Blood cell counts give your doctor important clues about the state of your health before, during and after treatment. Blood counts alone can't determine whether you have a blood cancer, but they can alert your doctor if further testing is needed. Show A complete blood count (CBC) is the number and types of cells circulating in your blood. Your CBC is measured using laboratory tests that require a small blood sample. Blood is composed of several types of cells:
 A CBC also tests hemoglobin and hematocrit:
Normal Blood CountsNormal blood counts fall within a range established by testing healthy men and women of all ages. The cell counts are compared to those of healthy individuals of similar age and sex. Nearly all lab reports include a "normal" range or high and low "values" to help you understand test results. Normal Ranges of Blood Cell Counts for Healthy Adults and Children Red Cellsper microliter (µL) of bloodWhite Cells per microliter (µL) of bloodPlatelets per microliter (µL) of bloodHematocrit1 % of blood composed of red cellsHemoglobin1 grams per deciliter (g/dL)Men 4.7 to 6.1 million 5,000 to 10,000 150,000 to 400,000 42 to 52 14 to 18 Women24.2 to 5.4 million 4,500 to 11,000 150,000 to 400,000 37 to 47 12 to 16 Children34.0 to 5.5 million 5,000 to 10,000 150,000 to 400,000 32 to 44 9.5 to 15.5 1The ratio of hematocrit to hemoglobin is about 3 to 1. White Cell DifferentialDifferential count, sometimes referred to as a "diff," is a breakdown of the different types of white cells. A white cell (WBC) differential also checks whether white cells appear normal. The five types of white cells and the approximate percentage they make up in the blood are:
Until children are more than 4 years old, they have a higher percentage of lymphocytes in their blood than adults do. How Blood Cancers Affect Blood CountsBlood cancers can affect blood cell counts in a number of ways, either lowering or increasing measurements. If you're currently receiving cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, drug therapy or radiation, your blood counts will be affected. Blood counts usually return to normal after treatment is complete. Should You Keep Track of Your Blood Counts?Some people want to know the results of their blood count tests so they can take preventive measures to protect their health or to what's causing their symptoms. For example:
Noncancerous ConditionsAbout 5 percent of healthy people will have test results outside of the "normal" range. If one or more of your blood cell counts is higher or lower than normal, your doctor will try to find out why. Many noncancerous conditions can contribute to low or high blood cell counts, such as those in the table below. Your total white blood cell count is the sum of five different types of white blood cells, all with different roles in battling foreign invaders in the body: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Neutrophils make up the largest share of your white blood cell count, contributing 60-70% of the total. It's for this reason that a low white blood cell count is most likely due to a low neutrophil count, also called neutropenia. Neutrophils are the immune system’s first responders—within minutes of an injury, trauma, or inflammation to tissue in the body, neutrophils are drawn to the scene. They essentially control traffic to and from an infection site by recruiting additional white blood cells specialized to the type of invader. Neutrophils function by engulfing the pathogen and breaking it down. And even though they are microscopic, you’ve seen probably seen neutrophils, as they are the basis of pus! The lifespan of a neutrophil is very short, ranging from 5 hours to a few days. Because your white blood cells play a vital role in immune function, low levels can leave you more susceptible to infection, increase the duration of illness, and increase the severity of it. It’s important to note that white blood cell levels can fluctuate daily and even hourly, so it’s important not to jump to conclusions about your levels from a single blood test.
If your normal is lower than the defined normal rangeThe normal zones outlined above are based on the population as a whole. While they are well defined, they do not necessarily cover 100% of the possible values for a healthy, normal WBC. In fact, there is percentage of the population that has a lower “resting state” level of white blood cells. This is likely due to genetic variations and do not necessarily predispose you for an increased risk of infection. 1,2 Individuals of African, Middle Eastern, and particular regions of European descent may have be genetically predisposed to lower “resting” levels. If you have a history WBC levels just below the 4.0 thousands/μL normal cutoff and you haven’t experienced a high incidence of illness throughout your life, you likely just have a lower “resting state.” It is still important to discuss your findings with your physician to rule out the need for any additional testing.
Viral infectionsViral infections that last for several months (or indefinitely) can cause white blood cell levels to be chronically low. These include hepatitis B & C, HIV, and tuberculosis, among others. But you likely won’t identify such an infection from a single blood test, so it is important not to jump to conclusions from a single WBC measurement. Autoimmune diseasesLow white blood cell counts can results from some autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis), as autoimmune diseases attack the immune system. Bone marrow cancersCancers that impact the bone marrow can cause low WBC counts, as most most white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. WBC counts would be extremely low in these situations, not just mildly below the normal range. Treatment and medicationSome people develop low white blood cell counts due to medical treatments or medications, most prominently chemotherapy. InfectionIndividuals with chronically low white blood cell counts should be particularly cautious about infections. Hand washing is a critical step in preventing pathogens on the hands from entering the body through eating or contact with the face. Wearing a facemask is also a good idea to prevent inhalation of pathogens. Cuts and wounds should also be avoided as much as possible, and when a cut or wound is present, great care should be taken to keep the wound clean. Depending on the severity of low WBC, special consideration should also be given to the source and preparation of foods. You usually have normal white blood cells but your last test result was lowA short-term low white blood cell count is usually due to acute neutropenia, a short period of time in which absolute number of neutrophils in the blood are low.[3] Acute neutropenia is usually due to high neutrophil use in the body or low neutrophil production, which are common when your body is fighting off an infection. It's a relatively common occurrence and is tolerated well in the body. When an immune response is mounted, neutrophils leave the circulation to defend the body at the location of the damage. Since white blood cells engulf invading pathogens to destroy them, they tend to have a very short lifespan—most neutrophils can only effectively remove a few pathogens before they themselves die. This high usage of neutrophils results in a low level of them in the blood. And since neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell, lower neutrophil levels bring down your overall WBC count. So don't be too stressed about a one-time low WBC measurement. If you are not feeling ill by the time you get your blood test results (they usually take several days to be processed), it is likely that your WBC count and neutrophil levels have retuned to normal since your blood draw. A single low WBC result means that your immune system is working as it should, especially if you never felt sick. Can exercise reduce white blood cell count?Yes, high frequency of intense exercise, particularly in endurance sports, can reduce your white blood cell count and make you more susceptible to illness. This is often exhibited as upper respiratory infection in runners and cyclists during cold months.[4,5] Adequate rest days between high intensity workouts may help to reduce the incidence of upper respiratory infections. Can low white blood cells cause fatigue? Low white bloods cells likely aren’t the cause of fatigue. If you have low WBC and are increasingly feeling fatigued, both are likely symptoms of an underlying issue. This could be a range of issues, from over-exercise or overtraining, low folate or B12 levels, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and certainly cancers. 6 ways to improve your white blood cell countIf your “resting state” white blood cell count is low, it’s unlikely that lifestyle changes will have an impact on your levels. For other causes of unoptimized white blood cell levels, there are some things you can do to help to reduce the demand on your immune system and increase its ability to protect you from foreign pathogens: 1. Manage your stress Mental, emotional, and physical stressors all contribute to your body’s ability to defend itself from infection. The term allostatic load refers to the wear and tear on the body and brain as a result of stress. It is regulated by adrenalin and cortisol, among other compounds. As your body works to adapt to and deal with the biological causes of stress, its ability to manage resources for the immune defense response may be compromised.[6]
The impact of inadequate sleep on white blood cells is well documented. Sleeping 6-8 hours per night can help you maintain normal levels of white blood cells, especially neutrophils.[7] 3. Engage in regular physical activity The impact of exercise on white blood cell count and immune function is a U-shaped curve. That is, too little exercise and too much exercise can both increase your risk of infection. Routine, moderate-intensity exercise (e.g. 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 days per week) has been demonstrated to support optimal white blood cell levels.[8,9] If you engage in high intensity training regularly without a rest day between activities, reducing the frequency of high intensity exercise can also be helpful in restoring your normal WBC level. 4. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. These compounds can help to support the normal functioning of white blood cells and the immune system overall. In particular, focus on the antioxidants vitamin A, C, E and selenium. Vitamin A can be found in red, orange, and yellow-hued fruits and vegetables, as well as dark leafy greens. It is best absorbed when eaten with some source of fat and a mixture of fresh and cooked sources. Vitamin C is found in citrus, berries, broccoli, bell peppers, kiwis, and Brussels sprouts. Limited cooking is best to preserve vitamin C content. Vitamin E is mostly found in nuts and seeds. Wheat germ, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, and sunflower seed butter at the best sources. Selenium is found in the highest concentration in Brazil nuts. Two Brazil nuts per day provide the daily recommended amount.[10,11] 5. Maintain a healthy body weight Excess body weight is associated with elevated levels of white blood cells, as it can cause an increase in inflammation and result in a WBC imbalance.[12] 6. Stop smokingSmoking causes your white blood cell count to be elevated, as it causes your body to be in a constant state of inflammation and damage caused by tobacco.[13] The best way to understand your white blood cell count Utilizing a history of blood data is the best way to understand a low white blood cell count. A single low WBC measure is not enough information for diagnosis. Speak with your physician about the need for follow-up testing. For most people, a low white blood cell level does not indicate illness or disease, but rather that your immune system is functioning properly. To maintain a properly functioning immune system, take action on improving lifestyle factors related to your white blood cell count. To learn what actions you can take to impact your white blood cell count, upload your results and develop your action plan with InsideTracker.
References [1] Crosslin DR, McDavid A, Weston N, et al. Genetic variants associated with the white blood cell count in 13,923 subjects in the eMERGE Network. Is low white blood count serious?A low white blood cell count is a consequence of serious diseases, and it can lead to harmful health problems—including infections, slow healing, and cancer. A low white blood cell count doesn't cause symptoms, but the complications of a low white blood cell count can cause many different symptoms.
Why would my white blood cell count be dropping?Low WBC counts are often linked to bone marrow problems. Being around certain chemicals, like benzene and pesticides, as well as some types of cancer and cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation, can hurt your bone marrow's ability to make WBCs.
What disease causes low white blood cells?What causes a low white blood cell count?. cancer treatment, like radiotherapy.. antipsychotic medicines.. medicine for an overactive thyroid.. some cancers, like leukaemia.. infections such as HIV or hepatitis.. autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis.. |
What causes a drop in white blood cells
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