What are leukocytes?
Leukocytes are white blood cells. White blood cells are key to the body’s immune system and are found in different places around the body. This test measures the number of white blood cells and gives a general indication of a person’s health. Both high and low white blood cell counts can indicate a health problem.
Why test leukocytes?
Health check
Discover your risk factors for lifestyle diseases in time to do something about them.
Symptoms
Symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
Monitoring
Monitor changes to your blood values as you make lifestyle changes or undergo treatments.
What do the results mean?
What causes low leukocyte levels?
Known as leukopenia, a low white blood cell count can result from bone marrow problems, lymphoma, autoimmune disorders, dietary deficiencies, overwhelming infections (e.g. sepsis), and diseases of the immune system such as HIV.
Symptoms of low leukocytes
Low leukocyte (white blood cell) levels, known as leukopenia, can increase susceptibility to infection. Symptoms may include frequent infections, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers, and fatigue. Other signs include inflammation or swelling, persistent coughing, and difficulty healing from minor wounds. Leukopenia can result from various conditions such as autoimmune disorders, bone marrow disorders, certain medications, severe infections, and some types of cancer treatment.
What causes high leukocyte levels?
Also known as leucocytosis, a high white blood cell count can be caused by a number of different health conditions and diseases, including infections, inflammation, some types of cancer, trauma, burns, surgery, heart attack, allergies, and asthma.
Symptoms of high leukocytes
High leukocyte (white blood cell) levels, or leukocytosis, can indicate an underlying infection or inflammation. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, weakness, pain in limbs or abdomen, weight loss, and general malaise. Leukocytosis can result from infections, inflammation, stress, trauma, allergic reactions, leukemia, and other bone marrow disorders.
More information
Spleen removal can result in a persistent mild to moderate increase in white blood cells. Intense exercise or severe stress (either physical or emotional) can increase WBC count, but the test is not used to evaluate these conditions. Late pregnancy and labor may increase WBC levels.
In some populations, WBC counts may be related to one's age, sex, ethnicity, and smoking status. Older people may fail to develop a high WBC count (leukocytosis) as a response to infection. Many medications cause both increased and decreased WBC counts.
Preparations for this test
No preparations are needed for this test.
On the day of the test
Always take your ID with you when going for a test. Arrive early and sit for 15 minutes before the test is taken.