High White Blood Cell Count: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of high white blood cell count?

A high white blood cell (WBC) count, or leukocytosis, typically doesn’t cause symptoms by itself. However, the underlying condition causing the elevated WBC count can lead to a variety of symptoms. Some common symptoms that might be associated with conditions causing leukocytosis include:

1. Fever: Often a sign of infection or inflammation.
2. Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
3. Malaise: General feeling of discomfort or unease.
4. Dizziness or lightheadedness: May occur in some cases.
5. Unexplained weight loss: Can be a symptom of chronic conditions or malignancies.
6. Excessive sweating: Particularly at night.
7. Bleeding or bruising: Can occur if the high WBC count is due to a blood disorder.
8. Pain or inflammation: Such as in joints or muscles, depending on the underlying cause.
9. Respiratory symptoms: Such as shortness of breath or coughing, particularly if related to lung issues.
10. Frequent infections: Persistent or recurrent infections might indicate an underlying immune system issue.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of high white blood cell count?

A high white blood cell (WBC) count, or leukocytosis, can be caused by a variety of factors. Here are some of the common causes:

1. Infections: Bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections can stimulate the production of white blood cells to fight off the pathogens.
2. Inflammation: Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other autoimmune disorders can increase WBC counts.
3. Stress: Physical or emotional stress can temporarily elevate WBC counts.
4. Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, epinephrine, and some antibiotics, can cause an increase in WBC counts.
5. Bone Marrow Disorders: Diseases like leukemia or myeloproliferative disorders cause abnormal production of white blood cells.
6. Allergies and Asthma: Allergic reactions and asthma can lead to elevated WBC counts.
7. Tissue Damage: Trauma, burns, or surgery can result in increased production of white blood cells as the body responds to the damage.
8. Smoking: Chronic smoking can lead to a higher WBC count.
9. Immune System Disorders: Conditions such as lupus or Crohn’s disease can cause elevated WBC counts.
10. Splenectomy: Removal of the spleen can result in a persistently high WBC count.
11. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): A type of cancer that causes increased production of white blood cells.
12. Acute Stress Reaction: Physical stress, such as intense exercise or pain, can temporarily raise WBC counts.
13. Pregnancy and Labor: These physiological conditions can lead to an increase in WBC counts.
14. Hemolytic Anemia: A condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made, leading to increased WBC production.

Identifying the specific cause of a high WBC count requires a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider, who may order additional tests and examinations to determine the underlying condition.

What is the treatment for a high white blood cell count?

The treatment for a high white blood cell (WBC) count, or leukocytosis, depends on the underlying cause. Here are some common approaches:

1. Infections: Treating the infection with antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, or antiparasitic medications can help reduce the WBC count.
2. Inflammatory Conditions: Anti-inflammatory medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids can help manage conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Stress Management: Reducing physical or emotional stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, adequate sleep, and other stress management strategies can help normalize WBC counts.
4. Medications Adjustment: If certain medications are causing the elevated WBC count, a healthcare provider may adjust the dosage or switch to an alternative medication.
5. Allergies and Asthma: Treating allergies with antihistamines or corticosteroids and managing asthma with bronchodilators and inhaled steroids can help reduce WBC counts.
6. Bone Marrow Disorders: Treatment for bone marrow disorders, such as leukemia, may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a bone marrow transplant, depending on the specific condition.
7. Smoking Cessation: Quitting smoking can help lower WBC counts and improve overall health.
8. Tissue Damage: Addressing the underlying cause of tissue damage, such as surgery for trauma or burn treatment, can help reduce WBC counts as the tissue heals.
9. Immune System Disorders: Immunosuppressive medications or biologic agents may be used to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus or Crohn’s disease.
10. Splenectomy: For individuals who have had their spleen removed, managing any resulting conditions with appropriate medical care is essential.
11. Acute Stress Reaction: Treating the cause of acute stress, such as pain management or addressing intense physical exertion, can help normalize WBC counts.
12. Pregnancy and Labor: Elevated WBC counts during pregnancy and labor are typically monitored and managed by healthcare providers, with no specific treatment needed unless an underlying condition is identified.

In all cases, it is crucial to work with a healthcare provider to identify the specific cause of an elevated WBC count and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How is the diagnosis of high white blood cell count made?

The diagnosis of a high white blood cell count, also known as leukocytosis, is typically made through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the different types of cells in the blood. Here’s how it’s usually diagnosed:

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) test: A CBC is a routine blood test that measures the following:
   • Red blood cell count (RBCs)
   • White blood cell count (WBCs)
   • Hemoglobin (Hb) level
   • Hematocrit (Hct) level
   • Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
   • Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
2. White Blood Cell Count (WBC) measurement: The WBC count is the most important part of the CBC test for diagnosing leukocytosis. A high WBC count is usually defined as:
   • A value above 11,000-12,000 cells per microliter (μL) in adults
   • A value above 15,000-20,000 cells/μL in children
3. Differentiation of WBCs: In addition to measuring the total WBC count, a CBC test can also differentiate between the different types of white blood cells, such as:
   • Neutrophils (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils)
   • This helps healthcare providers identify the cause of leukocytosis, as different types of WBCs can indicate different underlying conditions.
4. Other diagnostic tests: If the CBC test suggests leukocytosis, additional tests may be ordered to determine the underlying cause. These tests may include:
   • Blood cultures to check for bacterial infections
   • Urinalysis to rule out urinary tract infections
   • Chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate for pneumonia or other respiratory infections
   • Bone marrow biopsy to evaluate for bone marrow disorders or cancer

In some cases, a healthcare provider may also perform a physical examination, take a medical history, and ask questions about symptoms to help diagnose the underlying cause of leukocytosis.

What is the treatment for a high white blood cell count?

The treatment for a high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Here are some general approaches:

Mild Leukocytosis (without symptoms):

1. Monitoring: If the leukocytosis is mild and not causing symptoms, healthcare providers may simply monitor the condition to ensure it doesn’t worsen.
2. Lifestyle changes: Encouraging lifestyle changes, such as getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and managing stress, can help alleviate symptoms.

Moderate to Severe Leukocytosis (with symptoms):

1. Antibiotics: If the high WBC count is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the underlying infection.
2. Corticosteroids: In some cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation and swelling.
3. Medications to reduce WBC production: Medications like hydroxyurea or azathioprine may be used to slow down WBC production in cases where the high WBC count is due to a bone marrow disorder or cancer.
4. Blood transfusions: In severe cases, blood transfusions may be necessary to replace abnormal WBCs with healthy ones.

Underlying Causes of Leukocytosis:

1. Infections: Treating the underlying infection with antibiotics or antiviral medications can help resolve the leukocytosis.
2. Autoimmune disorders: Treating the underlying autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can help reduce inflammation and normalize WBC counts.
3. Cancer: Treatment for cancer typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transplantation, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
4. Bone marrow disorders: Treating bone marrow disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome or myeloproliferative neoplasms often involves medication or stem cell transplantation.

Other Treatment Options:

1. Pharmacological therapy: Medications like thalidomide or lenalidomide can be used to reduce WBC production in some cases.
2. Stem cell therapy: In some cases, stem cell transplantation may be necessary to replace abnormal stem cells with healthy ones.
3. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove a source of infection or repair damaged tissues.

It’s essential to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your specific case of leukocytosis.