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11/03/2009 - Questions and Answers
High White Blood Cell Count: Why is my white blood cell count too high?
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Do you have a high white blood cell count? There are a variety of reasons for a high white blood cell count. A white blood cell count is high when leukocytes (white blood cells) are helping your body to fight an infection in your bodythere are more disease fighting cells in your body. A high white blood cell count is also called leukocytosis. But It is important to be aware that a high white blood cell count does not identify a specific problem...
Question
What causes a high white blood cell count? I am worried because my doctor tells me my white blood cell count is too high.
In this article:
Causes of High White Blood Cell Count
Treatments for High White Blood Cell Count
Information related to the article "High white blood cell count"
Answer
We can explain to you the various possible causes of a high white blood cell (WBC) count, but you need to be investigated by your own doctor, who knows you, your medical history and can treat you appropriately only after a diagnosis has been made.
Causes of High White Blood Cell Count
White blood cells (leukocytes) help fight infection in your body. A normal white blood cell count is between 4,500 and 10,000 cells per microliter. A high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) isn't a specific disease. But it may indicate an underlying problem that requires medical evaluation. There are several possible causes for a high white blood cell count.
Causes of a high white blood cell count include: Infection - Severe physical or emotional stress - Use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs - Chronic bone marrow diseases such as a myeloproliferative disorder ( The chronic myeloproliferative disorders are polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis (MF), essential thrombocythemia (ET), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) ) - Acute or chronic leukemia - Tissue damage, such as from burns.
A Low-grade fever is not serious unless it becomes chronic with accompanying symptoms. The body uses this fever to fight infection, whether it be viral or bacterial. It is not necessary to treat a low-grade fever with medication. It is important to be aware, as mentioned above that a high white count does not identify a specific problem. Instead, it may indicate an underlying condition and should be evaluated by your doctor.
Treatments for High White Blood Cell Count
The treatment for leukocytosis, or a high white blood cell count, depends upon the cause. Only an investigation by your doctor can identify the appropriate treatment.
The tests performed to find the cause for an elevated white blood cell count will vary depending on the individual, his/her clinical presentation, and his/her medical history. Sometimes blood tests or an investigation of the medications an individual is taking may be enough to determine the cause. Individuals who present with symptoms or other abnormal laboratory tests that are concerning for a bone marrow disorder may require a bone marrow biopsy, a procedure used to remove soft tissue from inside the bone, for further analysis.
If you are concerned about a high white blood cell count, talk to your doctor to find out what tests might be appropriate for you.
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Created on: 10/30/2006
Reviewed on: 11/03/2009
Reviewed on: 11/03/2009
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I went to the doctor last week because for months now I felt run down and soo tired. He drew blood and my WBC was elevated- 12.9 and my vitamin D level was Low- 18.
I go back for more blood work today. I am scared, even though I know I shouldn't be. Besides being too tired to do anything, I am fine.
Could my vitamin D levels and high WBC be a symptom of a single cause???
In addition to a high white blood cell count, your health care provider will also check your blood for low white blood cell counts. Sometimes this is caused by some chemotherapy drugs, which can cause damage to your bone marrow.
My doctor told me to take a whiite blood cell count because he thought that I might have an infection, but everything was normal.
with a high white blood cell count, we should also check our blood for low white blood cell counts. It can be caused by some drugs used in chemotherapy.
Report of an elevated white blood cell count is a common clue that leads a doctor to consider the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are the cells that help your body to kill bacteria so if you have a high white blood cell count is quite a good thing.
there is a range for the number of white blood cell count (WBC) between 8000 and12000. In this range it is normal for all people.
A high white blood cell count means nothing on it's own. It depends on how high it is.
Someone told me that ulcer can also be the cause of high white blood cell count
My white blood cell count is a little elevated. It is 13,500. I have a yeast infection. Could this cause my white blood count to be elevated?
I read that a viral infection can lower white blood cell count but I didn't find anything on how a yeast infection would raise it.
Yes, fungal/yeast infections, as well as bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, can cause elevations in white blood cell count.
hey, im 16, kinda scared. i went to hospital a month ago and got a blood test and stuff because i was sick, they said i had to many white blood cells. i was ment to go back but me being 16, i couldnt be bothered, and i ended up back at the doctors getting more blood tests. im still waiting for the results of this current test but i was wondering if i could have luekemia? i have some of the symptoms being rashes, pink dots under skin, constantly tired, can never eat cause i feel full all the time, i have sore bones but that could be from growing, i have been sick since easter.. on and off. im heaps scared. what else could i have other then luekemia?? :(
xx
Other bone marrow diseases or immune system disorders, as well as infection, stress, and medications, can also cause a high white blood cell count. It sounds like you have taken the right steps towards finding out the cause of your high white blood cell count, and especially because you have been feeling sick over the past few months, we encourage you to follow up with your doctor for the results of your tests, as well as for appropriate treatement.
Some of the other causes of high white blood cell count include stress, smoking, myelogenous leukemia, allergic reactions and myelofibrosis, but other conditions may cause high white blood cell count.
on 9/11 on friday i went to the doctor cause i wasnt feeling to well. long story short my doctor drew blood from me to make sure i didnt have ant infections and she came back and said i have a high blood count so she give me some type of shot in my hip for antibodics and persribed me to take some more antibodics called sulfamethoxazole tmp ds twice a day for 14days and come back to see her on tues 9/15?? so will this antibodic treat this high blood count??
Based on your comment, it seems that your doctor believes your high white blood cell count is due to infection. Antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole, fight bacterial infections. As long as the bacteria causing your infection is sensitive to the antibiotic your doctor prescribed, then your high white blood cell count should decrease.
As mentioned above, there are many possible causes of leukocytosis and strategies for prevention would vary depending on the cause. For example, antibiotics may treat or prevent the leukocytosis associated with infection; antihistamines may prevent the leukocytosis associated with allergy; and controlling stress may prevent the leukocytosis associated with emotional or physical stress.
What can one do to help prevent leukocytosis?
Ineresting!
depends on the problem. May need a bmb diagnose
The treatment for leukocytosis, or a high white blood cell count, depends upon the cause. Only an investigation by your doctor can identify the appropriate treatment.
The tests performed to find the cause for an elevated white blood cell count will vary depending on the individual, his/her clinical presentation, and his/her medical history. Sometimes blood tests or an investigation of the medications an individual is taking may be enough to determine the cause. Individuals who present with symptoms or other abnormal laboratory tests that are concerning for a bone marrow disorder may require a bone marrow biopsy, a procedure used to remove soft tissue from inside the bone, for further analysis.
If you are concerned about a high blood cell count, talk to your doctor to find out what tests might be appropriate for you.
WHAT TESTS GET DONE TO FIND CAUSE FOR HIGH WHITE BLOOD CELLS? WHAT TESTS WILL BE NEEDED
TLC and DLC test
WHAT TREATMENT IS THAT FOR HIGH WHITE BLOOD CELLS?
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