Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell. They are essential to the functioning of the immune system, which sees off pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. In fact, most of the white blood cells that lead the immune system’s response are neutrophils. Show
Overview Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell. In fact, most of the white blood cells that lead the immune system’s response are neutrophils. There are four other types of white blood cells. Neutrophils are the most plentiful type, making up 55 to 70 percent of your white blood cells. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are a key part of your immune system. Your immune system is made up of tissues, organs, and cells. As part of this complex system, white blood cells patrol your bloodstream and lymphatic system. When you’re sick or have a minor injury, substances that your body sees as foreign, known as antigens, call your immune system into action. Examples of antigens include:
White blood cells produce chemicals that fight antigens by going to the source of the infection or inflammation. Neutrophils are important because, unlike some of the other white blood cells, they aren’t limited to a specific area of circulation. They can move freely through the walls of veins and into the tissues of your body to immediately attack all antigens. An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) can provide your doctor with important clues about your health. An ANC is typically ordered as part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential. A CBC measures the cells that are in your blood. Your doctor may order an ANC:
If your ANC is abnormal, your doctor will likely want to repeat the blood test multiple times over a period of weeks. This way, they can monitor for changes in your neutrophil count. What to expectFor the ANC test, a small amount of blood will be drawn, usually from a vein in your arm. This will happen at your doctor’s office or in a lab. The blood will be evaluated in a laboratory and the results will be sent to your doctor. Certain conditions can affect the results of your blood test. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, or if you’ve had any of the following:
Understanding the resultsIt’s important to have your doctor explain your test results. Results can vary widely from lab to lab. They’re also different depending on:
Note that the reference ranges listed here are measured in microliters (mcL), and are only approximate. Having a high percentage of neutrophils in your blood is called neutrophilia. This is a sign that your body has an infection. Neutrophilia can point to a number of underlying conditions and factors, including:
If your neutrophil counts are high, it can mean you have an infection or are under a lot of stress. It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions. Neutropenia, or a low neutrophil count, can last for a few weeks or it can be chronic. It also can be a symptom of other conditions and diseases, and it places you at greater risk for acquiring more serious infections. If abnormal neutrophil counts are due to an underlying condition, your outlook and treatment will be determined by that condition. If your doctor orders a CBC with differential or an ANC screen, you may find it useful to ask the following questions.
White blood cells play an important role in your body’s immune system, searching the blood for invading viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When a foreign virus or bacteria enters your blood, the white blood cell (aka leukocyte), recognizes and destroys the invading particle before it can cause disease. There are several different types of white blood cells, each with their own function. Some directly destroy the foreign bacteria, while others attack your own cells that are infected by viruses. Other types of white blood cells can even play a role in allergic reactions!
What happens when you have elevated white blood cells?Since white blood cells fight off infection, people tend to think that elevated levels are actually beneficial. This is not necessarily the case! A high white blood cell count isn’t a specific disease in itself, but it can indicate an underlying problem, such as infection, stress, inflammation, trauma, allergy, or certain diseases. That’s why a high white blood cell count usually requires further investigation. The InsideTracker blood analysis measures your white blood cell count, and will tell you whether it is in the optimal zone for you. If your white blood cell count is elevated, you should speak with your doctor.In addition to your total white blood cell count, InsideTracker also measures the different types of white blood cells, which can give clues as to what may be causing the elevated white blood cell count. The types of white blood cells include: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Neutrophils, which account for about 70% of white blood cells, can increase in response to bacterial infections as well as to physical or emotional stress. A high lymphocyte count may occur when there is a viral or bacterial infection. Increased monocytes can indicate chronic inflammation. Elevated levels of basophils and eosinophils may occur when there is an allergic response or in cases of a parasitic infection. What are the symptoms of elevated white blood cell count?The only way to truly determine if your levels are too high is to get your blood tested, by your physician’s office or through InsideTracker. People with high (above normal) white blood cell count, a condition called leukocytosis, typically don’t have any specific symptoms, but may have a medical condition that is responsible for raising white blood cell levels. 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. Since a high (above normal) white blood cell count can be a symptom of another underlying problem, you might experience symptoms that are associated with that condition. However, people with leukocytosis may also experience a combination of these symptoms: fever, fainting, bleeding, bruising, weight loss, and general pain.What are the causes of elevated white blood cell count?There are a few reasons why you might have high (above normal) white blood cell count:Infection—As infection-causing bacteria or viruses multiply in the blood, your bone marrow produces more white blood cells to fight off the infection. Infection can also lead to inflammation, which can in turn cause the number of white blood cells to increase. Smoking or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)—Essentially, COPD means that you have a lung and airway disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis that blocks proper airflow. It is commonly caused by cigarette smoking, which results in inflammation in the lungs and air passages. As you gain more inflammation in your lungs and airways, your body will produce more white blood cells to fight it off. Leukemia—Leukemia is a type of cancer that dramatically increases your number of white blood cells. Leukemic white blood cells are often non-functional, which may increase the risk of infection in these cancer patients. Immune system disorders—Some auto-immune disorders like Crohn’s or Graves’ disease can elevate your white blood cell levels. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor should monitor your white blood cell levels. Stress—Finally, emotional or physical stress can also cause elevated white blood cell counts. The good news is that white blood cell levels will return to normal after the stress is gone.
How does exercise affect your white blood cell count?If you got your blood tested right after working out, you might not have to worry—your body actually increases your white blood cell count during exercise! In fact, this increase in the activity of your white blood cells might actually allow your body to identify disease-causing organisms more rapidly than under normal circumstances, which is yet another benefit of exercise. Immediately after exercise, your levels of white blood cells increase in proportion to the intensity and duration of the workout. One study showed that runners’ white blood cell levels triple during a marathon. Since the amount of white blood cells then drops to its normal level after exercise, you should ideally wait one day after a heavy workout session to get your blood tested.What types of foods will help to decrease your elevated white blood cell count?What you eat also has an effect on your white blood cell count. To keep your levels in check, avoid eating foods that are high in fat, calories, sugar, and salt (such as fast foods). Aim for foods that are high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E, fiber, calcium, fish oils, mono-unsaturated fats, and low on the glycemic index. Your InsideTracker Plan will give you recommendations for a variety of foods that satisfy your preferences and provide you with the nutrients you need. Some foods that have been shown to have an effect on lowering inflammation include garlic, grapes, herbs and spices, soy protein, nuts, olive oil, black and green teas, and vinegar. Aim to eat at least six servings of fruits and vegetables per day, which will benefit much more than your white blood cell levels. Other specific nutrients to increase in your diet include:Omega-3 fatty acids—Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat (or PUFA) that is known to increase heart health and elevate the activity of phagocytes, a type of white blood cells that protect you from foreign bacteria. Omega-3 PUFAs are found mainly in fatty fish like trout, herring, and salmon, but also in walnuts and flaxseed. Studies have shown that PUFAs significantly increased white blood cell counts in women on a controlled diet. Antioxidants—Antioxidants are a type of a molecule that protects our cells against harmful molecules called free radicals, which damage cells, protein, and DNA (for instance, free radicals cause peeled apples to turn brown). Eating more phytochemicals helps protect against this type of damage. Phytochemicals with antioxidant capacity include allyl sulfides (found in onions, leeks, and garlic), carotenoids (in fruits and carrots), flavonoids (fruits and vegetables), and polyphenols (in tea and grapes). While they don’t specifically work to increase white blood cell count, they help to support a healthy immune system. Vitamin C—Vitamin C helps the body to produce more white blood cells, which in turn helps the body to fight infections. All citrus fruits—including oranges, lemons, and limes—contain vitamin C. You can also get vitamin C from other fruits, such as berries, papayas, pineapples and guavas, and vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and bell peppers. In addition to these nutrients, you may want to invest in some non-alcoholic beer! Believe it or not, one study showed that drinking 1 to 1.5 liters of non-alcoholic beer for 3 weeks before and 2 weeks after running a marathon helps to reduce both inflammation and white blood cell count! Whether or not you are an athlete, use InsideTracker to find out your white blood cell levels so you can optimize your performance and your overall well-being by taking the proper action if you find out they’re too high! Don't forget to view the free InsideTracker demo here! Some other blog posts we think you'll love!What does it mean if white blood cell count and neutrophils are high?Neutrophils: Increased levels of neutrophils in their body lead to a physical state known as neutrophilic leukocytosis. This condition is a normal immune response to an event such as infection, injury, inflammation, some medications, and certain types of leukemia.
When should I be concerned about high neutrophils?An absolute neutrophil count identifies how many neutrophils are in a sample of your blood. The normal range of neutrophils in a healthy adult is between 2,500 and 7,000 neutrophils per microliter of blood. Any number above 7,000 or below 2,500 puts you at risk of a neutrophil condition.
What diseases cause high neutrophils?Some specific causes of an increased neutrophil count (neutrophilia) include:. Infections.. Stress11.. Blood cell-related cancers such as leukemia.. Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.. Trauma and burns.. Smoking12.. Pregnancy.. Thyroiditis.. What bacterial infections cause high neutrophils?Acute bacterial infections, such as pneumococcal, staphylococcal, or leptospiral infections, are the most frequent causes of infection-induced neutrophilia. Certain viral infections, such as herpes complex, varicella, and EBV infections, may also cause neutrophilia.
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What causes high white blood cell count and high neutrophils
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