High White Blood Cell Count Causes

High white blood cell count is usually referred as leukocytosis, which can further be classified into five subcategories, depending on the type of white blood cells that increase in number. White blood cells (WBC), also called leukocytes, are the integral part of our immune system, that help to fight infectious agents like bacteria, virus and fungi, and thus defend the body against their invasion. There are five types of white blood cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes and lymphocytes, all of which are produced in the bone marrow.

Out of these, the first three types of WBC, i.e., neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are the granulocytes, that contain microscopic granules in the cytoplasm. Monocytes and lymphocytes fall into the category of agranulocytes, as they do not contain microscopic granules in the cytoplasm. An increase in the number of neutrophils is termed as neutrophilia, while an increase in eosinophils is known as eosinophilia. Similarly, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and basophilia are the terms used to refer to the increase in the levels of lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils respectively.

What Triggers Leukocytosis?

Elevated white blood cell count means that there is an increase in the production of white blood cells, which can be due to an infection. In other words, the body may be producing more white blood cells to fight an infection. Other than infection, certain drugs, immune system disorder, and diseases of the bone marrow can cause the production of white blood cells to increase abnormally. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, as well as fungal infections and tissue damage caused by burns can also be associated with an elevated white blood cell count in infants and adults.

Some of the medical conditions that can be associated with this condition are allergies, hemorrhage, fever, cancer, especially acute and chronic leukemia, physical and emotional stress, tuberculosis, pneumonia, measles, rheumatoid arthritis, whooping cough, myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. Certain drugs or medications too, can cause the number of white blood cell to increase in some individuals. Some such medications are corticosteroids, chloroform, quinine, lithium, beta antagonist, aspirin and anti-seizure drugs.

Elevated white blood cell count in pregnancy is also very common. During pregnancy, the number of white blood cells can increase, which may not be associated with any disease. But, if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or any sign of infection, then it should be properly evaluated. On the other hand, elevated white blood cell count in urine can be associated with bacterial infection of the urinary tract, especially kidney and bladder infection. Obstruction in the bladder, as well as formation of kidney stones can be some other possible causes of excessive count of white blood cells in urine.

Treatment for Leukocytosis

The count of white blood cells is generally determined by examining a sample of blood, drawn from a vein, usually located inside the elbow or the back side of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, in order to draw out a small amount of blood. An elastic band is usually placed around the upper arm, so as to apply pressure to the area and cause the vein to swell a bit. The blood sample is collected in the vial or the tube attached to the needle, and then sent to the laboratory for examination. In the case of young children, blood is collected by puncturing the skin with the help of a lancet.

It can indicate an underlying condition, but it is not a specific disease. Therefore, the treatment for elevated white blood cell count depends on its causes. It can be treated only after ascertaining the underlying causes. The diagnostic tests performed for determining the causes of elevated white blood cells can vary considerably from one person to another, and so can the treatment. If the increase in the number of white blood cells is due to the intake of certain medications, then it can be treated by discontinuing the particular medicine and replacing it with another drug.

In general, elevated white blood cell count is not major health concern, unless it is accompanied by any other symptoms or health problems like, fever or infection. But, if your count of white blood cells is consistently high, then it is better to get this condition property evaluated to find out the underlying causes and also to rule out the possibility of any serious health problem.