Title: WBC (White Blood Cell) Count: Purpose, Procedure, and Results
Headings: WBC (White Blood Cell) Count
WBC (White Blood Cell) Count
Understanding the WBC (white blood cell) count
Purpose of a WBC count
Types of WBCs
A normal WBC count
Symptoms of an abnormal WBC count
What to expect from a WBC count
Complications from a WBC count
How to prepare for a WBC count
Understanding the results of a WBC count
Q&A: Increasing your WBC count
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Content: To identify the exact cause of a high or low WBC count, your doctor will take several factors into consideration, such as your list of current medications, symptoms, and medical history. Leukopenia is the medical term used to describe a low WBC count. A low number can be triggered by: HIV
autoimmune disorders
bone marrow disorders or damage
lymphoma
severe infections
liver and spleen diseases
lupus
radiation therapy
some medications, such as antibiotics
Leukocytosis is the medical term used to describe a high WBC count. This can be triggered by: smoking
infections such as tuberculosis
tumors in the bone marrow
leukemia
inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and bowel disease
stress
exercise
tissue damage
pregnancy
allergies
asthma
some medications, such as corticosteroids
After diagnosing the cause of a high or low WBC count and recommending a treatment plan, your doctor will periodically recheck your WBCs. If your WBC count remains high or low, this can indicate that your condition has worsened. Your doctor may adjust your treatment. If your WBC count shows a normal range, this usually indicates that the treatment is working. Q&A: