What is a WBC blood test and the norms of key indicators

• Formerly called clinical (CBC) now - a general blood test - the fastest and most informative testing; a quick and informative screening that reflects the state of health;
• The analysis examines the number of blood components, their ratio and the general specificity of the elements - hemoglobin, red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets;
• The abbreviation for leukocytes in the results is WBC (White Blood Cells, white blood cells - translation from English);
• The role of leukocytes is immunity, resistance to pathogens, disposal of tissue destruction residues (phagocytosis).

WBC blood test – immunity and leukocytes

A general blood test may contain up to 25 parameters for assessing its quality and composition. It is white blood cells (cells) that receive more attention, and to obtain a detailed informative picture of leukocytes, about 20 blood test indices are used: these are the relative and absolute content of subpopulations of white blood cells. These include basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophages of the mononuclear system.

Leukocytes are the main markers of any inflammatory process, the body’s immune response to internal and external interference: tumor, allergen, infection. The task of white blood cells is to neutralize pathogens, foreign components and their own cells that have exhausted their resources.

To diagnose acute systemic diseases and inflammation, a detailed study is prescribed: leukocytogram, leukocyte formula. The need for such blood tests arises, for example, in case of anemia (anemia), tumors, poisoning, during the diagnosis and treatment of pathological processes of a bacterial or viral nature, etc.

To monitor health status, among other indicators in the list of UAC tests, a shortened study is sufficient: the content of individual formed elements in the blood and their morphology. Basic information about the absence of an increased load on the immune system is provided by calculating the mass of white blood cells, this is determined by the calculation of WBC - White Blood Cells.

Regardless of whether the WBC value is decreased or increased in the general analysis, any deviation indicates a reaction of the immune system, and it occurs against the background of any disease or pathological process.

Low and high white blood cell count

White blood cells are the first line of defense in the body. An increase in the level of WBC in the blood indicates atypical activity of the immune system and the need to look for the cause that caused the mobilization of protective forces. A low WBC threshold is evidence that the body’s immune capabilities are running out.

The weight and ratio of WBC varieties in the blood fluctuates not only due to diseases or injuries of a different nature. Any changes in the total volume of white blood cells, an increase or decrease in the indicator, are also influenced by temporary conditions:

• Bleeding – including during the monthly cycle in women;
• Poisoning – food, medicine, alcohol, toxic substances;
• Injuries – burns, cuts, dislocations, fractures, etc.;
• Various procedures - therapeutic, surgical, hardware cosmetology;
• High physical activity or a sharp increase in its level;
• Stress – an imbalance in the mental and/or emotional state, including destructive long-term experiences (distress);
• Lack of vitamins, especially B12 (cobalamins) and B9 (folic acid), micronutrient deficiency.

Red blood cells

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, ensure the delivery of oxygen to all cells of the body. In English-language literature, red blood cells are called “red blood cells,” which is where the international abbreviation RBC .

To transport oxygen, these cells contain hemoglobin, which can combine with it through chemical reactions. The analyzer displays the following indicators regarding these processes:

• RBC is the number of red blood cells per liter of blood. An increase in this indicator in humans can be observed with various neoplasms, hormonal disorders, but much more often it is the result of blood thickening due to dehydration, burns, taking diuretics and some other reasons. A decrease in RBC is observed with blood loss, anemia, disorders of their formation or increased destruction. A slight decrease in the number of red blood cells during pregnancy is normal.
• HGB - total hemoglobin content. The indicator grows following an increase in RBC and decreases for the same reasons. A decrease in HGB is also observed during hemodilution—blood dilution, for example, against the background of intensive intravenous administration of a large volume of solutions. Hemoglobin levels in women are usually lower than in men due to physiological blood loss during menstruation.
• HCT - hematocrit. This is a value that reflects the ratio of all blood cells to its liquid part - plasma. Since 99% of these cells are red blood cells, the indicator is used to estimate their volume.

Red blood cell indices

In addition, the so-called erythrocyte indices are assessed:

1. MCV - average erythrocyte volume. Before the introduction of new analyzers, an accurate assessment was not carried out, and the result was designated as microcytosis, normocytosis or macrocytosis - depending on the size of the cells. An increased level of MCV may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, hemolytic anemia, a decreased level may indicate iron deficiency and sideroblastic anemia.
2. MCH is the concentration of hemoglobin in one red blood cell. In older analyzers, for this purpose, the color indicator was assessed, which is 0.03 of the MCH.
3. MCHC is the average hemoglobin concentration in the erythrocyte mass, which reflects the degree of saturation of RBC with hemoglobin. It is the most stable indicator and can serve as an indicator of a correctly performed analysis.

All of the above indicators are closely related to each other and are assessed as a whole. For example, bleeding is accompanied by the loss of a large number of red blood cells. Accordingly, the total hemoglobin content also decreases, but MCH may remain normal. With a disease such as iron deficiency anemia, a slight deficiency of red blood cells occurs with a decrease in hemoglobin and various changes in erythrocyte indices. It makes no sense to list all possible changes in the body related to the content of red blood cells, and the doctor deciphers the result based on knowledge of those processes in the body in various diseases.

A separate indicator associated with red blood cells is their sedimentation rate - ESR (in modern analyzers - ESR) . This is a completely non-specific indicator, an increase in which indicates some problems in the body that the doctor needs to look for. In some cases, for example during pregnancy, an increase in ESR is physiological and is considered normal.

Additional blood tests for leukocytes

If we talk about the choice of additional cellular nutrition programs - micronutrients - the data in the WBC analysis is only enough to understand whether an inflammatory process or disease is currently developing in the body. The WBC data does not influence what exactly the vitamin complex should be. However, it is the CBC that shows the level of white blood cells and helps determine the further path to study the composition and quality of blood.

The results for white blood cells can be clarified by deciphering the leukocyte formula in the composition of the UBC, also called a leukogram shift and studying the percentage of all types of WBC:

• To the left – a regenerative shift, the release of young, immature WBC into the blood. A sign of inflammation, excessive physical activity, poisoning, bleeding;
• To the left with rejuvenation - indicates the undesirable presence of cells in the blood that normally should only be found in the bone marrow. It is necessary to examine for chronic and acute diseases: leukemia, spread of metastases, myelofibrosis, etc.;
• To the right - degenerative shift, lack of production of new WBC. It is at this point in the leukocytogram that one can suspect a lack of vitamins B9 (folate deficiency anemia) B12 (anemia with a lack of red blood cells, polyneuropathy). Also – kidney disease, liver disease, reaction to blood transfusion.

Analysis for vitamins and microelements

Against the background of a low WBC level, it is recommended to add to the blood test a comprehensive study of the concentration of key micronutrients - important participants in the formation, development, and regulation of the immune system. The reason for the decrease in the level of white blood cells can most likely be vitamin deficiency or the intake of an unbalanced complex of additional cellular nutrition, especially if inflammatory processes and diseases are excluded.

This blood test is called “Basic micronutrients of immunity”, also can be referred to as Vitamins and trace elements, Immune response. It is a fairly informative addition to the OAC, clarifies the reasons for the deterioration of well-being when there are no diseases, injuries or other obvious reasons for reducing the level of leukocytes.

What indicators are included in the UAC?

The general blood test includes the following indicators: red blood cells, hemoglobin, leukocytes, color index, hematocrit, reticulocytes, platelets, ESR.

The leukocyte formula in some laboratories is signed by default, in some a doctor’s note is required. It includes the following indicators: eosinophils, basophils, band and segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes.

Below is a table of norms for a general blood test:

At some points, the standard blood test for adults differs from that for children.

For example, the norm of hemoglobin in a child is 110-145 g/l, leukocytes 5.0-12.0 109/l, the content of lymphocytes can be in the range of 26-60%. The remaining blood test parameters correspond to the reference values ​​for adults.

By order of the Ministry of Health, in the first year of life, a child’s blood is taken for general analysis 4 times, then at 1 year 6 months, and then annually, starting from two years. Such measures are necessary for the early detection of blood diseases, anemia, and infections.

What vitamins and microelements are necessary for immunity?

A complex multi-stage system protects our health at different levels: from skin integrity to humoral and cellular reactions involving lymphocytes - one of the subtypes of leukocytes. The action of micronutrients is also aimed at supporting various functions in the body. For example, vitamin A is responsible for skin condition, phagocytosis and stimulation of immunoglobulin production; group B compounds provide and maintain the activity of red (erythrocytes) and white blood cells. Each element not only has its own function, but also has a close relationship with many others.

Priority participants in the regulation of the immune system

Vitamins

-fat-soluble (accumulate) – A, E, D3, K2;

- water-soluble (do not accumulate, systematic intake is required) – C, B9, B12, B5, B6;

Micro- and macroelements

-Iron (Fe) – is part of the WBC activators, increases the saturation of tissues with macrophages (antibacterial protection);

-Zn (zinc) – stimulates phagocytosis, antimicrobial defense (including viruses);

-Cu (copper) – macrophage activator;

-Mn (manganese) – protection of the cell membrane;

-Se (selenium) – potentiates both cellular and humoral responses;

Changes in leukocyte formula

Its main components are considered to be neutrophilic band and segmented cells. The former characterize the number of immature forms of leukocytes in the blood being tested, the latter - mature, full-fledged cells. The explanation of these components of the leucoformula is given in the table.

How often should you take a leukocyte blood test?

It is recommended to monitor WBC parameters as part of a general laboratory blood test at least once a year if the state of health is satisfactory and the tests themselves do not have diagnostic value.

If we are talking about somatic diseases or in cases where caring for one’s own health is based on the principles of expediency, within the framework of evidence-based medicine, the frequency of blood tests and laboratory tests is determined by a doctor or a certified nutritionist or dietitian. It is on the study of the individual characteristics of blood and further on its composition, the body’s response to micronutrients that the bioniq system for assembling personalized vitamin complexes is built.

Eosinophilia and basophilia

An increase in the number of eosinophilic leukocytes, which are designated EOS in the WBC analysis, is when the resulting figure exceeds 5%. This is possible when:

• Allergic reactions;
• Skin diseases (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema);
• Worm infestation;
• Autoimmune processes;
• Some infections (scarlet fever);
• Eosinophilic type of leukemia.

The norm for basophil content is no more than 1%. These cells are usually not detected by WBC analysis. Their appearance may occur in some forms of myeloblastic leukemia.

Where to get tested for leukocytes

It is the CBC, abbreviated or with a leukocytogram, that can be done by any laboratory; the quality of such blood tests will not differ. The issue is a little more complicated with studies of vitamin levels, since there is no single form for such a task. In each case, the doctor prescribes a list of microelements and vitamins that are priority for study.

For example, you can donate blood specifically for the group of fat-soluble vitamins or group B. Microelements are most often studied according to the following list: iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium, zinc, copper.

The choice of tests is made on the basis of personal complaints about health or regarding a specific purpose for collecting information.

For this purpose, bioniq has developed comfortable programs for assembling personalized bioniq LIFE and bioniq BALANCE micronutrient complexes, with the ability to collect material at home or in a place convenient for you.

Monocytosis

Monocytosis is a condition in which the number of blood monocytes exceeds the standard. The norm is from 2 to 9%. This may indicate:

• Specific infections with a long course (tuberculosis, chlamydia, viral and bacterial diseases);
• Parasitic infestations;
• Monocytic type of leukemia;
• Lymphogranulomatosis and other types of lymphomas;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• Condition after removal of the spleen.

A decrease in the level of monocytes practically does not occur.

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.

Change in lymphocyte level

Lymphocyte cells, like neutrophil leukocytes, provide immune surveillance in the body. But in contrast to them, lymphocytes are responsible for both cellular and immunoglobulin immunity. Their norm is 18-40%. Explanation of possible results of WBC analysis is given in the table.

Video about the functions of different types of leukocytes, their norms in the blood:

WBC blood test is an excellent alternative to the classic study of its leukocyte composition. The main thing is to know the subtleties of correct interpretation of the results obtained.