Blood circulates through the body providing nutrients and oxygen to all the cells in the body and similarly removes the waste products. When you go in for a complete physical test, you will probably undergo a series of tests to evaluate the composition and concentration of all the cellular components of blood. This test is known as the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and consists of tests to evaluate Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) count, the platelet count, measurement of hemoglobin, mean red cell volume and a few more.
The Complete Blood Count helps evaluate the blood and the bone marrow and is usually performed to ensure oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, identify infections, diagnose anemia and leukemia and also gauge the effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on blood production cells.
White Blood Cells
The white blood cells are also known as leukocytes. In the absence of any disease, they form just about 1% by volume of the total blood in the body. When produced by the bone marrow the ‘immature’ white blood cells are released into the peripheral blood and are called bands or stabs. They are destroyed in the lymphatic system 13 to 20 days after they are produced by the bone marrow.
White blood cells help fight infection through a process known as ‘phagocytosis’ wherein they surround the foreign organisms and then destroy it. Along with fighting infection, white blood cells also help produce, transport and distribute antibodies to build the body’s immune system. In case of acute infection, the white blood cells produce a substance known as the colony-stimulating factor (CSF), which stimulates the bone marrow to increase the white blood cell production. The production of the cells can be doubled within a few hours.
White Blood Cell Count
The complete blood count provides a count of the white blood cell and also an automated differential count that determines the percentage of the five types of mature white blood cells present in the human body. The five types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lympocytes, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils have a multi-lobed nucleus. These are differentiated based on the color of the cytoplasm, size and the color of the nucleus and lastly, the size and color of the granules present in the blood cells. The white blood cell count helps provide information about various illnesses and also help monitor the patient’s recovery once treatment is started. The differential blood count indicates as to which kind of blood cells are the most affected.
The normal white blood count is between 4500 and 10000 cells per micro-liter depending on the sex and age of the individual with each type of white blood cell representing:
* Neutrophils: 50 – 70%
* Lympocytes: 25 – 35%
* Basophils: 0.4 – 1%
* Eosinophils: 1 – 3%
* Monocytes: 4 – 6%
A high blood count (above 30000 cells per micro-liter) indicates is not a specific disease by itself but indicates infection, systemic illness, inflammation, allergy, leukemia and tissue injury caused due to burns. The count of white blood cells also increases when certain medicines like antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs. Smoking and too much of mental stress also increases the count of the white blood cells in the body. Also, once the count of white blood cell is on the higher side, the risk of cardiovascular mortality also increases. It turns into a vicious circle. On the other end, a low count of white blood cells indicates viral infections, low immunity and bone marrow failure. A severely low white blood count that is the count of less than 2500 cells per micro-liter is a cause for a critical alert and possess a high risk of sepsis.
The white blood count is an easily available, inexpensive and a reliable test which enables the doctors to arrive at better prognosis regarding the patient’s well being. However, researchers believe that a cause and effect link between the higher white blood cell count and illness has not been established and they continue to evaluate if the elevated count helps trigger a serious disease or if the cells count rises naturally after an illness.
It is very important to undergo annual physical checkups and insist on a complete blood count analysis, especially as you grow older. Diseases like cancer if detected early can be treated very easily when compared to detecting it at an advanced stage. Exercise regularly and take care of your physical and mental well being. Eat healthy and lead a long and full filling life.
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