As I always tell our patients at New Hope Unlimited, our immune system is amazing! White blood cells are vital components of the blood. They fight infection and are essential for our health and well-being. A high white blood cell count may indicate an infection. The immune system is working to destroy the infection, and it may also be a sign that the person is experiencing physical or emotional stress. Some blood cancers may also show high white blood cell counts.
This might signal that something is destroying the cells faster than they are being made or that the body is producing too few of the cells. These white blood cells account for about 1% of the total blood cells and are essential to normal immune function. These cells are also known as leukocytes. White blood cells have a very important function in protecting the body from attack that can be from bacteria, viruses or other foreign substances that the body sees as some kind of threat.
Bone marrow continuously produces white blood cells and keeps them ready within the blood and lymphatic systems until they are needed. A large number of white blood cells are produced by most people. Laboratory levels that are considered normal are between 4,000 and 11,000 cells per microliter of blood, but this can vary according to a person’s race.
Several different types of white blood cells are:
Monocytes travel to other organs, as needed, such as the spleen, liver, lungs, and bone marrow, where they transform into a cell called a macrophage. This cell is responsible for many cellular functions, including removing dead or damaged tissue, destroying cancer cells, and regulating the immune response.
An increase in white blood cells (leukocytosis) typically occurs in response to the following conditions: infection, immunosuppression, medications, bone marrow or immune disorder, certain cancers such as acute or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, inflammation as that experienced with rheumatoid arthritis, injury, pregnancy, smoking, allergic reactions, and excessive exercising.
If levels of one particular type of white blood cell rise, this may be due to a specific trigger, such as monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, or eosinophils. Those affected by idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome may experience symptoms such as weight loss, fevers, night sweats, fatigue, coughing, chest pain, swelling, stomach ache, skin rash, pain, weakness, confusion, or coma.
Some other imbalances of white blood cells could be a sign of a weakened immune system due to HIV or Aids, leukemia, lymphoma and a number of conditions known as myeloproliferative disorders.
If the white blood cell count is too high, it might indicate a problem such as cancer or an infection. A blood test can assess the white blood cell count, and other tests might be needed to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.
Dr. Fredda Branyon