Table of Contents
What does white blood cell count show in blood test?
The white blood cell count (WBC) is used as part of a full complete blood count (CBC) to: Screen for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Help diagnose an infection or inflammatory process or other diseases that affect the number of WBCs, such as allergies, leukemia or immune disorders, to name a few.
What does it mean when your white blood cell count is low?
A low white blood cell count in adults is less than 4,000 cells per microliter of blood. A low white blood cell count can be an indicator of certain conditions, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vitamin deficiencies, or a side effect of cancer treatment.
What causes white blood cells to be high in adults?
A high white blood cell count usually indicates: An increased production of white blood cells to fight an infection. A reaction to a drug that increases white blood cell production. A disease of bone marrow, causing abnormally high production of white blood cells.
What should I eat if I have low white blood cells?
Blood-building nutrients
- Meat, poultry, fish, seafood.
- Eggs and dairy products, like cheese, yogurt, milk, and skim milk powder.
- Legumes, like lentils, chickpeas, split peas, kidney beans, baked beans, hummus.
- Soy foods, like tofu, tempeh, and soy milk.
- Nuts and seeds, like hemp hearts, almonds, and peanut butter.
What should a normal white cell blood count be?
Low white blood cell (WBC) count. The threshold for a low white blood cell count (leukopenia) varies between individuals and cases,but is generally considered to be anything lower than
What does a high white blood cell count mean on a blood test?
A high white blood cell count is an increase in disease-fighting cells in your blood. The exact threshold for a high white blood cell count varies from one laboratory to another. In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.
What would cause an elevated white blood cell count?
Overall, the most common cause for a high white blood cell count is response to infection. Another potential cause of an elevated white blood cell count is leukemia. This is effectively a cancerous change of the blood and bone marrow which causes significant overproduction of white blood cells.
How do you test for white blood cells?
Wash your hands.