An ordinary person does not always understand various medical terms, numbers, formulas. For example, elevated monocytes in the blood: what does this mean? First of all, you need to find out what this term means.
What are monocytes?
Monocytes are certain cells of the immune system. They are also called tissue macrophages and phagocytic mononuclear cells. Monocytes are a type of leukocytes and perform protective functions in the body: they prevent various infectious diseases, dissolve blood clots, and eliminate dead tissues. These cells are formed and mature in the bone marrow. Then they are transported into the bloodstream and circulate in the blood for 36-100 hours. After that, monocytes pass into the tissues of the body and are transformed into tissue macrophages, the main function of which is the destruction of pathogenic bacteria and dead tissues. In addition, these cells affect the regulation of hematopoiesis. With their help, substances are synthesized that protect the immune system: interferon, interleukins.
If elevated monocytes in the blood are diagnosed, then a person has monocytosis. It can be relative or absolute. Such a stateindicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Monocytes in the blood are increased: causes
8% of monocytes from the total number of leukocytes is the norm for a he althy person. If the level of these cells exceeds 8%, then this indicates relative monocytosis. At the same time, the absolute number of monocytes in the blood does not go beyond the normal range, but the level of other types of leukocytes may decrease. Absolute monocytosis appears with an increase in the total number of monocytes above 0.7109 / l. A blood test will help determine these indicators. Monocytes may be elevated due to the following reasons:
- various diseases of the circulatory system;
- rickettsial, viral, protozoal, fungal infections;
- ulcerative colitis;
- enteritis;
- leukemia;
- syphilis;
- tuberculosis;
- brucellosis;
- polyarteritis nodosa;
- lupus erythematosus;
- arthritis.
Why can monocytes be lowered?
If the number of monocytes in the blood is less than 1% of the total leukocyte count, then this condition is called monocytopenia.
The most common causes of this phenomenon are:
- aplastic anemia;
- typhoid;
- exhaustion of the body;
- postpartum women;
- bone damagebrain;
- purulent processes;
- shock;
-
taking certain medicines.
blood test monocytes are elevated
Elevated blood monocytes: what to do?
If the level of these cells is slightly increased, then the body is able to cope with the problem on its own. If high levels of monocytes are detected, medical care is indispensable and treatment of the underlying disease is necessary. This will require careful diagnosis, various medications and a long period of time. However, a 100% cure is not always possible. For example, with leukemia, complete recovery can be achieved in very rare cases. Nevertheless, the disease cannot be ignored, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician.
Elevated monocytes in the blood is very serious. Ignoring monocytosis can be very dangerous to he alth.
