Your white blood cell count, or WBC count, refers to how many white blood cells you have in your blood. Doctors may order a WBC count as part of a routine checkup or to check whether you may have a disease. An unusually low or high WBC count may indicate certain diseases or be a side effect of medication.
White Blood Cells
White blood cells move through your bloodstream to infected areas of your body, where they destroy the bacteria causing the infection. There are five types of white blood cells: neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Neutrophils, the most numerous type of white blood cell, destroy bacteria by trapping it in the neutrophil membrane and then digesting it. Lymphocytes are also important to your immune system because they help produce antibodies, which protect your body against illness.
Normal Levels
Normal WBC counts range between 4,500 to 10,000 white blood cells per microliter, according to MedlinePlus. However, different laboratories may have slightly different ranges of normal results. WBC counts also measure your absolute neutrophil count, or ANC, which indicates how many neutrophils are in your blood. Normal ANC levels range between 2,500 to 6,000, according to the National Institutes of Health. If your ANC is below 500, you are considered neutropenic and are dangerously susceptible to infection.
Leukopenia
If your WBC count is lower than normal, you have leukopenia. Leukopenia has several possible causes, including bone marrow deficiency, collagen-vascular diseases, liver disease, spleen disease or radiation therapy. Many medications may also lower your WBC count, including antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, antihistamines, diuretics, barbiturates and antithyroid drugs.
Leukocytosis
If your WBC count is higher than normal, you have leukocytosis. Leukocytosis may be caused by inflammatory disease, anemia, leukemia, infectious disease, severe stress, bone marrow tumors or tissue damage. Several medications may also caused an increased WBC count, such as corticosteroids, aspirin, triamterene, allopurinol, chloroform, quinine and epinephrine. You will also have a higher WBC count if you have had your spleen removed.
Recommendations
Talk to your doctor about your WBC count if your results are abnormal or if you have concerns. If you have abnormal levels of white blood cells, you may need to take extra precautions to avoid exposing yourself to bacteria. In addition, always tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking, including over-the-counter products, as these may affect your WBC count and other test results.
