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Leukocytosis is a condition that indicates an increased number of leukocytes in the blood. An increase in the level of white blood cells can indicate an infection, but it can also be a symptom of a more serious disease, including leukemia. The body’s natural response to various factors is called physiological leukocytosis. However, pathological leukocytosis should cause anxiety.
Physiological leukocytosis
If the tests show leukocytosis, otherwise known as hiperleukocytozą, this is not always a worrying sign. In many situations, an increase in the number of white blood cells is a natural reaction of the body to various factors, and not a symptom of a disease. We are then talking about physiological leukocytosis. It can be caused by physical exertion, stress, a heavy meal, a cold or other body infection. It is sometimes observed in response to pain, when the body becomes cold or overheated, but also in smokers. Hyperleukocytosis naturally occurs in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, as well as in newborns.
Sometimes, however, leukocytosis is a pathological phenomenon that indicates more serious diseases. The opposite of leukocytosis is leukopenia, i.e. the state of lowering the level of leukocytes in the blood.
Leukocytosis – types and causes
Leukocytes are a group of blood components that includes lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. They differ in size, functions and number. Leukocytosis indicates a higher number of white blood cells, but only a more careful examination can tell which one type of leukocytes is the most.
- Lymphocytosis indicates an increase in the number of lymphocytes present in the peripheral blood and indicates inflammation, a recent infection, as well as a bacterial (diphtheria, syphilis, tuberculosis) or viral infection. If the norm is significantly exceeded, lymphocytic leukemia cannot be excluded.
- Monocytosis, i.e. an excess of monocytes, appears after the removal of the spleen, but it is also a symptom of infection with bacteria, viruses and protozoa, cancer, collagenosis, Crohn’s disease, cirrhosis of the liver or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Neutrophilia is a type of leukocytosis related to neutrophils, i.e. neutrophils, which are the most numerous group of leukocytes present in the blood. It can appear during pregnancy, stressful situations and after eating. It often accompanies bacterial infections, removal of the spleen, leukemia, lymphomas (including Hodgkin’s), autoimmune diseases and Cushing’s syndrome.
- Eosinophilia arises when the number of eosinophils, i.e. eosinophils, increases. It happens that it accompanies recovery from infection, and is also a symptom of allergic diseases, including hay fever, atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. It appears after drugs and in parasitic infections, scarlet fever, AIDS, Addison’s disease, leukemia and other cancers.
- Basophilia refers to basophils, the excess of which is most often associated with tuberculosis, Crohn’s disease, myeloid leukemia and other hematological diseases.
Leukocytosis is detected after a complete blood count is performed. For an adult, the norm ranges from 4000 to 10000 leukocytes per 1 mm³ of blood.