If you have had your blood tested, you may have seen the letters WBC among the results.
This is your white blood cell (WBC) count.
It is also used to monitor chronic health conditions and check your response to treatment.
Verywell/Nez Riaz
This article discusses the WBC count test.
It explains the different types of WBCs and what they do, and the normal WBC count by age.
Verywell/Nez Riaz
What Is a WBC Test?
White blood cellsare a group of blood cells that fight infection andinflammationin the body.
White blood cells are produced in thebone marrowand are an essential part of yourimmune system.
A WBC count is a test that involves a simpleblood draw.
you might generally get the test results back from the lab in a few days.
You don’t need any special preparations for a WBC count test.
You do not need to fast for it and it can be taken at any time of day.
Doing so helps narrow the possible causes.
WBC counts are often part of a more comprehensive test called acomplete blood cell (CBC) count.
WBCs are normally high at birth, steadily decrease through infancy, then gradually decline until adulthood.
They are measured by the number of white blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood (cells/mm3).
Normal WBC counts by age are as follows:
Normal results fall within these ranges.
Results below these ranges are considered low, and anything above is considered high.
However, what is normal can vary from one person to the next and can fluctuate throughout the day.
Normal WBC ranges can also be different from lab to lab.
What Is a Good WBC Level for a Woman?
The normal WBC count range for women is typically wider than that of men.
For women, a normal WBC can vary from 4,500 to 11,000 cells/mm3.
The normal range for men is between 5,000 and 10,000 cells/mm3.
What Does a High WBC Mean?
The WBC count isn’t specific enough to diagnose any particular disease.
Abnormal values are simply an indication that something may be wrong and what the possible causes may be.
If your WBC count is high, you have what is calledleukocytosis.
Some of the possible causes of leukocytosis include:
What Does a Low WBC Mean?
If yourWBC count is low, you are said to haveleukopenia.
Medications Can Cause Abnormal WBC Counts
Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause an abnormal WBC count.
It is essential always to review your medication history with your healthcare provider.
Certain drugs can cause your WBC count to drop below the normal range of values.
These include:
Some medicines can raise your WBC count.
A white blood cell count test measures the number of white blood cells in a sample of blood.
Normal WBC counts vary by age.
They start out high at birth and decline through childhood.
The normal range also varies by sex and can fluctuate throughout the day.
A WBC count isn’t specific enough to diagnose a particular disease or condition.
Still, the test can provide valuable clues as to what is causing your symptoms.
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