A High White Blood Cell Count: What You Should Know
White blood cells – also known as leukocytes – play a critical role in maintaining your body’s health. When an infection, injury, or disease happens, these cells work to find, fight, and kill dangerous bacteria and viruses. But if your white blood cell count is higher than normal, it can be a sign of an underlying health issue. So what does a high white blood cell count mean?
Normal White Blood Cell Levels
A normal white blood cell count for an adult is between 4,500 and 11,000 per microliter. Anything outside of that range is considered abnormal. Your doctor might determine that your white blood cell count is high if it is over 11,000, or low if it is below 4,500. It’s important to keep in mind that the range considered normal can vary somewhat depending on the specific laboratory used during testing.
Causes of High White Blood Cell Count
The most common cause of a high white blood cell count is an infection. When your body is trying to fight off an infection, it produces more white blood cells in an attempt to help defeat the infection. Other possible causes of high white blood cell count include chronic diseases like cancer or diabetes, inflammatory conditions like arthritis and lupus, and certain medications.
Treatment
If your white blood cell count is high, it’s important to see a doctor for diagnosis and to determine what’s causing the increase. If it’s due to an infection, your doctor will likely give you antibiotics to treat the infection. If it’s due to a chronic condition, your doctor may recommend treatment for that condition. In some cases, regular monitoring may be recommended by your doctor to make sure that your white blood cell count stays at an acceptable level.
A high white blood cell count can be a sign of an underlying health issue, so it’s important to understand what it means and take the right steps to find out the cause. If you’re concerned that your white blood cell count might be too high, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.