In each microliter of adult blood, normally there are 3,500-10,500 white blood cells or leukocytes. But if the number of leukocytes is too high, it is a sign that we suffer from certain diseases.
Leukocytes or white blood cells originate from the bone marrow and circulate throughout the bloodstream. They are an important part of our immune system. This part of blood is capable of producing antibodies to fight foreign organisms (viruses, bacteria, and parasites) as a defense against infection, respond to allergies, and support immune function.
Newborns have leukocytes between 9,000-30,000 per microliter of blood. The range of normal leukocytes will change with age, to only 3,500-10,500 per microliter when we are adults. In adults, the number of white blood cells or leukocytes is high if it reaches more than 11,000 per microliter. There are several things that can cause an increase in the number of leukocytes.
Causes of High Leukocytes
White blood cells or leukocytes consist of five components, namely neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Normally, leukocytes consist of 40% -60% neutrophils, 20% -40% lymphocytes, 2% -8% monocytes, 1% -4% eosinophils, and 0.5% -1% basophils. The following are some of the causes of increasing the number of one component of leukocytes more than the normal threshold.
If the neutrophil count is high:
- Acute bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
- Physical injury, postoperative recovery or wound healing.
- Thyroid inflammation.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever.
- Chronic myelocytic leukemia.
- Uric acid.
- Eclampsia, seizures or coma in pregnant women.
- Acute stress.
If the lymphocyte count is high:
- Viral infections, such as measles or mumps.
- Bacterial infections, such as whooping cough (pertussis) and tuberculosis.
- Blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma and lymphocytic leukemia.
- Lymphoma.
- Glandular fever (mononucleosis).
- Hepatitis caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
If the monocyte count is high:
- Viral infections, such as measles, mumps and mononucleosis.
- Chronic bacterial infection.
- Tuberculosis.
- Parasitic infection.
- Leukemia.
- Chronic inflammation, such as lupus, vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
If the eosinophil count is high:
- Parasitic infection.
- Hyperpereinophilia syndrome.
- Connective tissue disease.
- Cancer, such as chronic myelogenic leukemia.
- Allergic reactions, such as eczema or asthma.
- Addison's disease.
If the number of basophils is high:
- Allergic reaction.
- Chicken pox.
- Myeloproliferative disease, which is a disease in the bone marrow.
- Chronic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
- Chronic myelogenic leukemia. Recovery from splenectomy, which is a surgical procedure for removing the spleen.
In addition to the above, high leukocytes can also be caused by smoking, taking certain drugs such as corticosteroids and epinephrine, and myelofibrosis, which are abnormalities in the bone marrow that interfere with normal blood cell production.
So basically, high white blood cell counts or leukocytes indicate the presence of:
- Increased production of white blood cells to fight infection.
- Immune system disorders that make white blood cell production increase.
- Reactions to drugs that increase white blood cell production.
- Bone marrow disease causes white blood cell production to rise abnormally.
Symptoms of High Leukocytes or Leukocytosis
High leukocytes, also called leukocytosis are not always symptomatic. However, common symptoms that can be recognized such as:
- Fever.
- Bleeding or bruising.
- The body feels weak, tired, or sick.
- Feel dizzy, faint, or sweat.
- Your arms, legs, or stomach feel pain or tingling.
- Difficulty breathing, concentration, or disturbed vision.
- Weight loss without cause.
- No appetite.
If you experience the symptoms above, consult your doctor immediately. The cause of high leukocytes needs to get an examination and appropriate treatment. After the doctor performs a physical examination and blood test, treatment will be given based on the underlying cause of high leukocytes.
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