WBC - what is it in the blood? Explanation of the analysis

A clinical blood test is one of the most informative and common diagnostic methods for many diseases. Quite often, patients are asked to pass an analysis on the WBC in the blood. What it is? This analysis is a study of the level of leukocyte count. This biochemical study refers to analyzes of a general type. The main goal is to determine the number of leukocytes in the serum. The result of this study is the picture of the general condition of a person and the level of his immunity. It must also be said that the level of leukocytes is one of the most significant indicators of the patient's body.

WBC: features and leukocyte formula

In a general blood test, WBC is determined predominantly along with the leukocyte formula. There are five types of leukocytes studied during this procedure: eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and basophils. The leukocyte formula is understood as the percentage of these species. Consider the leukocytes in more detail.

Neutrophils

They are the most numerous and perform a major role in maintaining human immunity. Normally, neutrophils are contained in the blood of an adult person in an amount of 60 to 75 percent, and in children between the ages of six and twelve, their number can fluctuate between 30 and 65 percent. This is able to detect a WBC score in a blood test. Decipherment and the norm in women will also be examined by us.

If the level of neutrophils increases( a condition called neutrophilia), then this indicates the presence of an infectious disease. They are quite numerous: bronchitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, sinusitis, intestinal infection, thyroiditis, arthritis, pancreatitis, peritonitis, gangrene, abscess, osteomyelitis, phlegmon, cancer tumors, diabetes, heart attacks, uremia.

When the neutrophil level decreases, that is, with neutropenia, it is possible to suspect the presence of other infections, for example, viral hepatitis, influenza, rubella, chicken pox, typhoid, aplastic anemia, acute leukemia, thyrotoxicosis. Consider why you might still need a transcript of the blood on the WBC.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are a special kind of leukocytes responsible for creating a specific type of body's immunity. It should be noted that in the blood of children up to four to six years of age this species is predominant. Only when a person grows out of this age, neutrophils gradually begin to predominate over the lymphocytes. In the blood of an adult human, the lymphocyte content should normally range from 20 to 35 percent. If the lymphocytes in the blood are increased, this may be evidence of the development of viral infections in the patient, such as adenovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, thyrotoxicosis, tuberculosis, childhood infections( whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, rubella), bronchial asthma. Significantly increase lymphocytes in the presence of human lymphocytic leukemia, that is, bone marrow lesions in the form of a tumor.

Eosinophils

Eosinophils protect the body from allergic reactions and parasites. Their blood norm in the WBC analysis should range from one to five percent among the number of all types of leukocytes. The cause of increased content of this variety may be parasitic infections( ascaridosis, echinococcosis, enterobiasis, giardiasis, opisthorchiasis), allergic reactions, malignant neoplasms, rheumatoid arthritis, hematopoietic system diseases, nodular periarteritis, scleroderma. Eosinophils are reduced in purulent processes, sepsis, at the very onset of inflammation, when poisoning with heavy metals.

Monocytes

Monocytes are immature blood cells that transform when they enter macrophage tissues. The latter, in turn, absorb foreign microorganisms, various pathogens, dead cells. Judging by the interpretation of the WBC blood test, normal monocytes should be kept in quantities of four to ten percent. If their content is increased( a condition called monocytosis), then this indicates lymphosis, lymphogranulomatosis, certain types of leukemia, tuberculosis, subacute endocarditis, sepsis, malaria, mononucleosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, syphilis. In the case of a reduced number of monocytes, one can judge whether the patient has radiation sickness, lesion or bone marrow dysfunction. As you can see, the WBC indicator in the blood test is very informative. The norm of another type of leukocyte is also considered for diagnosis.

Basophils

Basophils, or mast cells, are a kind of leukocytes responsible for the release of histamine, that is, a hormone that provokes an allergic reaction of the body. Their normal content is from zero to one percent. Basophils in the blood are increased in the presence of allergic diseases, chronic myelogenous leukemia, megakaryoblastic leukemia, systemic mastocytosis, Hodgkin's disease, a number of infections, for example, tuberculosis, chicken pox, influenza. The low content of basophils indicates an acute infection, anaphylactic shock, hyperthyroidism, bronchial asthma.

So, let's look at the normal WBC performance. What is it in the blood, we explained.

WBC norm depending on age and diagnosis

Depending on this or that age category, the WBC rate will have certain indicators. In this analysis, the number of white blood cells in the whole and the index of each leukocyte type in particular will be calculated. The norm is determined by the state of the organism and the age of the patient. Thus, the reference values ​​of an adult person range from 4-9 * 109 per liter. The level of white blood cells in young children may have an elevated index. Infant norm can reach 12.5 * 109 per liter. With the passage of time, this indicator decreases, and the adult norm is reached by fifteen years. In addition, the leukocyte formula is also taken into account, which refers to the ratio of all blood cells in the body. Since the patient is taking WBC as part of a clinical blood test, the procedure is standard and does not require complicated preparation. In the morning hours( always on an empty stomach) in the laboratory, blood is surrendered to the WBC.The norm in women by age is presented in the table below.

Deviations

Elevated levels of leukocytes indicate a phenomenon such as leukocytosis. It should be noted that it can be physiological and appear in a healthy person, as well as pathological, that is, develop against a background of a disease. In the case of an increase in the physiological character, it is possible to judge the factors that influence the change in the content of leukocytes. It can be caused by:

• physical loads;
• by overheating or undercooling;
• pregnancy;
• splash psycho-emotional character.

We present a table of the contents of different forms of leukocytes depending on the age of the patients.

According to the decoding of the blood test for WBC in adults, leukocytosis testifies to the presence of one of the following diseases:

• of all kinds of infections;
• of meningitis, that is, an inflammatory process that occurs in the membranes of the spinal cord and brain;
• faces;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• otitis;
• inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue - phlegmon, abscess, panaricium;
• of acute pancreatitis;
• suppuration and inflammation of the abdominal cavity - peritonitis, appendicitis;
• leukemia, that is, tumor diseases;
• of chronic kidney failure;
• diabetic coma;
• heart attacks;
• uremia;
• traumatic tissue injury;
• of eclampsia;
• acute bleeding;
• thyroid disorders.

Recommendations

It is because of the presence of ordinary external factors that change the indicators, the blood test must be taken only in the morning and be sure before meals. When decoding this study, various kinds of inflammatory processes can be identified, namely bronchitis, subcutaneous tissue defects, meningitis, otitis, abdominal diseases, certain neoplasms, traumas, acute bleeding, etc.

A serious decrease in leukocyte count is called leukopenia, andthis is quite a serious problem, which has an immediate threat to human life.

It should be noted that when decoding this blood test, the causes directly influencing the leukocyte level can be found:

• pathology, which has a depressing effect on the production of leukocytes in the bone marrow;
• oncological diseases accompanied by metastases;
• increase in spleen size;
• radiation sickness;
• tuberculosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, syphilis, viral hepatitis, brucellosis.

How to prepare for the surrender of the WBC?What is it in the blood, is of interest to many.

Features of preparation

Before taking the blood test, you must refrain from eating for at least 10-12 hours. It is allowed to drink only pure water without gas, coffee and tea are forbidden. This is due to the fact that the level of leukocytes rises a few hours after eating. Also, it is not necessary to drink alcoholic beverages for a couple of days prior to blood sampling, as they adversely affect the body, can affect the change in the indicators, as a result of which the result will be wrong. It is also necessary to avoid possible stresses and emotional loads before the analysis. In addition, you need to refrain from serious physical exertion for two to three days before visiting the laboratory. Women need to pay attention to the possible pregnancy and cycle period, because before the beginning of menstruation there are changes in the level of leukocytes.

Now we know what it is WBC in blood.