Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Counts

A high Total Leukocyte Count (leukocytosis) may indicate an infection, inflammation, stress, leukemia, tissue damage, or an immune response to medication.

A low Total Leukocyte Count (leukopenia) may indicate bone marrow damage, autoimmune disease, severe infections, or a reaction to medication.

While the range can vary depending on the lab, a typical range is between 4,500 and 11,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood.

Yes, certain medications, including antibiotics, corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs, and medications that suppress the immune system, can affect your Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Counts.

Yes, stress can cause a temporary increase in your Total Leukocyte Count. Chronic stress, however, can weaken your immune system and potentially lead to a lower count over time.

Changes in Differential Counts can provide clues to specific health problems. For example, a high percentage of neutrophils may indicate bacterial infection, while a high percentage of lymphocytes may indicate viral infection. Elevated eosinophils can suggest allergies or parasitic infection.

Yes, strenuous physical activity can temporarily increase your Total Leukocyte Count. However, these counts usually return to normal levels after your body has had time to recover from the exercise.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle—eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and avoiding harmful behaviors like smoking—can contribute to a healthy immune system and white blood cell count. However, if your count is abnormal due to a medical condition, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan.

If your results are abnormal, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests to investigate further. The next steps will depend on your specific results, symptoms, and medical history.

The risks associated with this test are minimal and similar to those of any routine blood draw. These may include slight pain or bruising at the injection site, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Yes, infections can cause an increase in your Total Leukocyte Count and may also alter your Differential Counts, depending on the type of infection.

Yes, the test can be done during pregnancy. In fact, your healthcare provider may order this test as part of routine prenatal care.

Yes, smoking can cause an increase in white blood cells, as the body tries to defend itself against the harmful chemicals in tobacco. Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to lower white blood cell counts, as it can affect the bone marrow and lead to a decrease in white cell production.

Differential Counts are reported as percentages and absolute counts for each type of white blood cell. These include neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Yes, specific diseases can alter Differential Counts. For example, bacterial infections often increase the percentage of neutrophils, while viral infections may increase the percentage of lymphocytes. Allergies and parasitic infections often result in an increase in eosinophils.

Age can influence these counts. Newborns and infants typically have higher total leukocyte counts, which decrease to adult levels as they grow. Older adults may have slightly lower counts as the bone marrow produces fewer cells.

No, there is no specific diet to follow before the test. You can eat and drink normally unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare provider.

No, fasting is not required for the Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Counts test.

While an abnormal Total Leukocyte Count can be a sign of certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, the Differential Counts can provide additional clues about the possible type of cancer. However, further diagnostic tests are necessary to confirm a cancer diagnosis.

The frequency of testing depends on your health status, ongoing treatments, and if you have a condition that requires regular monitoring. Your healthcare provider will recommend how often you should have these tests.

While the test alone can't diagnose an autoimmune disease, an abnormal result can indicate an issue with the immune system, which might require further testing for a specific autoimmune disease.

If your Differential Counts are abnormal, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests to determine the cause. The next steps depend on your symptoms, medical history, and the results of these additional tests.

While a Total Leukocyte Count and Differential Counts test can indicate an infection in the body, it cannot specifically diagnose COVID-19. A specific test, such as a PCR or antigen test, is required to diagnose this disease.