Normal Values:

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

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What abnormal results mean:

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

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

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

• Anemia
• Bone marrow tumors
• 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.