Blood is made up of many cells that fulfill a specific and vitally important function for the body. The white blood cells are part of this group of cells that defend the body from infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and germs that can invade the human body.
When we perform a blood test, this parameter known as leukocytes or white blood cells is measured. Through it, we can understand how our health is.
There are conditions capable of producing elevated levels of leukocytes in the blood. At FastlyHeal, you will know the true causes of high blood leukocytes and how to lower them with the appropriate treatments.
Table of Contents
What are white blood cells, and how are they measured?
Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, are blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue. These can be found in the tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, adenoids, and the immune system and are responsible for fighting diseases capable of producing an immune response to the presence of infections and foreign bodies.
How Leukocytes Are Measured
Leukocytes are measured in the blood through what is known as a count. This can vary according to the age and sex of the patient. For blood values to be considered normal, they must be between:
- 4,500 and 11,000 leukocytes per mm3 of blood in adults.
- 5,500 and 12,000 leukocytes per mm3 of blood in 15 to 5-year-olds.
- 10,000 and 14,000 leukocytes per mm3 of blood in children aged 5 to 3 years.
- 8,000 and 16,000 leukocytes per mm3 of blood in 1-year-old children.
When the leukocyte count is more significant than 11,000 per mm3 of blood, it is called leukocytosis and indicates the presence of some alteration or disease in the patient who presents it.
What does it mean to have high white blood cells?
Leukocytosis is the medical term used to show high white blood cells in the patient’s blood.
Leukocytosis can be due to physiological causes, such as pregnancy or the moment of digestion, or pathologies, such as infectious processes. According to the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) [1], elevated levels of leukocytes in peripheral blood can show an underlying infection or inflammatory process that, on occasions, can be generalized.
At other times, there may be increased production of the bone marrow, the bone where it is manufactured, which may be due to a tumor lesion at the level of its cells; this is known as leukemia.
Types of leukocytes
There are five types of leukocytes, depending on the class that is increased, it is spoken in each of the cases:
- Neutrophilia: in this case, polynuclear granulocytes are increased.
- Lymphocytosis: here, the lymphocytes are increased.
- Monocytosis: monocytes are elevated.
- Eosinophilia: if they are polynuclear eosinophils.
- Basophilia – known as increased basophilic granulocytes
High blood leukocytes: causes
There are several causes of high leukocytes in the blood. Among them are:
- Increase in the production of leukocytes to control an infectious process.
- It may be due to a reaction, the product of a drug treatment that alters the production of white blood cells.
- Presence of diseases that affect the normal functioning of the bone marrow by stimulating more excellent production of leukocytes.
- Immune disorders.
- Stressful situations also influence this condition.
Elevated leukocyte levels indicate the presence of diseases such as leukemia, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, whooping cough, allergies, myelofibrosis, and bacterial infectious processes.
Once high levels of leukocytes are detected, medical consultation should be sought, as it is indicative of the existence of a disease.
The primary function of leukocytes or white blood cells is to prevent diseases, in addition to helping the body fight bacteria and germs that cause infectious and viral processes.
High blood leukocytes: symptoms
The symptoms of leukocytosis vary depending on the causes of diseases that originate from it. In addition to fever, fatigue, and weakness, there are other signs such as:
- Bleeding or bruising
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Vision disorders.
- Tingling sensation in the lower limbs, arms, and abdomen.
- Trouble breathing.
- Weightloss.
- Decreased appetite.
Diagnosis of leukocytosis
In most cases, the finding of elevated levels of leukocytes occurs when the doctor reads the blood tests in a consultation or similar situation. The doctor is the only person qualified to report the results of any study and its meaning according to the signs and symptoms that it presents.
The ideal is to take a medical history, a good interrogation accompanied by a physical examination and blood studies where the number of white blood cells is reported, and even depending on this result, more specialized studies, such as bone marrow, may be required to find the correct cause of leukocytosis.
How to lower high leukocytes in the blood – treatment
In some cases, high blood leukocytes can return to normal without treatment. If the modification of leukocyte levels is elevated by an infectious process that does not require treatment, in most cases, the levels return to normal on their own. Medicine can be implemented according to the present symptoms and the pathology that led to leucosis. They provided intravenous fluids or medication to treat an infection or inflammation.
Bone marrow transplantation is used when the cause is the result of disorders of the bone marrow. In this case, blood transfusions or chemotherapy are performed.
Leukocytosis should not be classified as a disease but as a condition that serves as an alarm to identify an infectious process settling in the body.
In the following FastlyHealarticle, we explain other tips and recommendations to lower leukocytes naturally.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to High blood leukocytes: causes and how to lower them, we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart, and circulation.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.