What are leukocytes and how to interpret them?

The leukocytes are a set of cells found in the blood, lymphatic system and tissuess. In turn, they are made up of 5 different cell types, each of them with specific functions. The main function of leukocytes is to body defense against external aggressions, such as infection, inflammation, an allergic reaction, an autoimmune process.

Leukocyte types and their normal values

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are cells that regulate immune response of the organism. Its normal value is between 1,000 and 4,000 lymphocytes in one microliter. Values ​​below 1,000 lymphocytes are lymphopenia. Within the lymphocytes We also find three subtypes:

• B lymphocytes (antibody or immunoglobulin producing)
• T lymphocytes
• NK cells (natural killer)

Some Causes would be autoimmune disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), infections (HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis or flu), bone marrow injury (chemotherapy, radiation), immunodeficiency ...

Monocytes

Monocytes are macrophages responsible for remove dead or damaged tissues and the destruction of tumor cells. Its normal value is between 150 and 900 monocytes in a microliter. Values ​​below 150 are monocytopenia. Some causes would be spinal cord injuries, hairy cell leukemia, skin infections ... As a curiosity we will mention a very little disease frequent consisting of the complete absence of monocytes due to a genetic defect in the bone marrow, the syndrome monoMAC. Affected people are very easy to suffer skin infections by agents that would not affect the general population.

Neutrophils (granulocytes)

Neutrophils are among the first cells to go straight to infection. They have the ability to engulf microorganisms and secrete destructive substances in front of them. Its normal value is between 2,000 and 8,000 neutrophils in one microliter. Values ​​below 2,000 are neutropenia and below 1,000 it is considered severe neutropenia and implies a risk of serious infection. Some Causes would be myelodysplastic syndromes, infections, reactions to drugs (penicillin, ibuprofen ...), autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy or advanced medullary cancer.

Basophils (granulocytes)

Basophils also have destructive "cleaning" function and they participate in allergic reactions by releasing histamine. Its normal value is between 10 and 150 basophils in one microliter. Values ​​below 10 are basopenia. Some Causes they would be a thyrotoxicosis, acute hypersensitivity reactions and infections.

Eosinophils (granulocytes)

Eosinophils react to allergic reactions, asthma and parasitic infection. Its normal value is between 50 and 500 eosinophils in one microliter. Values ​​below 50 are eosinopenia. Some Causes would be Cushing's syndrome, severe infections and a corticosteroid treatment.

Of these 5 cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are called granulocytes for having some active granules inside.

How to interpret the white blood cell count?

Your count can be done through the blood or other body fluids such as urine and cerebrospinal fluid. When interpreting the values ​​or the leukocyte count in the body, we must take into account that the normal range of leukocytes is located at:

• Adults Come in 4,500 and 11,000 units per cubic millimeter of blood. Family Medicine Specialist