High White Blood Cell Count

 

Leukocytosis is the medical term for a condition with a high white blood cell count.  While it is not actually a disease and may not be anything more than the body’s normal process, the condition always necessitates a closer look to determine what the underlying cause could be.

 

White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow of the human body, and perform an essential function.  Their job is to fight off infections that occur within the body by surrounding foreign substances, such as bacteria, and utterly destroy them.  They also assist to produce and distribute antibodies that bolster the body’s immune system.  There are five separate types of white blood cells:  neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils.  Each type has it own specific function.  In a healthy, normal blood test, there would be certain numbers of each type found.  When a blood test is performed, doctors compare the numbers of each type of white blood cell.  Any differentials in the numbers can be indicative of disease, with each type of cell indicating specific disorders or disease.  By examining the count of each type, doctors can narrow down possible causes for any increase.

 

The results of a full blood test will reveal the levels of each type of white blood cell.  Generally, only one type will show a high white blood cell count when something is amiss, which gives doctors the opportunity to narrow possible underlying causes.  Some of the possible things that doctors may be looking at when examining the blood count results are:

 

WBC type                              High Count Possible Indicators

Neutrophils                             **Infection, cancer, physical stress
Lymphocytes                         **Acute immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Monocytes                             **Bacterial infection
Eosinophils                            **Bacterial infection
Basophils                               **Infection, hay fever, asthma, allergy

 

A normal reaction for an infection is an increase in the number of white blood cells produced.  Other possible reasons for an increase could be some reaction to a drug or a disease of bone marrow. 

 

There are a few situations when doctors consider an increased level of white blood cells to be normal, although they would still monitor the condition.  The final month of pregnancy and the onset of labor can produce a higher count.  Certain injuries or disorders require the removal of the spleen, which could trigger more white blood cell production in mild to moderate amounts.  Persistent chain smoking is another possibility.  And, for newborns and infants, a higher white blood count than adults experience is a normal condition.

 

The time of day that your blood test is conducted could also affect the count.  A high white blood cell count is generally seen later in the day, while for the same person may seem low when the test is performed early in the morning.   Doctors take these situations into consideration when examining the results of the blood test, as well as the individual’s age and previous medical history.

 

If a person has recently suffered a cold, flu or allergy attack, the body responds by increasing production of a particular type of white blood cell, which rushed to locate the invading element such as bacteria and devours it to keep it from doing any more damage.  If an individual receives an injury such as a cut or burn, additional white blood cells are also pumped into the blood stream to help fight infection and to help heal the wound.  Healing is encouraged by the white blood cells ingesting dead cells, tissue debris and old red blood cells. 

 

White blood cells play a vital role in the role by also fighting body cells that mutate, such as in the case of cancers. 

 

Medications that are prescribed by a doctor to treat other disorders or diseases can also possibly result in a raised count of white blood cells.  These include:

 

                        Capreomycin Sulfate
                        Capastat Sulfate
                        Alpha Proetinase Inhibitor
                        Prolastin (injection form)
                       

Because it is possible that other over the counter treatments could be the underlying cause of a higher count, be sure to always let your doctor know when you are taking any herbal supplements, over the counter medications or medications prescribed by another physician or health consultant. (continued...)