Table of contents:
- What are neutrophils?
- How to check the level of neutrophils in the blood?
- What are the normal levels of neutrophils?
- Neutropenia
- Neutrophilia
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays an important role in your immune system. Levels in the blood that are lower or higher than normal can indicate a condition in your body. What does it mean if your neutrophil levels are abnormal? How do I return it to the normal amount? Check out the full explanation below.
What are neutrophils?
Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and function to protect the body from infection. This type of white blood cell is considered the "first line of defense" in the immune system. Neutrophils help fight infection by capturing and destroying microorganisms that invade the body.
Like other blood cells, this type of white blood cell also forms in the spinal cord. After forming in the spinal cord, this type of leukocyte is ready to slide into inflamed or infected tissues through blood vessels.
This type of white blood cell will continue to patrol for signs of microbial infection. When an infection is found, the neutrophils quickly trap and kill foreign objects invading the body.
These white blood cells don't last long in the body. Each neutrophil has a lifespan of less than a day, so your bone marrow has to constantly make new ones to protect against infection.
How to check the level of neutrophils in the blood?
The levels of neutrophils in your white blood cells can be detected through a blood differential test which includes checking the levels of each type of white blood cell. A blood differential test can also show abnormal cells in your blood.
These tests are usually done to diagnose infection, anemia, or leukemia. This test can also be used to monitor whether the treatment you are undergoing is going well.
Any infection or acute stress can increase your white blood cell count and form a condition called leukocytosis. A high white blood cell count may be caused by inflammation, an immune response, or a blood disease such as leukemia.
It is important to know that an abnormal increase in one type of white blood cell can cause a decrease in the number of another type of white blood cell.
What are the normal levels of neutrophils?
In white blood cells, about 40-60% consist of neutrophils. So, if the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the body is 8,000, the number of white blood cells on this one is estimated to be 4,000 / mcL.
Quoted from the American Cancer Society, the numbers that describe the levels of this type of white blood cell are called absolute neutrophil count (ANC).The normal number of neutrophils is in the range 2,500-6,000 / mcL.
If the amount is below or above normal levels, you may experience certain conditions. Low levels are called neutropenia, while levels above normal levels are called neutrophilia. Here's the explanation.
Neutropenia
Neutropenia is a condition when the level of neutrophils in the blood is less than 1,000 / mcL. This condition makes you more at risk of infection.
There are many factors that can cause neutropenia, such as:
- Cancer and its treatment
- Drugs
- Viral infection
- Severe bacterial infection
- Autoimmune disease
- Bone marrow disorders
- Aplastic anemia
However, low levels don't necessarily mean you have neutropenia. The level of this type of white blood cell can vary from day to day, so you will need to undergo repeated tests to confirm your condition.
Neutrophilia
Neutrophilia is a condition when neutrophils in the blood increase to more than 7,700 mcL from a total of less than 11,000 mcL of white blood cells in adults. This condition can be caused by:
- Accelerated formation of this type of white blood cell
- Accelerated release of neutrophils from the bone marrow into the blood
- Neutrophil demargination, namely the release of neutrophils along the blood vessels into the bloodstream
- Reduced passage of neutrophils from the blood to body tissues
Generally, the main cause of neutrophilia is a bacterial infection. In addition, lifestyle factors, such as excessive exercise, stress, and smoking can also increase the risk of neutrophilia.
In infants, increased levels of white blood cells can occur due to infection, treatment with corticosteroids, Down syndrome, to the late separation of the umbilical cord.
Treatment for neutrophilia will usually depend on the disease or condition that caused it. Consult with your doctor to find out the cause and treatment with more certainty.
