White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, help protect the body against infections, bacteria, viruses and diseases. These essential part of the immune system are produced in the bone marrow and are present in the blood and lymph tissue. White blood cells (WBC) come in different types, and the blood normally contains a certain percentage for each type. This is what doctors check when they request tests that measure a person’s WBC count. Show
Why Do Doctors Check Your WBC Count?The WBC count is usually included in a test that measures your complete blood count (CBC). A low white blood cell count or a high blood cell count may indicate an infection or an undiagnosed condition such as a blood disorder, an autoimmune diseases or an immune deficiency. The WBC count can help doctors detect and provide treatment for these potential conditions as well as help monitor the effectiveness of radiation treatment or chemotherapy for cancer patients. What Is the Normal WBC Count?People’s WBC count may vary depending on their age. Infants usually have a higher WBC count which gradually decreases as they get older. The table below shows the normal WBC ranges per microliter of blood (mcL).
Symptoms of an Abnormal WBC CountAn abnormal WBC count may either be lower or higher than the normal range. The common symptoms of a low WBC, also known as leukopenia, include body aches, chills, fever and headaches. If you have these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your doctor and he/she may recommend a WBC count. On the other hand, a high WBC count, also known as leukocytosis, usually doesn’t cause symptoms, although the underlying condition that’s causing it may show its own signs. Risk Factors of an Abnormal WBC CountA low WBC count may be triggered by the following factors or conditions:
Meanwhile, a high WBC count may be triggered by the following factors or conditions:
How to Prepare for a WBC CountFirst, you have to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get a test request and then schedule an appointment with the laboratory for blood extraction. Certain medications may either lower or increase your WBC count, so please let your physician know if you’re under medication. Some of the drugs that may interfere with your WBC count results are as follows:
Final ThoughtsIf your laboratory test results show that you either have a low or high WBC count, your doctor may recommend a treatment plan and may also recheck your WBCs from time to time. But if your WBCs are within the normal range, great. Just keep doing things that can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy, such as eating fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, limiting your sugar intake, exercising regularly, managing your stress levels and staying hydrated. Have a great day ahead! Sources: Treatment TipsNeutropenia is a low level of white blood cells. Because radiation therapy and chemotherapy destroy cells that grow at a fast rate, white blood cells are often affected. Patients receiving a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy are at greater risk for neutropenia. Since white blood cells play an important role in preventing infection, any time your white blood cell count drops, you are at higher risk of getting an infection. Since these cells also help to fight off infections once in the body, it may be harder to get over an infection when your white blood cell counts are low. Therefore, you need to take precautions to decrease the risk of infection while receiving treatment. Your white blood cell count will be checked periodically throughout the course of your treatments. Any time that your white blood cell count drops below 1,000 per mm3, you will be considered neutropenic. Should this happen, a nurse will review with you special steps that you must take in order to decrease the chance that you will get an infection. These neutropenic precautions are discussed below. What Can I Do To Prevent Neutropenia?Since white blood cells are destroyed as a side effect of chemotherapy, there is nothing specifically that you can do to prevent neutropenia from occurring. Nonetheless, there are several things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting an infection when your white blood cells are low: Perform excellent daily personal hygiene.
Avoid situations that will increase your chance of getting an infection.
Use extra precautions to decrease the chance of injury and infection.
If you cut or scrape the skin, clean the area immediately with soap and water and bandage as necessary. What Are Neutropenic Precautions?If your white blood cell count drops to 1,000 per mm3 or below, you are considered to be neutropenic. Until your count rises, it will be necessary for you to take additional measures to further decrease your risk for infection. These are referred to as "neutropenic precautions" and include:
When Should I Call My Doctor?Even if you have taken great care to prevent an infection, you may still become infected. If any of the following signs or symptoms of infection occur, call your doctor or nurse immediately. Do not take any medications, even aspirin or other products to lower your temperature, before talking to your doctor. Call your doctor if you have any one or more of the following:
How is Neutropenia Treated?Growth FactorsOne of the most significant advances in the past decades has been the development of "growth factors," which stimulate the body's production of specific substances. One growth factor stimulates the growth of white blood cells and is used frequently with cancer patients, especially those receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By increasing your body's production of white blood cells, this growth factor can decrease your risk of developing an infection. Growth factors are administered by injection, usually 24 hours after your chemotherapy has completed. Neulasta® Onpro® On-body InjectorAn on-body injector is sometimes used so that you don't have to return to the office the next day for an injection. Your cancer care team will explain how it works and what you need to do. If you have any issues with your on-body injector, watch this video for recommended next steps. What to Do If You Develop an Infection?If you develop an infection, your doctor will order medications to treat the infection. Depending on the cause and severity of the infection, the medications may be given either by mouth or through a vein using an intravenous (IV) catheter. If you require IV medications, accommodations can be made for you to receive them in our office or possibly at home. Some patients require admission to the hospital in order to effectively treat their infection. If necessary, your oncologist may decide to delay further treatments until your white blood cell count has returned to normal levels and/or you are free of infection. Low Platelets-ThrombocytopeniaPlatelets are the blood cells that help the body to form clots. This is important to prevent bleeding from cuts or other injuries. Normal platelet counts usually range between 150,000 – 400,000 per mm3 of blood. Anytime platelets drop below 50,000 per mm3, there is an increased risk for bleeding. If platelets drop below 20,000 per mm3 and there are signs of bleeding, then you may require a platelet transfusions. There are a number of causes for low platelets. Some patients have low platelets as a result of receiving chemotherapy; others may have autoimmune diseases or blood disorders. Whatever the cause of the low platelets, there are several precautions to follow to prevent injuries that may result in bleeding. Signs and Symptoms of low platelet counts
What to do to avoid bleedingAdjust your lifestyle to prevent injuries.
When to call the doctor
*If you have a major injury or start spontaneous bleeding, go immediately to the nearest emergency room. Why does my WBC keep dropping?A low white blood cell count usually is caused by: Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow. Certain disorders present at birth (congenital) that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.
When should I be worried about low white blood cells?How many white blood cells (WBCs) someone has varies, but the normal range is usually between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter of blood. A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.
What will happen if white blood cells decreased?If you have fewer than normal white blood cells, you have a higher risk of getting an infection. When you have a low white blood cell count, your immune system isn't working as well as it should. Doctors call this immunocompromised.
Do white blood cell count go up and down?The numbers of red cells, white cells, and platelets can go up or down for many reasons. Your blood count is compared to what Page 2 2 is normal for you and others of your age and sex. Any change in your blood count can give important information to your treatment team.
|