Leukocytosis

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Leukocytosis is an abnormally high level of the combination of all leukocyte (i.e., white blood cell) types. It may be due to a rise in all subtypes, or to a rise in one type; there are specific terms for a selective rise, such as eosinophilia or lymphocytosis. An abnormally low count is called leukopenia.

The normal count can vary among laboratories, but a typical normal adult range is 4,500-10,000 cells per microliter. [1]

Elevated counts suggest infection, inflammation, or a disorder of the blood-forming apparatus. In such cases, the white blood cell differential, giving the relative percentage or absolute counts of the subtype, is needed to characterize the situation.

References

  1. WBC count, Medline Plus