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Overview of High White Blood Cell Count: Meaning, symptoms, causes, and treatment

Team AckoJan 20, 2025

"Prevention is better than cure," but sometimes, digging deeper is essential when our body signals something isn’t quite right. A High White Blood Cell Count (HWBCC), also known as Leukocytosis (LKT), can be one of those red flags. White blood cells (WBCs) comprise about 1% of your total blood cells and are the body's warriors, constantly defending us from infections and diseases. Although they account for a small portion of blood cells, their role in the immune system is crucial. When your WBC count spikes, your body deals with something, be it an infection, inflammation, or even a more serious condition like a blood or bone marrow disorder.

A HWBCC often indicates that your immune system is in overdrive, reacting to infections, allergic reactions, or chronic inflammation. Leukocytosis can increase your WBC count by up to 50,000 cells per microlitre, compared to the normal range of 4,000 to 11,000 cells per microlitre. Conditions such as exercise, pregnancy, and certain medications can also lead to temporary spikes in WBC counts. However, when these elevations persist, they can signal more serious underlying issues, such as leukemia or severe infections.

Understanding what a high white blood cell count means, its potential causes, and when to seek medical advice can help you catch health problems early. In this article, we will explore Leukocytosis's types, causes, symptoms, and treatment options, guiding you to take charge of your health before things escalate.

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Contents

What are White Blood Cells?
What is Leukocytosis?
Types of Leukocytosis
Causes of High White Blood Cell Count
Symptoms of Leukocytosis
How is Leukocytosis Diagnosed?
Treatment of High White Blood Cell Count
When to See a Doctor for a High White Blood Cell Count
Preventing Leukocytosis
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What are White Blood Cells?

White Blood Cells (WBCs) are the body's primary defenders against harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other pathogens. WBCs are crucial in detecting and eliminating infections in the bloodstream and tissues. Produced in the bone marrow, they circulate throughout the body to protect against illness.

These cells are essential to your immune system, helping you combat infections and diseases. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of WBCs and their key roles in your health:

Neutrophils
The most abundant WBCs comprise about 70% of the total count. They are the body's first line of defence, swiftly attacking bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.
Lymphocytes
Composed of B and T cells, these WBCs are essential for fighting infections and producing antibodies to protect the body.
Monocytes
Making up 5-12% of your WBC count, monocytes destroy pathogens and dead cells while boosting the immune system’s ability to fight disease.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils account for about 5% of WBCs and are primarily responsible for targeting and eliminating parasites. They also contribute to allergic reactions, which contribute to conditions like asthma.
Basophils
These cells release histamine when encountering an allergen, triggering allergic responses such as swelling and itching. In severe cases, they can be involved in anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity reactions.

What is Leukocytosis?

Leukocytosis, often known as a High White Blood Cell Count, indicates that you have an abnormally high number of WBCs. LKT is a typical immunological reaction to infection or inflammation in your body. However, a HWBCC might sometimes indicate something more dangerous. The normal range for white blood cells is typically between 4,000 to 11,000 per microlitre of blood. Anything above this threshold is therefore considered Leukocytosis.

Types of Leukocytosis

Depending on which cell is affected, there are five different types of Leukocytosis. Each type is associated with a variety of health conditions. These are.

Neutrophilia: When you have a high number of neutrophils in your body, it indicates inflammation and infections.
Lymphocytosis: When you have a high number of lymphocytes, it may indicate leukaemia and viral infections.
Monocytosis: Having more than the desired number of monocytes may indicate cancer and other types of infections.
Eosinophilia: If your eosinophil count is high, it may cause parasites and allergies.
Basophilia: A higher count of basophils than the normal range may lead to leukaemia.

Causes of High White Blood Cell Count

A high white blood cell (WBC) count, or leukocytosis, can result from various underlying conditions, ranging from infections to chronic diseases. Understanding the potential causes can help identify the source of the abnormal count and guide appropriate treatment.

Infections

Infections, particularly bacterial, viral, or fungal, trigger the immune system to increase WBC production to fight off pathogens. The body’s response to infection results in an elevated white blood cell count.

Inflammatory Conditions

Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or vasculitis, can lead to a persistent high WBC count due to ongoing inflammation in the body.

Allergic Reactions

Severe allergic reactions or conditions like asthma can cause an increase in certain types of white blood cells, such as eosinophils, as the immune system responds to allergens.

Leukemia and Blood Cancers

Blood cancers, including leukemia, can cause the bone marrow to produce an excessive number of white blood cells. This overproduction leads to elevated WBC levels, which may be a key diagnostic indicator.

Stress or Physical Trauma

Both emotional and physical stress, as well as trauma from surgery or injury, can temporarily raise WBC levels as the body enters a “fight-or-flight” response, stimulating the immune system.

Medications

Certain medications, including corticosteroids, epinephrine, and some antibiotics, can cause an increase in white blood cell production as a side effect of their action on the immune system.

Smoking

Chronic smoking leads to inflammation in the lungs and airways, which can elevate WBC levels as the body attempts to combat the effects of irritants and toxins found in cigarette smoke.

Bone Marrow Disorders

Disorders like myeloproliferative diseases, which affect the bone marrow, can produce excessive white blood cells, contributing to high WBC counts.

A high WBC count often points to an underlying condition, and it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and management.

Symptoms of Leukocytosis

When your body has an excessively High White Blood Cell Count, it might cause your blood to thicken, impairing blood flow. This can result in a condition known as hyperviscosity syndrome. The symptoms of this condition are as follows:

Stroke
Troubled vision
Breathing difficulties
Gastrointestinal haemorrhage, or bleeding from the mouth or stomach

Other signs of LKT may include the following:

Fever
Pain and inflammation
Bruises
Trouble breathing
Wheezing
Itching and hives
Loss of weight
Night sweating

How is Leukocytosis Diagnosed?

To determine the cause of an elevated white blood cell count (Leukocytosis), doctors typically rely on three key diagnostic tests:

Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential
This is the most commonly used test to identify Leukocytosis. It measures the overall white blood cell count and provides insights into the different types of white blood cells, helping to pinpoint the cause of the increase.
Peripheral Blood Smear
A peripheral blood smear is often requested if conditions like neutrophilia or lymphocytosis are suspected. This test involves spreading a thin layer of blood on a slide and examining it under a microscope to assess the morphology and maturity of blood cells. If immature white blood cells are found, a bone marrow biopsy may be conducted for further investigation.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Used to differentiate between conditions like leukaemia and other non-cancerous causes of leukocytosis, this test involves extracting a sample of bone marrow from the centre of a bone. The sample is then examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells or issues with producing white blood cells.

These tests help doctors identify the underlying cause of Leukocytosis, enabling them to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment of High White Blood Cell Count

The treatment for Leukocytosis varies depending on the cause. The following are the most prevalent treatment options:

Antihistamines are used to treat allergies
Inhalation devices for asthma
Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell therapy for leukaemia
Medication to alleviate anxiety and stress
Treatment for inflammatory diseases
Modifying medications to avoid medicine reactions
If you have hyperviscosity syndrome, your treatment may include intravenous fluids and medications to help reduce your WBC levels quickly and enhance blood flow
Leukapheresis is a technique that reduces the number of White Blood Cells in your blood

When to See a Doctor for a High White Blood Cell Count

If you notice signs suggesting a high white blood cell count, seeking medical attention is important. An elevated white blood cell count could indicate various health conditions, ranging from infections to serious disorders like leukaemia. Here are some key symptoms to look out for:

Fever or chills: Unexplained fever may signal an infection or inflammation in your body.
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness, especially without a clear cause, can point to an underlying health issue.
Unexplained weight loss: Sudden weight loss may be linked to conditions such as high WBC counts or blood disorders.
Pain or swelling: This could be due to an infection, inflammation, or blood disorders.
Difficulty breathing: If you experience shortness of breath, it could signal a severe infection or related condition.

Other symptoms to monitor:

Night sweats
Swollen lymph nodes
Frequent bruising or bleeding

Preventing Leukocytosis

The following are some useful techniques to avoid Leukocytosis:

Living an active, healthy lifestyle
To avoid infection, practise proper hygiene and handwashing
Avoiding possible allergens
Avoiding smoking and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor for any health conditions
Lowering stress levels
As and when needed, seek medical care for anxiety or mental health disorders.

Conclusion

While a high white blood cell count often indicates a simple infection or inflammation, persistent or severe symptoms should never be ignored. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any serious conditions and receive the appropriate treatment. By staying vigilant, you can ensure the best possible care for your health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a list of FAQs associated with High White Blood Cell Count

What is the most effective treatment for High White Blood Cell Count?

Leukapheresis is a technique that reduces the number of White Blood Cells in your blood as quickly as possible. Other treatment options include antihistamines for allergies, inhalers for asthma, antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell therapy for leukaemia, anti-inflammatory medications, and medication to alleviate anxiety and stress.

What are the causes of a High White Blood Cell Count?

Possible causes of Leukocytosis may include infections, smoking, specific types of leukaemia, physical or emotional stress, splenectomy, reaction to drugs such as steroids, lithium, or some inhalers, chronic inflammation due to an injury, arthritic conditions or other inflammatory disorders, allergy symptoms, hay fever, and asthma, infections caused by parasites, lymphoma, and bone marrow cancer, etc.

Is it possible for me to not experience any symptoms?

If your LKT is due to stress or a medicine reaction, you may not experience any symptoms.

What is the normal range for white blood cells?

The white blood cell count range is typically between 4,000 to 11,000/mL of blood. Any level above this range could indicate leukocytosis or a high white blood cell count, suggesting the presence of an infection, inflammation, or another underlying condition that requires medical attention.

What does a high WBC count mean for my health?

A high WBC count suggests that your body is reacting to an infection, injury, or inflammation. It could also indicate more serious conditions such as leukaemia or autoimmune disorders. It's essential to determine the cause of the high white blood count through proper diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment to manage the condition effectively.

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Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.

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