white blood cell (WBC) count!

If the results show that your WBCs are out-of-range for what is considered normal or expected for someone like yourself (based on sex and age), then there might be further diagnostic tests recommended by your doctor to figure out why you’re “too hot” (are you still following?)

Okay enough waiting around – here are some potential culprits behind those surging immune-wielding warriors within us all!

Infections

Like we said earlier, white blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections. If you have an infection somewhere in your body- whether it’s due to bacteria or viruses -it can trigger your bone marrow (an organ found at the center of our bones) to produce more WBCs because they’re getting ready for battle.

However, keep in mind that some types of illnesses may not lead to a high WBC count. So don’t get too excited if you come down with the flu and see no change whatsoever!

Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammatory diseases like arthritis, lupus, and Crohn’s disease can also cause elevated white blood cell counts since these conditions all involve inflammation within various tissues/organs of the body which sends important cellular signals for immune response.

Medications

Some medications, such as steroid therapy or certain painkillers (codeine) could prompt your body into producing higher numbers of   neutrophils  and/or other kinds of leukocytes –leading to increased overall WBC count.

Not only that but medication which involves chemotherapy treatment used along anti-cancer therapy (anticancer agents) could greatly enhance production/enhancement aka. birth-rate level escalation? Of every kind-of-white-blood-cell!

Stressful Situations

This one should make sense even without explanation…stress adrenaline-fueled fight-or-flight response is connected through hormones tightly controlled by/produced from neuroendocrine and autonomic-nervous systems. These stressors expose the body to all sorts –physical, psychological etc.- encounters that challenge us ,so..the awesomely configured human organism has been outfitted mainly by those little warriors (yes-that means our dear leukocytes) via instruction from neurotransmitters/neurohormones -to aid in responding appropriately against any imminent danger/threats automatically affect your immune system which could trigger the production of more white blood cells.

Smoking

Inhaling smoke, whether from tobacco products or anything else, irritating your respiratory tract could elevate WBCs count.

So let’s elaborate; smoking cigarettes can cause inflammation in the lungs and airways if chronically done, bracingly yet oppressively breaking down barriers that would otherwise inhibit ailments recovery mechanisms- making healing processes stretch or even halt (Wrinkles?, Red flag, everyone! offer hugs NOW!) So to compensate for this assault on your body defenseings, the bronchi –pinky swear- increase activity and production levels of interleukin(s) which promotes white blood cell genesis in certain cases voilà high WBC counts!

Here is a table for visual learners: (because sometimes we don’t like reading..oops!)

Potential Cause Explanation
Infections Viruses or bacteria prompt bone marrow to produce more WBCs`
Inflammatory Diseases Can result in increased leukocyte mobilization
Medications Some drugs may cause elevated numbers of specific types of leukocytes
Stressful Situations Increase hormone & neurotransmitter/impulses flow resulting problematic immune response commences
Smoking Inflammation caused by inhalation leads to increased leukocytosis

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