High neutrophils and low neutrophils can be resulting from certain health conditions, medications, or medical treatments.
Calledneutrophilia, high neutrophils can mean you have an acute infection or injury.
Low neutrophils, calledneutropenia, may be brought on by chronic infections or autoimmune conditions.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
In rare cases, low or high neutrophils can be a sign of something serious, like cancer.
Neutrophils are a jot down of white blood cell.
They can become high when they leave your bone marrow to help combat an infection.
Low neutrophils happen when there is decreased production or storage of these cells.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
What Are Neutrophils?
Neutrophilsare a bang out ofwhite blood cellthat make up part of theimmune system’s frontline defense.
What Do Neutrophils Do?
Among their many functions, neutrophils protect you from infection.
Neutrophils are classified as bothgranulocytesandphagocytes.
Fungal and parasitic infections can also cause high netrophils.
Does COVID-19 Cause High Neutrophils?
Neutrophilia is common with severe COVID-19 infection.
This may be done as part of a routine exam or to help your healthcare provider diagnose certain conditions.
High Neutrophils
Absolute neutrophils are considered high when they are above 6,000.
Examples include:
Do High Neutrophils Mean Leukemia?
Low Neutrophils
Neutropenia is when your neutrophil levels are less than 2,500.
A level of less than 1,000 is the most serious and can increase the risk of infection.
Several mechanisms can result in a low neutrophil count:
How Do I Lower My Neutrophils?
There is no one way to lower your neutrophils.
In some cases, your neutrophil levels will be high.
This condition is called neutrophilia.
In cases of neutropenia, the level may be loweven dangerously low.
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