White blood cells fight infection and inflammation. A white blood cell WBC count measures the number of white blood cells in your blood. The test isn't specific enough to diagnose a particular disease or condition. Still, it can provide valuable clues as to what might be causing your symptoms. Results can vary depending on the lab your doctor used and how it defines a low, normal, or high range. Many factors, including infection, inflammation, and conditions like a blood or bone marrow disorder, can cause an abnormal WBC count.
Tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking because many drugs can also affect your results. It's important to discuss your WBC count results with your doctor to understand what they could mean. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
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Vitamin deficiency, excessive alcohol consumption and generally poor diet can also lower a white blood cell count. Abnormally low white blood cell levels could lead to higher risk of infection of any kind. A low white cell count itself does not directly produce any symptoms, but a patient who is immunocompromised as the result of significant leukopenia and then develops an infection may experience symptoms associated with that infection, such as fever, localised pain, fatigue, muscle ache, loss of appetite and general malaise.
The main risk of an abnormally low white blood cell count is how vulnerable it may make a person to infection. Without an adequate white blood cell response available to fight infection, the body is at greater risk that any infection including those usually regarded as minor may cause serious illness or death.
Your bone marrow make white blood cells and release them into the bloodstream. White blood cells help you fight infection. They are part of your body's immune system, which keeps you healthy and makes you well when you get sick.
White blood cells work to destroy any foreign virus, fungus, or bacteria that enter your body. When you get sick, your white blood cell count is higher than normal. This is because your body is releasing more of these cells to fight the infection. But if you have certain illnesses like HIV or cancer, your white blood cell count can drop to very low levels.
It can also drop if you are on medicine that weakens your immune system. This includes medicines such as chemotherapy. This test measures the total count of all types of white blood cells. It does not measure the levels of each type of white blood cells.
You may need this test to find out if you have an infection or illness. If your immune system is weakened by medicine or illness, you may also need this test to see if your white blood cell count is too low. If it is, even a simple infection could be very harmful to your body. Leukopenia is the medical term used to describe a low WBC count.
A low number can be triggered by:. Leukocytosis is the medical term used to describe a high WBC count. This can be triggered by:. After diagnosing the cause of a high or low WBC count and recommending a treatment plan, your doctor will periodically recheck your WBCs.
If your WBC count remains high or low, this can indicate that your condition has worsened. Your doctor may adjust your treatment. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. Get the statistics on survival rates and find out the most common symptoms, diagnostic options, and….
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