What to do if monocytes are elevated? Causes and consequences

Monocytes are one of the types of white blood cells. Their functionality is of great importance for ensuring and maintaining the health of the human body.

They perform such important functions as antitumor, antiviral and others. However, often after taking blood tests you can hear from the doctor that the level of monocytes is increased. Unfortunately, few people know what this statement means and how to correct the situation.

And, most importantly, does such a phenomenon pose any danger in the body.

Basic functions of monocytes

Increased level of monocytes in the blood

Monocytes are single-celled mature leukocytes, formed in the bone marrow, their life expectancy does not exceed three days. In the bloodstream they reach their most active state. Here they grow, function, and after about 70 hours they degenerate into macrophages, after which they penetrate into nearby tissues.

Protective and cleansing – this is their main function. Moving along the blood stream, they find foreign bodies such as cancer cells, infections, viruses, parasites and try to destroy them. To do this, the cell gets close to the detected problem, envelops it with its body, neutralizes it and removes it from the body. In the same way, monocytes destroy bacteria, dead cells and other substances that pollute the human body.

Macrophages act on the same principle, but they take longer to destroy harmful cells.

Monocytes also take part in the synthesis of interferon, which makes cells immune to the virus, thereby enhancing the body’s protective functions.

Thus, an increase in the content of monocytes means that there is a disease that the body is fighting hard against by increasing protective cells.

What are monocytes?

A monocyte is a representative of white blood cells. If translated from ancient Greek, then μονος is one, and κύτος is a cell. This is a fairly large cell, which has a large nucleus, slightly eccentrically displaced, and in our body it performs very important functions. To perform its tasks, the so-called janitors or orderlies, it is equipped with special devices.

This cell can have amoeboid movement, it can move independently, like an amoeba, in the liquid part of the blood, and it can have transnasal movement. those. leave its stay in the bloodstream through the thin wall of the blood vessel and, accordingly, rush into certain tissues. Performing its function as an orderly, it has such a powerful property as chemotaxis (the motor reaction of microorganisms to a chemical irritant) and can rush precisely to the sites of inflammation. There, where there are many destroyed cells, where there may be dead bacteria, viruses, dead cells of the body.

Let’s say there is a flu-like condition, and during this period there is a lot of destruction of the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx or oropharynx. And monocytes, during the flu period, will rush there and try to utilize dead cells. By enveloping fairly large pieces of destroyed bacterial cells and digesting them, they will prepare the tissue for reparative processes (recovery processes). They must clean out the field, and in this field, after eliminating the source of inflammation, young, healthy cells will then grow.

How is the level of monocytes in the blood determined?

In order to determine the number of monocytes contained in the blood, it is enough to take a general blood test. Monocytes are a type of leukocyte, calculated by a laboratory assistant using a special leukocyte formula. There are two indicators of monocytes:

1. Absolute quantity

   – designated as “monocytes abs” or “monocytes mono”, the average number of cells per 1 μl (microliter) is taken into account.

2. Relative quantity

   – designated as “value” ppm/l, calculated as a percentage

What level of monocytes is considered high?

Monocytes K. R. Karlmark, F. Tacke, and I. R. Dunay.
Monocytes in health and disease – Minireview / European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology are one of the types of white blood cells. That is, white blood cells, thanks to which the immune system protects the body from various infections and cellular damage. If you look at the results of a complete blood count (CBC) of a healthy person, the monocytes in it will be Blood differential test / School of Medicine at Mount Sinai 2-8% of the total number of leukocytes.

The normal monocyte count is 2–8%. Illustration: Lifehacker

A condition when the monocyte count rises above Monocyte Count / ScienceDirect 10%, or, in absolute terms, more than 1,000 Abhishek A. Mangaonkar, Aaron J. Tande, and Delamo I. Bekele. Differential Diagnosis and Workup of Monocytosis: A Systematic Approach to a Common Hematologic Finding / Current Hematologic Malignancy Reports cells per microliter of blood (1 × 10 9 / L), doctors call monocytosis Monocyte Disorders / MSD Manuals.

When is it necessary to see a doctor and take an OAC test?

There are no specific signs indicating that monocytes are elevated. But at the same time, monocytosis is accompanied by other diseases, the symptoms of which can indirectly suggest changes in the number of leukocytes.

You should consult a doctor and get tested if:

• Decreased or complete loss of appetite.
• Increased fatigue and causeless weakness.
• Aversion to meat dishes.
• Sudden weight loss.
• Insomnia and drowsiness.
• Irritation, apathy, nervous breakdowns.
• Increased psycho-emotional excitability.
• Loud motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Constant feeling of anxiety.
• Unexplained pain in the abdomen.
• Panic attacks.
• The appearance of foamy stools.
• Stool disorders.
• The appearance of pain in joints and muscles.
• Bloody impurities in the stool.
• The appearance of acne on the mucous membranes.
• Skin rashes.
• The presence of a long dry cough with bloody sputum.
• Rashes and redness on the genitals, as well as in case of heavy discharge from the genital tract.
• Discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse.

Main functions of monocytes

In terms of morphology, these are relatively large cells, their diameter reaches 20 microns.
The cytoplasm does not contain granules, but a large number of lysosomes are found in it. The large nucleus is located closer to one of the cell walls. It is not segmented and has a bean-shaped shape. This allows monocytes to be easily differentiated from lymphocytes by microscopic examination. Despite the small number of monocytes in the blood of a healthy person, it is difficult to overestimate their importance. They circulate in the systemic circulation for no more than 2 days, and then diffuse through the wall of blood vessels into the intercellular space. They begin to function as full-fledged macrophages, destroying pathogens. In addition, they help cleanse the bloodstream of dead, tumor and mutant cells.

Therefore, an increased content of monocytes is a sign indicating the development of a pathological process. Knowing the exact cause allows you to choose the optimal treatment.

Read further: What are monocytes in a blood test and their norm in women and men by age

Deviations and normal values

In the period from birth to the age of 16 years, the norms of monocytes in the blood change. Absolute values ​​generally decrease, in contrast to relative values, which up to 16 years of age can either decrease or increase.

Absolute indicators from birth to 16 years should decrease, initially ranging from 1.9-2.4 million/l, ultimately decreasing to 0.004-0.08 million/l

A reduced level of monocytes in the blood is called monocytopenia, an increased level is called monocytosis.

The focus of inflammation and an increased level of monocytes in the transcript will be designated as mono. Absolute monocytosis is an increase in the absolute number of monocytes.

The percentage change in monocytes relative to the total number of leukocytes is called relative monocytosis. From time to time, this indicator may increase as a percentage for various reasons, for example, a very hearty breakfast. That is why minor deviations from the norm have no diagnostic value.

But an increase in white cells in the range of 13-17% may indicate a focus of inflammation, and an indicator of 18-24% indicates a serious infectious-inflammatory process.

Causes of increased monocytes

Absolute monocytosis can develop in an adult in the following cases:

• For chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colic, inflammation of the small intestine.
• Severe chronic diseases: rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, lupus erythematosus.
• Poisoning with substances containing: phosphorus, chlorine or their compounds.
• Infections with infectious diseases: brucellosis, syphilis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, chickenpox, dysentery, rubella, influenza, whooping cough.
• Rheumatological diseases.
• Rheumatism, endocarditis.
• Blood diseases: chronic myeloid leukemia, osteomyelofibrosis, polycythemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, acute leukemia.
• The development of sepsis or the presence of purulent foci.
• Penetration of parasites and viruses into the body.
• Injury
• Malignant neoplasms of the lymphatic system: lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Development of fungal diseases.

Also, an excess of the norm of monocytes is observed in patients during the postoperative period and during the recovery period after infectious diseases. Lack of sleep, stress, a rich meal before taking the test, and excessive physical activity can cause an increase in monocytes. Therefore, it is necessary to take this data into account when taking the OAC.

In men

There are no specific reasons for increasing the level of monocytes in men. Men who often experience stress, work a lot, and work is closely related to mental stress and excessive nerves can suffer from monocytosis.

Among women

Elevated monocytes in a woman’s body indicate the presence of infectious diseases, as well as various inflammatory processes. The norms of leukocyte deviation do not depend on gender, however, in women, unlike men, monocytes can increase due to the characteristics of the reproductive system: during menstruation or ovulation, this is associated with a hormonal surge.

In pregnant women

During pregnancy and lactation, the level of leukocytes is especially important for a woman’s body. This is due to the fact that now the protective function must be performed not only for the matter, but also for the fetus inside it, and after the baby is born, they help the woman regain strength faster. During pregnancy, a restructuring of the immune and endocrine systems occurs in a woman’s body, and hormonal levels often change, so the ratio of all types of leukocytes changes.

The level of lower monocytes in the first trimester of pregnancy drops to 1%. But after just a few weeks it increases again to 3%, this figure remains until the last trimester, in which, due to changes in hormonal levels in connection with the body’s preparation for childbirth, the level of monocytes may increase. Immediately after childbirth, the level drops, but later rises again, which means that the body has begun to recover after childbirth.

In children

The normal levels of monocytes in the blood of children are higher than those of adults; the highest levels are observed in newborns. However, there is nothing to worry about if the age norms are not exceeded or the deviation level is not higher than 10%. An increase in this indicator may indicate the presence of infectious or viral diseases or infection with helminths. Often the reason for an increase in leukocyte levels can be the replacement of baby teeth with molars, this is associated with the formation of new tissues.

Also, an increase in monocytes may be associated with hereditary factors, the postoperative period and the presence of more severe diseases, for example, leukemia. It is worth noting that children often experience a low level of leukocytes (monocytopenia) than monocytosis; this is more dangerous and may indicate exhaustion of the body and weak resistance to harmful factors.

Causes of monocytosis in children

If, after a thorough blood test, it turns out that the child’s monocytes are higher than normal, you need to sound the alarm. There are many reasons for this disorder.

The most common, as in cases with adults, is the onset of the development of an infectious disease. As a rule, this is not difficult to understand, since the baby begins to have a runny nose, cough, or some other manifestation.

However, cases in which monocytes increase, on the contrary, during the recovery period after suffering a serious illness are not uncommon. In such situations, this phenomenon is considered the norm and only indicates that the body is working.

Monocytes often increase after surgery. If none of the above applies to the baby, then most likely there are blood diseases.

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Why is an increase in monocytes dangerous?

An increase in monocytes in the body in most cases indicates the presence of pathology. When an infectious disease appears, the body begins a stubborn fight against it by additionally producing white cells to actively fight the disease. It seems that the more monocytes, the better, because this way you can quickly cope with the disease. In fact, there is a downside, since an excessive amount of them can itself provoke inflammation.

Large accumulations of white bodies in the vessels can:

• Disrupt blood flow.
• Strengthen atherosclerosis.
• Reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Cause damage to the vessel wall.