There is hardly a person who has not taken a blood test at least once in his life. Everyone is painfully familiar with this process, but only a narrow circle of people know how to correctly interpret the results of the analysis. Deciphering white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit may seem like a daunting task, but it's not hard at all.
One of the most important indicators in a blood test is the number of leukocytes - proteins that protect the human body. These white blood cells influence the functioning of the immune system and control of their number is directly related to the tendency to fight this or that infection. That is why the values of leukocytes in a blood test must be known to everyone. Let's consider this indicator in more detail.
General information about leukocytes
Leukocytes (white blood cells, or white blood cells (WBC)) are a group of cells in the human body that are produced in the lymph nodes and bone marrow. Their main function is to fight tissue damage and infections. For example, with the help of specialenzymes, some forms of leukocytes can bind and accumulate pathogenic microorganisms and their metabolic products, while others can produce antibodies that destroy foreign cells. The generally accepted designation of leukocytes in a blood test is WBC.
Deviation from the norm
The value of leukocytes in the blood is an indicator of the functioning of the immune system. Normally, in a he althy person, the amount of WBC in a blood test, regardless of age, should be within 4-9x109.
An increase in the total number of leukocytes is called leukocytosis. It is worth noting that there are physiological and pathological leukocytosis. And if the causes of the first can be ordinary stress, smoking, physical activity, eating junk food, as well as pregnancy and childbirth, then the second occurs against the background of the course of infectious diseases (for example, sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis).
If the number of WBC, on the contrary, is reduced (leukopenia), this indicates a poor state of the immune system. Leukopenia can be observed when certain viral infections occur in the human body (chickenpox, rubella, some forms of influenza), as well as while taking medications (for example, colds, analgesics).
Types of leukocytosis
Depending on the type of leukocytosis, it is necessary to interpret the results of deciphering the value of leukocytes in a blood test differently. If the increase in the level of leukocytes is not accompanied byphysiological symptoms of diseases (physiological leukocytosis), then you should not worry about the results of the analysis. In this case, the leukocyte formula will return to normal after the factor that provokes an increase in leukocytes in the blood ceases to act on the body. If, however, leukocytosis is pathological, it is worth conducting a thorough examination, as this can be a sign of quite dangerous diseases. So, for example, against the background of chronic lingering leukocytosis, leukemia (uncontrolled reproduction of leukocytes) can occur, in which white blood cells cease to perform their functions.
Leukocyte formula. Transcription
There are five forms of white blood cells in total. The designation of leukocytes in a blood test in the context of their forms is called the leukocyte formula. According to it, namely the proportional ratio of leukocytes, it is possible to determine the nature of the inflammatory process that occurs in the patient's body.
The absolute content of leukocytes (in the context of specific forms) per unit volume is usually determined by the formula: A (%)WBC (109 / l) / 100, where A (%) means the proportion of a certain form of leukocytes among the total number white blood cells as a percentage, and WBC (109 / l) - the total number of leukocytes in the blood.
Shapes of leukocytes. Neutrophils
The norm of neutrophils (for an adult) is 48-78%. This is the first and largest group of forms of leukocytes. The amount of these WBCs concentrated in tissues in a blood testranges from 50-70% of the total. They first of all fall into the foci of inflammatory processes and try to destroy harmful microorganisms. Also, neutrophils are the main defenders against toxins and microbes. In the presence of infection, the number of this form of leukocytes can increase 10 times. In this case, the leukocyte formula will be shifted to the left.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are the second form of white blood cells continuously produced in the human bone marrow, accounting for only 1 to 5 percent of all WBCs. After full maturation, this form of leukocytes leaves the bone marrow and moves through the circulatory system to tissues, mainly the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, where they begin to destroy proteins that are outside the body.
An increase in this form of WBC in a blood test (eosinophilia) occurs due to their increased formation and indicates that the body has begun to actively defend itself against foreign proteins entering the blood. As a rule, eosinophilia develops against the background of allergic diseases or ingestion of helminth larvae.
Reduction of eosinophils in the blood (eosinopenia) or their complete disappearance can be observed during the course of almost all acute infectious diseases. The appearance of this type of leukocytes after their absence in the analysis indicates the first signs of recovery.
The norm of eosinophils (for an adult) is 0.5-5%.
Basophiles
The least numerous form of leukocytes is basophils. They are playingimportant role in situations where an allergen enters the body. If the basophil recognizes it, it will begin to destroy it, releasing biologically active substances into the blood that cause clinical symptoms (allergic reactions).
Basophilia is the process of increasing these white blood cells. This is a typical reaction of the body in an allergic condition or a symptom of a disease such as chicken pox. Also, an increased level of these white blood cells is a characteristic feature of the onset of the menstrual cycle or ovulation in women.
The absence of basophils has no diagnostic value from a medical point of view, and basopenia is not taken into account when making a clinical diagnosis and deciphering the leukocyte count.
The norm of basophils for an adult is 0-1%.
Monocytes
Monocytes are the largest form of white blood cells. Their main function is to fight pathogenic and foreign organisms together with neutrophils. But since the size of monocytes is much larger, they live and destroy harmful bodies much longer than neutrophils.
Determination and designation of leukocytes in a blood test of this type is a rather important process, since an elevated level of monocytes is a direct sign of a disease such as infectious mononucleosis, and their absence is about the course of severe inflammatory, infectious diseases in the body, including damage to the bone marrow.
The norm of monocytes (for an adult) is 3-11%.
Lymphocytes
The key building blocks of the immune system are lymphocytes, another form of whiteblood cells. They are formed in the spleen, bone marrow, and then transferred directly to the blood and lymph, where they perform the function of recognizing the antigen of a foreign body with which they previously met. This unique property of lymphocytes creates what we know as immunity from previous diseases.
There are three types of lymphocytes: T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and NK-lymphocytes. The former are responsible for cellular immunity, the latter provide antibody formation or the so-called humoral immunity. NK-lymphocytes destroy their own cells if infection markers were found on their surface.
The increase in the number of this form of leukocytes is called lymphocytosis, and the decrease is called lymphopenia. When deciphering the leukocyte formula in the absence of physical signs of the disease, the deviation from the norm of lymphocytes is not dangerous. The designation of leukocytes in the blood test of this form in the context of species is quite an important step in deciphering the leukocyte formula.
The norm of lymphocytes (for an adult) is 25-40%.
It is worth noting that the norms for all forms of leukocytes are indicated for an adult. For children, depending on age, these numbers have a different meaning.
Obviously, it is not very difficult to figure out how leukocytes are indicated in the general blood test, and what the numbers opposite this indicator mean. Do not neglect this knowledge and use it to improve your he alth. But also do not engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment,since only an experienced specialist can prescribe a competent course of treatment in time and save the patient from further problems.
