Leukocytes. When to do the test? What do the results show? [WE EXPLAIN]

Proven content

Leukocytes are white blood cells. There are several types of cells in the plasma that belong to the white blood cell system, which differ in appearance and function. Leukocyte testing is a one-time blood sampling from a vein in the arm.

Leukocytes – why do we test them?

The leukocytes are there white blood cells or white blood cells, which are referred to as WBC during the test. In the human body, leukocytes play a very important role in the functioning of the immune system – they protect against cancer and infections. The production of white blood cells occurs in the bone marrow (some cells pass from the blood into the tissues while others stay in the bone marrow).

Inflammation and infections lead to increased production of leukocytes and their release into the blood. The consequence is the movement of blood cells to the affected area. The decrease or increase in leukocytes can also be the result of diseases that affect their production and lifespan. Increased white blood cell count is called leukocytosis, in turn, the level of leukocytes below normal – leukopenia.

Peripheral blood leukocytes are an extremely useful parameter. On its basis, the doctor can easily identify the conditions of the body that may indicate various diseases. In the event of an abnormal level of leukocytes in the blood, it becomes necessary to establish the cause of the deviations from the norm. The basis for further diagnostics may also be the detection of leukocytes in the urine – the norm allows for the presence of only single white blood cells in the urine.

Perform Shipment general urine test – 10 urine parameters, in which you will also determine the number of leukocytes. You can buy the survey on Medonet Market.

Types of leukocytes

Neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils) have a nucleus consisting of several segments. In the cytoplasm (inside the cell) there are granules in which there are lysozymes, cationic proteins, enzymes (proteases, lipases) – taking part in the breakdown of phagocytic (absorbed inside the cell) particles. Granulocytes are activated by cytokines (proteins secreted by cells in tissues and blood cells) and themselves produce cytokines that stimulate B lymphocytes. Neutrophilic granulocytes, called microcytes, exhibit bactericidal and antipyretic properties.

Eosinophilic granulocytes (eosinophils) contain granules in the cytoplasm, in which there is a protein that has a strong cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and parasites. As a result of the action of eosinophils, the products of the immune reaction (antigen-antibody complexes) are removed.

Basophils (basophils) take part in the immune reactions of the first type (antigen-reagin E). In their course, histamine and heparin are released, which facilitate the transfer of basophils to the tissues where most of them occur.

Monocytes are cells larger than granulocytes. They contain a round or loaf cell nucleus. The active forms of monocytes, which show high mobility and the ability to phagocytose (absorb particles), are called macrophages. The main task of monocytes is to participate in the initiation of the immune response.

Lymphocytes they come in three forms. T lymphocytes make up 70% of all lymphocytes. They condition the cellular response. This group includes helper lymphocytes and cytotoxic lymphocytes. B lymphocytes (15% of all lymphocytes) are involved in the humoral response, which is the production of antibodies. In contrast, NK lymphocytes (15% of all lymphocytes) are natural killer cells.

Indications for the study of leukocytes

Leukocyte testing is usually performed together with other relevant peripheral blood counts. Morphology is often performed to assess the overall health of the patient. The measurement of white blood cells is of particular importance in infections and inflammations, such as muscle aches, chills or high temperature.

When do we test the number of leukocytes?

1. Acute and recurrent infections.
2. Suspicion of inflammatory diseases (eg RA).
3. Monitoring the treatment of inflammatory diseases and infections.
4. Suspected systemic disease.
5. Basic examination to assess the state of health, carrying out a balance sheet.
6. Suspicion of allergy. If you are allergic, your immune system produces an excess of some types of white blood cells.
7. Suspicion of diseases accompanied by a decline in immunity, e.g. AIDS, which causes a gradual decline in T lymphocytes.

Standard leukocyte count measurement as part of morphology is useful, but provides a generalized information about the state of the leukocyte system. A more precise analysis of the number of individual leukocytes (e.g. granulocytes, monocytes) is possible with a peripheral blood smear.

How to prepare for a leukocyte test?

Blood counts are performed on an empty stomach in the morning. Apart from that, there are no specific recommendations regarding the test, however certain factors may influence some parameters, including leukocytes. It is therefore worth limiting the intense physical effort the day before the scheduled visit to the collection point. It will also be beneficial to rest, have a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

The last meal eaten the day before the morphology test should not be greasy, it is recommended to reach for easily digestible products. Two or three days before the test, it is better to stop taking dietary supplements. Prior medical consultation is recommended regarding the regularly taken medications for chronic diseases, as some preparations affect the level of leukocytes in the blood.

If we monitor the level of leukocytes, subsequent laboratory tests are best performed in the same laboratory and at similar times.

Leukocytes – the course of the study

Material for the study of leukocytes: plasma.

Preparation for the test: on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours).

The course of the study of leukocytes: one-time blood sampling from a vein in the arm (less often from a finger, foot or back of the hand). The collected material is placed in a test tube. Before the blood is drawn, the so-called stasis, which causes blood to pool in the vein and is easier to collect. After the blood has been drawn, apply pressure to the bleeding site with gauze for several minutes to prevent bleeding.

Time to wait for the result: 1 day (sometimes the result is available on the same day).

Standards:. Normally, white blood cell counts are between 3,5 and 9,0 x 10⁹/I.

Comments: the time of taking a meal and the intensity of physical activity affect the test result. Before performing the test, inform your doctor about the preparations you are taking, as some of them may affect the test result. In addition, healthcare professionals should be aware of possible HIV, HCV or HBV infection and jaundice. This information will allow you to be very careful and prevent these diseases from being passed on.

For a standard morphology, which includes the measurement of leukocytes, we will pay about PLN 10. If we receive a medical referral from the attending physician to the National Health Fund, we will perform the examination free of charge.

Leukocytes in the blood – the norm

The reference values ​​depend on the age of the examined person. The test result may also depend on the laboratory where it was performed. Sample norms for leukocytes in the blood taken into account when analyzing the results can be summarized as follows:

1. adults – 4-10 thousand / μl,
2. newborns – 9-30 thousand / μl,
3. one-year-old child – 6-20 thousand / μl,
4. child 4-6 years old – 5-15,5 thousand / μl,
5. child 10 years old – 4,5-13,5 thousand / μl.

Not always an increased or decreased level of white blood cells indicates a disease that requires further diagnosis. The result may be affected by stress, as well as a cold or other infection on the day of blood collection for testing. During the consultation with the doctor of the obtained results, it is necessary to inform about any factors or situations that may have influenced the result.

Do you need interpretation of test results? Are you worried about your symptoms? Contact your doctor. Make an online teleconsultation with your family doctor at haloDoctor.pl to get answers to your questions.

Elevated leukocytes

Elevated levels of white blood cells (leukocytoza) occurs:

1. after increased physical activity,
2. as a result of severe stress,
3. after an eaten meal,
4. in pregnant women (especially in the third trimester of pregnancy),
5. during the puerperium,
6. due to viral, fungal, parasitic or bacterial infections,
7. after surgery,
8. after burns,
9. as a result of a heart attack,
10. in the course of chronic inflammation,
11. in people with proliferative diseases of the bone marrow, e.g. leukemia.

It must be remembered that many preparations also affect the number of leukocytes in the blood. Drugs that increase it include, for example: aspirin, adrenaline, chloroform, heparin or quinidine.

Leukocytes below normal

In contrast, low leukocytes are referred to as leukopenia. This condition occurs as a result of the interaction of many different factors, such as:

1. autoimmune conditions (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus) in the course of which leukocytes are destroyed by the own immune system,
2. sepsis,
3. AIDS,
4. marrow fibrosis,
5. taking certain medications (e.g. barbiturates, anticonvulsants, certain antibiotics, sulfonamides or preparations used during chemotherapy),
6. bone marrow damage caused by chemo or radiotherapy,
7. myelodysplastic syndrome,
8. malnutrition,
9. diseases of the spleen and liver.

During diagnostics, the change in the number of leukocytes in subsequent tests is also taken into account. If subsequent tests show no change in the wrong result or even greater deviations from the norm – we may suspect that the treatment is ineffective or the disease is progressing even more. On the other hand, the result, which is closer to normal with each test, indicates an improvement in the patient’s health.

It should be borne in mind that testing the number of leukocytes allows you to assess the development of the disease, but it is not sufficient to make a diagnosis. It is only a screening parameter. In patients with abnormal results, careful consideration should be given to other blood counts and the patient’s medical history. Often, doctors order additional (detailed) tests, e.g. peripheral blood smear to assess the number of different types of white blood cells.

Leukocytes in the urine

There are a number of causes of leukocytes in the urine. The presence of too many leukocytes in the urine is usually a consequence of inflammation. For this reason, the most common cause of leukocytes in the urine can be considered acute and chronic urinary tract infection. The infection is usually caused by the presence of viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites or chlamydia. Symptoms of this ailment include frequent urination, burning and pain during micturition, pain in the lower abdomen, pressure on the bladder and a problem with urine retention. Some patients also report pain in the pubic and lumbar region.

The other causes of leukocyturia include:

1. kidney stones (with characteristic colic pain in the lumbar region),
2. interstitial nephritis (high temperature, joint pain, haematuria, skin rash in various locations),
3. glomerulonephritis (symptoms include: ischemic heart disease symptoms, weakness, anemia, proteinuria, haematuria, hypertension). In acute glomerulonephritis there is a characteristic foaming urine, the color of which may be red, pink or brown,
4. pyelonephritis (in the course of this disease there is pain in the lumbar region of varying severity),
5. appendicitis,
6. bladder cancer,
7. adnexitis,
8. dehydration,
9. chronic circulatory failure,
10. excessive physical effort,
11. feverish conditions,
12. medications you are taking, e.g. drugs to fight cancer, anti-tuberculosis drugs or medications for high blood pressure.

Also check:

1. Hematological diseases – what can happen to the blood?
2. Leukocytes in the urine of pregnancy – norms, causes and symptoms
3. OB – Biernacki’s reaction. What is the erythrocyte sedimentation index?

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.