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WBC count

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Leukocyte count; White blood cell count

Normal Values:

4,500-10,000 white blood cells/mcL (cells per microliter)

What abnormal results mean:

A low number of WBCs is called leukopenia. It may be due to:

• Bone marrow failure (for example, due to infection, tumor, or abnormal scarring)
• Collagen-vascular diseases (such as lupus erythematosus )
• Disease of the liver or spleen
• Radiation

A high number of WBCs is called leukocytosis. It may be due to:

• Anemia
• Infectious diseases
• Inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or allergy )
• Leukemia
• Severe emotional or physical stress
• Tissue damage (for example, burns)

These lists are not all inclusive.

References:

McPherson RA and Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:461-2.

Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005:2676-77, 2733.

• Review Date: 3/8/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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