WBC count

A blood sample is needed.

Most of the time, you do not need to take special steps before this test. Tell your health care provider the medicines you are taking, including the ones without a prescription. Some drugs may change the test results.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.

You will have this test to find out how many WBCs you have. Your provider may order this test to help diagnose conditions such as: An infection Allergic reaction Inflammation Blood cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma

The normal number of WBCs in the blood is 4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter (4.5 to 11.0 × 10 9 /L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about your test results.

LOW WBC COUNT A low number of WBCs is called leukopenia. A count less than 4,500 cells per microliter (4.5 × 10 9 /L) is below normal. Neutrophils are one type of WBC. They are important for fighting infections. A lower than normal WBC count may be due to: Bone marrow deficiency or failure (for example, due to…

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may…

Marcogliese AN, Hensch L. Resources for the hematologist: interpretive comments and selected reference values for neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 159. Vajpayee N,…