What Is An Alarming White Blood Cell Count?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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 is an alarming low WBC count?

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.

When should I worry about high white blood cell count?

An abnormally raised white blood cell count is not a disease condition, but can point to another underlying cause such as

infection

, cancer or autoimmune disorders. An abnormally high white blood cell count should always be considered for its possible causes.

Is 12000 white blood cell count dangerous?

Adult white cell counts range from 4,000 to 10,000. So your value of

12,000 is slightly elevated

. But as with all medical tests, a small percentage of people will have results that are slightly out of the normal range even though nothing is wrong.

What happens if white blood cells are high?

When you have very high levels of white blood cells in your body, they can cause your blood to become very thick, which can impair blood flow. This can lead to a condition called

hyperviscosity syndrome

. Although it can occur with leukemia, it’s very rare.

What is the treatment for high white blood cell count?


Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®)

is sometimes given to lower very high WBC counts rapidly until a CML diagnosis is confirmed through blood and bone marrow tests. Hydroxyurea is taken as a capsule by mouth. Lowering those very high WBC counts can help reduce the size of the spleen.

Should I be worried about low white blood cell count?

A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening

infection

. Seek prompt medical care if you have a low WBC count and have signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.

What is the most common reason for low white blood cell count?

A low white blood cell count usually is caused by:

Viral infections that temporarily disrupt the work of bone marrow

.

Certain disorders present at birth (congenital)

that involve diminished bone marrow function. Cancer or other diseases that damage bone marrow.

Is a white blood cell count of 3.0 normal?

The normal range for a white blood cell count in a healthy adult is

between 4,000 and 11,000 WBCs per microliter

(μl or mcL) or cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood, though this may differ between males and females, and healthy children and young people usually have more.

What is a dangerous white blood cell count?

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 is a dangerously high white blood cell count?

The specific number for high (above normal) white blood cell count varies from one lab testing facility to another, but a general rule of thumb is that a count

of more than 10,500 leukocytes in a microliter of blood

in adults is generally considered to be high, while 4,500-10,500 is considered within the normal range.

Is 20000 white blood cell count high?

Different laboratories might use different ranges. In general, the normal range for men is 5,000-10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. For women who are not pregnant, the range is 4,500-11,000 white blood cells per microliter. For children, the range is 5,000-10,000.

What is a good white blood cell count?

How many white blood cells (WBCs) someone has varies, but the normal range is usually

between 4,000 and 11,000 per microliter of blood

. A blood test that shows a WBC count of less than 4,000 per microliter (some labs say less than 4,500) could mean your body may not be able to fight infection the way it should.

Is a white blood count of 13000 high?

The normal range for your WBC is usually 4,500 to 11,000 cells per microliter. Your WBC is generally

considered high if it is greater than 11,000 cells per microliter

.

What can you eat to lower white blood cells?

To lower your high white blood cell count, you should include the following in your diet:

Vitamin C

. Eating Vitamin C will help regulate the levels of white blood cells in your body. Fruits like lemons, oranges, and lime are rich in vitamin C, and so are papayas, berries, guavas, and pineapples.

What Drugs Lower white blood cells?

  • Antibiotics.
  • Anticonvulsants.
  • Antithyroid drugs.
  • Arsenicals.
  • Captopril.
  • Chemotherapy drugs.
  • Chlorpromazine.
  • Clozapine.
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.