Leukocytes in the blood: normal indicators in tables by age

November 14, 2018

All tests in 1 day

One type of laboratory diagnosis is a general blood test. It allows you to identify a large number of pathologies, such as malignant tumors, infectious, inflammatory diseases, etc. It can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of patient treatment. After all, a general blood test can tell a lot about the state of the body.

Only specialized doctors can correctly decipher a general blood test. Therefore, without the appropriate medical knowledge, you should not even try to do it yourself. But it will not be superfluous to know by what indicators the blood is analyzed, as well as the norms of the test result. You will find this information in our article.

The role of leukocytes in the blood

White blood cells have an important mission for the human body - they protect it from viral and bacterial attacks, waste and toxins, and other foreign bodies. The leukocyte series consists of several types, each of which plays its own role:

1. Neutrophils - detect bacterial infections and destroy them.
2. Lymphocytes are responsible for the immune system and the so-called immune memory.
3. Monocytes - destroy foreign elements found in the blood.
4. Eosinophils are responsible for human allergic reactions.
5. Basophils - play a supporting role in detecting foreign particles and are important in inflammatory and allergic reactions.

The main tasks of leukocytes include:

1. Penetration into the gastrointestinal tract in order to capture nutrients and transport them into the blood. This is especially important for infants, who receive immune protection from their mother through breast milk.
2. Taking part in building humoral and cellular immunity, i.e. performing a protective function.
3. Dissolution of damaged tissues.

Why does the leukocyte level increase?

An increased level of leukocytes indicates the appearance of leukocytosis. However, if the level of leukocytes exceeds the level of leukocytes, it is impossible to talk about the disease. In such situations, leukocytosis is the result of unfavorable processes occurring in the body. It can be detected during various physiological or pathogenic processes occurring in the body. Depending on what caused the increase in the number of leukocytes in male blood, leukocytosis can be:

• physiological, due to simple reasons, for example, eating certain foods or physical activity
• pathological, resulting from inflammation or infectious processes
• eosinophilic, resulting from allergic reactions
• short-term, which indicates recent stress
• basophilic, occurring during myxedema or ulcerative colitis
• monocytic, caused by bacterial infection or oncology
• lymphocytic, occurring during acute chronic diseases, for example, with brucellosis or tuberculosis

Standard indicators: general information

The normal white blood cell count may vary from person to person. Moreover, the main criterion for difference is the age of the subject. So, in children this figure will be higher than in adults. Due to the fact that the norm is estimated in units per liter of blood, diet, body condition and time of day should also be taken into account. So, in the afternoon, after eating, after any stress, physical or mental, the concentration of the indicator will be increased. Gender has virtually no effect on the number of leukocytes. The amendment needs to be made only for a pregnant woman and a woman after 50 years, when due to hormonal changes the concentration of the indicator changes.

For a healthy person, the leukocyte composition of the blood looks like this:

• 55% – neutrophils: 45-72% – segmented neutrophils, 1-6% – band neutrophils;
• 19-37% – lymphocytes;
• 3-11% – monocytes;
• 0.5-5.0% – eosinophils;
• 0.5-1% – basophils.

In a blood test, these data are taken into account in relation to the content of the total number of immune cells.

On the Internet you can find a variety of white blood cell standards that differ greatly from each other. In reality, everything is much simpler - the range from 4 to 9 * 109 is accepted as the norm, with slight adjustments for gender, pregnancy, and age. Children have their own norms, this is due to the passage of a long period of growth and development from newborns to puberty.

Victoria Druzhikina

Neurologist, Therapist

Decreased red blood cells

The main symptoms of low red blood cell count are:

• Weakness or fatigue.
• Lack of energy.
• Paleness of the skin.

Reduced red blood cells are a relatively common pathology.
A low number of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin is called anemia. If there are few red blood cells, there is correspondingly less hemoglobin in the bloodstream, which carries oxygen. Thus, the body experiences oxygen starvation, and we feel weakness, drowsiness, loss of vitality, and dizziness. Due to anemia, hair falls out, the skin becomes pale and dry. There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or acquired; depending on severity - from mild to severe. According to a 2015 publication in The Lancet, about one-third of the world's population is anemic.

The most common causes of low red blood cells are:

• Unbalanced diet with deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid.
• Damage to the bone marrow (toxins, radiation or chemotherapy, infection, certain medications).
• Any bone marrow disease.
• Chronic inflammatory processes.
• Bleeding in the digestive tract (for example, from ulcers, polyps, colon cancer).
• Heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Trauma with massive blood loss.
• Conditions that cause the destruction of red blood cells (for example, hemolytic anemia caused by autoimmune processes or defects in the red blood cells themselves).
• Kidney failure – serious kidney pathologies lead to a decrease in erythropoietin (or hematopoietin), a kidney hormone that promotes the production of red blood cells.

The risk of anemia is higher in the following groups:

• children aged from 6 months to 2 years;
• pregnant or recently given birth women;
• following a diet low in vitamins, minerals and iron, red meat;
• patients who regularly take medications that cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa (for example, ibuprofen);
• having a family history of hereditary anemia such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia;
• patients with an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients (eg, Crohn's disease);
• have recently experienced major blood loss due to surgery or injury;
• people with chronic diseases (HIV, diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart failure, liver disease).

Norm indicators in the table by age for women

The range of standards is indicated in reference books and regulations used by doctors.

For a woman, the normal concentration of white blood cells is 4.0 - 9.0 * 109/l. In this case, the age table will look like this:

Table of normal levels of leukocytes in the blood of women.

The leukocyte norm in women can vary depending on the menstrual phase and hormonal levels. The norm of leukocytes in women after 50 years is somewhat different. This is due to hormonal fluctuations.

Thus, during menopause, the concentration of the indicator increases, replacing the production of certain hormones. After menopause, on the contrary, there is a decline in the activity of a number of hormones and cells, which include white blood cells. In digital terms it will look like this:

• 45-55 years – norm 3.3 – 8.8 units. by 109 cells per liter;
• 55-65 years – norm 3.1 – 7.58 *109/l.

What affects the level of leukocytes in men

In addition to age, there are many other factors that affect the level of leukocytes in a man’s blood. For example, in the evening their concentration is higher than in the daytime. Their levels also change under the influence of stress, physical overload and after eating certain foods. Therefore, before taking a general blood test, which is usually carried out in the morning, you need to skip breakfast.

The production of leukocytes is the work of the male bone marrow. There are several types of leukocytes, each of which is responsible for specific processes of hematopoiesis and the fight against various infections. A general blood test can determine the content of granulocytes, monocytes and lymphocytes. The level of leukocytes is determined by the leukocyte formula, which can be used to calculate the percentage of certain leukocytes.

Normal for pregnant women

Pregnant women experience changes according to many studies. During the period of bearing a child, the concentration of leukocyte cells up to 12-15*109/l is considered the norm. By trimester it will look like this:

High values ​​are due to increased protective functions of the body, thickening of the blood during pregnancy, and a decrease in the level of lymphocytes. Also during pregnancy you need to know your TSH level.

Also, an increased level of white blood cells is necessary to stimulate uterine contractions.

It is worth noting that each private laboratory has its own standards, slightly different from those prescribed in the document. This is due to the equipment used. Therefore, when donating blood privately, you should pay attention to the standards indicated on the form.

Table 1

Normal for men

The leukocyte count in men is subject to less fluctuations than in women. The norm for men by age is presented in the table:

Normal in children

Children tend to have higher white blood cell counts. The norm for different ages is presented in the table:

The table shows that the norm of leukocyte content in newborn children is very different, for example, from the norm in children 5 years old.

Red blood cells - erythrocytes

Red blood cells perform one of the important functions of blood. A drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells, which constantly circulate through the blood vessels, delivering oxygen to the organs and removing carbon dioxide formed during cellular respiration.

Red blood cells are called red blood cells because they contain the protein hemoglobin, which is bright red in color. It is hemoglobin that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide. As blood passes through the lungs, oxygen molecules attach to hemoglobin, which delivers it to every cell in our body. Freed from oxygen, hemoglobin attaches carbon dioxide molecules to itself. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is released and removed from the body through breathing.

The average lifespan of a red blood cell is 120 days. The bone marrow constantly produces blood cells, replenishing their natural loss.

Elevated leukocytes in the blood: causes and treatment

The condition in which white blood cells are elevated is called leukocytosis. It can occur in anyone. Short-term leukocytosis should not cause concern, because it may be associated with the influence of external factors. Thus, a newborn may react with an increased level of leukocytes to new complementary foods. For a man or woman, the norm is a slight increase in the concentration of the indicator as a result of the following situations:

• emotional tension and stress (treated by a psychologist);
• smoking (all the consequences of smoking are described here);
• consumption of certain foods;
• excessive physical activity;
• long stay in the sun or in the bath;
• change of time zones.

To eliminate errors in the analysis, it must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach in a calm state. If, when following all the canons of taking the test, the result still turns out to be above the norm, then we can talk about leukocytosis associated with the presence of some kind of disease.

The reasons why leukocyte cells are elevated may be:

1. Any infectious processes.
2. Autoimmune pathologies.
3. Chronic inflammatory processes.
4. Allergies (learn effective allergy remedies from this article).
5. Viral infection of the body.
6. Severe pain syndrome.
7. Oncological processes (examination and therapy are prescribed by an oncologist).
8. Burns and frostbite.
9. Parasitic contamination of the body.

Causes of increased leukocytes in the blood of women

Women are more likely to have inconsistent test results than men. In addition to the above, the reasons for this may be:

• emotional and mental state;
• changes in climate and weather conditions;
• phase of the menstrual cycle (read what to do with menstrual pain here);
• medications taken;
• inflammatory processes associated with the gynecological area (therapy is prescribed by a gynecologist).

A number of processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman determine the reasons for the increase in leukocytes in this category of people. In addition to the fact that white blood cells during pregnancy can be elevated due to physiological factors, experts separately identify the following sources:

Doctor's advice

To obtain reliable results, it is important to take a correct blood test. In emergency cases, you can do this after eating; in a planned manner, it is better to go to the treatment room on an empty stomach. It is advisable not to smoke for 2 hours before donating blood. A prerequisite is that if the test is prescribed not to assess the condition during an illness (cold, acute respiratory viral infection, sore throat, etc.), but during a medical examination, then you need to donate blood no less than 2 weeks after recovery in the case of a recent illness. If you perform a blood test a few days after illness, you may find elevated white blood cells that have not yet returned to normal due to the immune response. on the pathogen. Such results will require a second blood donation. Therefore, it is better to wait until 2 weeks have passed and then get examined.

Victoria Druzhikina Neurologist, Therapist

• allergic and inflammatory processes (treated by an allergist) associated with decreased immunity;
• taking medications to maintain pregnancy;
• worsening of chronic pathologies;
• pain in the lumbar region;
• anxiety associated with worries about the child’s development;
• hormonal imbalance (corrected by an endocrinologist), leading to blood thickening.

If a pregnant woman has an increased concentration of leukocyte cells, she will definitely be scheduled for a repeat examination to exclude pathology.

Why leukocytes may be elevated in men: reasons

In men, white blood cells can also be elevated for physiological and pathological reasons. In the first case, there is nothing to worry about: you just need to make sure that the test is taken in compliance with all the standards for passing it. Also, it is necessary to exclude the presence of a man in conditions with high air humidity and temperature immediately before the test. Pathological factors include any deviations in the functioning of the body associated with the occurrence of inflammatory, infectious or bacterial processes. This is due to the fact that it is the man’s immune system that is the first to respond to changes in the steadfastness of the internal environment of his body.

Elevated leukocytes in a child’s blood – what does this mean?

For a child, especially a small one, a condition such as constant mood swings, crying, anxiety, and fear is typical. Also, many parents misinterpret the conditions under which the child is kept. So, a comfortable air temperature for him should be in the range of 18-23 degrees. Adults are used to warmer temperatures. The same applies to baths: often a child is bathed in water that is too hot for him, despite the fact that it is comfortable for an adult. It is overheating and an unstable emotional state that are often the reason why a child’s leukocytes are elevated. Also, the reason for the discrepancy between the indicator and the norm in a child can be vaccination. If the concentration of leukocyte cells is increased significantly even after repeated analysis, then we should talk about pathological phenomena that require research and treatment.

Deviation from the norm is not always a disease

If the level of red blood cells during the first analysis is slightly outside the normal range, do not panic.
Your doctor will help you interpret the results correctly, taking into account your individual characteristics and medical history. A single slightly elevated or slightly decreased result may have no medical significance. There are several factors that can cause a test result to fall outside the established reference range without pathological reasons:

• Under the influence of external factors (stress, previous infections, physical activity), the results of the analysis of the same person may differ slightly. In this case, a person can be healthy. If the analysis shows a slight deviation, retake the test on another day.
• Individual characteristics. For some people, the boundaries of the norm may differ slightly from generally accepted ones. Reference values ​​are valid for the vast majority of people, but we are all different, and in some rare cases, a healthy person may have their own norms, slightly different from the usual values.

Only a doctor can accurately determine this after conducting additional research.

Low leukocytes: causes, treatment

If leukocytes are elevated, this is not always bad. Thus, the body reports some kind of failure and activates protective resources to combat it. A low level of leukocyte cells (leukopenia) is of greater concern. If white blood cells are low, this means that the body cannot fight pathogenic elements. Those. We are talking about the presence of some kind of disease. There are three main factors known for which leukocyte bodies are not produced in the required quantities:

• Lack of necessary substances to build new cells.
• The production of white blood cells with their simultaneous death when fighting foci of infections.
• Imbalance of bone marrow functions.

Leukopenia can be found in both men and women.

The main sign of a prolonged deviation from standard values ​​is an infectious disease, which is manifested by fever and chills and is a consequence of intoxication that is not restrained by leukocytes.

The main factor in combating a low level of leukocyte cells is to prevent the development of infectious diseases, which consists of:

• a well-chosen diet;
• wearing a respiratory mask;
• excluding all contacts with already sick people;
• See a doctor at the slightest increase in temperature;
• treatment with folk remedies.

In severe cases of the disease, drug therapy is carried out. Often the patient is hospitalized to restore immunity.

Where are they formed and how long do they live?

The bulk of white cells, namely granulocytes, are produced by red bone marrow from stem cells. From the maternal (stem) cell, a precursor cell is formed, then passes into a leukopoetin-sensitive cell, which, under the influence of a specific hormone, develops along the leukocyte (white) series: myeloblasts - promyelocytes - myelocytes - metamyelocytes (young forms) - rods - segmented. Immature forms are found in the bone marrow, mature forms enter the bloodstream. Granulocytes live for about 10 days.

• Clinical blood analysis: from light microscope to hematological analyzers

The lymph nodes produce lymphocytes and a significant proportion of monocytes. Some agranulocytes from the lymphatic system enter the blood, which transports them to the organs. Lymphocytes live a long time - from several days to several months and years. The lifespan of monocytes ranges from several hours to 2-4 days.

Treatment of leukocytosis

Leukocytosis is usually detected only by blood tests. A person does not feel any obvious symptoms indicating a change in the blood. Thus, he may complain of a number of ailments, which are often not associated in any way with a deviation from standard values ​​in the concentration of white blood cells:

• general malaise and fatigue;
• loss of appetite, dizziness (other possible causes of dizziness in women are described here), excessive sweating;
• joint and muscle pain;
• sleep disorder (treated by a somnologist), weakened vision (therapy carried out by an ophthalmologist).

In order to reduce the value of an indicator, the increase of which is associated with physiological reasons, it is recommended:

• avoid hypothermia and overheating;
• Healthy food;
• observe a rest regime;
• be less nervous.

Those. therapy is associated with the elimination of factors causing an increase in the indicator.

If a diagnosis of “leukocytosis” is established, self-medication should not be done under any circumstances. The doctor himself, based on repeated tests and additional examinations, will determine the etymology of the growth of leukocyte cells and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

This article has been verified by a current qualified physician, Victoria Druzhikina, and can be considered a reliable source of information for site users.

Bibliography

1.https://medline.ru/public/art/tom18/art6.html 2. Uncle G.I. et al. Universal reference book for a practicing physician (Section “General blood test”) // Voronezh: Scientific book. - 2021. - 512 p. 3. Kishkun A. A. Clinical laboratory diagnostics. Textbook (Chapter 2. Hematological studies) // M.: GEOTAR-Media. — 2015. — 976 p.

4. Standards for indicators of the composition of blood cells and other indicators are reflected in the ORDER of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated 09/14/2001 364 (as amended on 06/06/2008), Appendix 3 “NORMS FOR THE COMPOSITION AND BIOCHEMICAL INDICATORS OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD”
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