Many factors affect the normal well-being of a person. Some of them relate to the external environment, while others affect from within. To conduct an adequate assessment of the state of the body, doctors prescribe certain studies. The study of the level of leukocytes is included in their number almost always. It is carried out in a complex manner. It should be borne in mind that the rate of leukocytes in the blood in men and women is significantly different. A special category is the study of children's indicators. It is also necessary to remember that the rate of leukocytes in the blood in men after 50 years is somewhat different than in younger representatives of the stronger sex. What is this analysis and what can it reveal?
What are white blood cells
Human blood contains several types of elements, each of which performs certain functions. Leukocytes are white blood cells, a group of heterogeneous bodies, which is distinguished by the presence of a nucleus and the absence of its own color. The main function of this type of elements is to protect the body from internal and external pathogenic factors.
All types of white cells have high motor activity and are able to penetrate through the walls of capillaries into the space between cells. There they begin to absorb and digest foreign and harmful objects. This complex process is called "phagocytosis", and the cells that carry it out are phagocytes. If too many foreign objects enter the body, these elements cannot cope with the load. They begin to greatly increase in size and, as a result, collapse. The result is swelling, redness of the affected area, increased body temperature.
Why is the rate of leukocytes in the blood of men and women different
White body levels vary from person to person. This is not always caused by some kind of disease. It is known that the rate of leukocytes in the blood of men is approximately 4.2-910^9 units per liter. Depending on a particular time of day, the impact of external factors and the physiological state of the body, the number of white blood cells can vary significantly. So, their number slightly increases in the late afternoon, after eating, and also after physical or emotional stress. It may also change depending on age.
As researched
During the analysis, venous or capillary blood is taken. To obtain reliable information about the state of the bodyan older person, a laboratory employee takes as a basis such an indicator as the rate of leukocytes in the blood in men after 50 years. He compares it with the number of white bodies in the test material. Donate blood properly. This must be done strictly on an empty stomach. From the time of the last meal, at least eight, and preferably ten hours should pass. Before taking the test, refrain from physical exertion and nervous and emotional overstrain. Try not to take contrast water treatments. Banal stress can greatly distort the results of the analysis. You need to remember this before you get tested.
When analysis is scheduled
This study is usually prescribed for a comprehensive study of the state of the body. A sharp increase in the level of leukocytes can also cause concern about the development of any inflammatory process. A significant excess of the established norm can make you think about malignant diseases of the bone marrow.
Decrease in the number of leukocytes is much less common. Most often, this indicates the presence of some kind of viral process, but it can also be a reason to think about a more serious illness (for example, AIDS or aplastic anemia). The use of certain types of drugs (particularly cytotoxic drugs) or radiation therapy also affects the level of blood cells. This must be taken into account when studying the results of the analysis.
Norm of white blood cells in children
1. Newborns (1-3 days) - 7-3210^9units per liter.
2. Age up to 1 year - 6-17, 510^9 units per liter.
3. Age from one to two years - 6-1710^9 units per liter.
4. Ages 2 to 6 years - 5-15.510^9 units per liter.5. Ages 6-16 - 4.5-13.510^9 units per litre.
Women's white blood cell count
This figure cannot be constant. So, for example, the rate of leukocytes in the blood in men after 40 years and in women of the same age is different. This indicator is also affected by pregnancy, the phases of the menstrual cycle, etc. The female body is designed to bear and give birth to a he althy child. Therefore, his protective functions are higher than those of men. The norm of leukocytes in a woman is on average 4-910 ^ 9 units. per litre. This indicator may vary depending on the state of the body. However, it is necessary to distinguish pathological deviations from natural ones. The latter can be caused by swimming in hot or too cold water, playing sports, premenstrual syndrome or stress. That is why you need to remember the right approach to taking tests.
The norm of leukocytes in the blood of men
The level of white cells in the human body is not constant and not the same. It is slightly lower in men than in women. A lot also depends on age. The rate of leukocytes in the blood of men aged 30 is 4.2-910^9 units per liter. The indicator remains static for quite a long time. The same rate of leukocytes in the blood of men aged 40. But over time, this level changes. In the elderlyhe is different. The norm of leukocytes in the blood of men after 60 years is already 3.9-8.510^9 units per liter. This factor must be taken into account when studying the results of the analyzes.
Leukocyte formula
There are standards developed by medical laboratories. They take into account a variety of factors. The level of leukocytes in the blood can be affected by age, gender, he alth status, as well as stress or overeating. With this in mind, leukocyte formulas have been developed that allow you to determine the level of deviation of research results from the norm.
Leukocytosis
True leukocytosis implies the destruction of the bone marrow and the release of white bodies from it. There is another option - this is redistributive leukocytosis. With it, an increase in the level of leukocytes is associated with the circulation of those cells that are usually attached to one permanent place in the body. The change in the number of white cells during the day is explained precisely by redistribution. Usually, the level of leukocytes rises slightly in the evening, after eating, and drops again in the morning. In pathological cases, a significant excess of the norm of white blood cells can indicate inflammatory processes, as well as the presence of an infection. In the most severe situations, this indicates the course of leukemia. This is a very serious disease, the consequences of which are unpredictable.
Leukopenia
The situation when the level of white blood cells is low is much less common. It is usually caused by the following factors:
1. Consequences of radiation in the form of radiation sickness.
2. Anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.
3. Infectious diseases.
4. Oncological manifestations with metastases in the bone marrow.
5. The initial stage of leukemia.6. Use of certain medications.
It is necessary to consider each case of a decrease in the level of leukocytes strictly individually. After all, this can be a consequence of not only the disease, but also the physiological feature of the body. It should be borne in mind that the rate of leukocytes in the blood in men of 50 years is less than that of 16-year-old guys. Of course, the differences are small, but they exist. Therefore, do not make hasty conclusions and panic. The doctor, having suspected something was wrong, will definitely prescribe a detailed study, which will make it possible to draw up an objective picture and, if necessary, conduct an adequate course of treatment.
Types of white blood cells
The following types of leukocytes are distinguished:
- lymphocytes;
- monocytes;
- neutrophils;
- basophils;- eosinophils.
Each of them has its own unique features. Knowing the level of their content in the body, we can draw certain conclusions. So, if the norm of leukocytes in the blood of men is observed, then we can say that the body copes with the protective functions perfectly well. Lymphocytes are endowed with an amazing and absolutely unique ability to remember the characteristics of body cells and distinguish between foreign objects. In addition, theyimmune memory is characteristic, that is, they store information about all the microbes they have ever encountered. When a foreign object enters the body, lymphocytes meet it very first. They are the primary link in the human immune system.
Neutrophils
These are the largest leukocyte cells, accounting for up to 98 percent of their total mass. They are able to quickly move to the focus of inflammation. If a bacterial or fungal infection occurs, neutrophils enter the affected tissues through the capillaries and try to cope with the pathogen on their own. They do this by absorbing and dissolving diseased cells, after which they die and disintegrate.
Eosinophils
These cells also actively move to the affected areas and destroy harmful objects. In addition, they play an important antihistamine and antiallergic role. May bind allergens, blocking their effects.
Monocytes
These cells carry out phagocytosis of larger elements, for example, damaged tissues. After that, monocytes do not die, but cleanse the affected area and prepare it for recovery.
Basophiles
This is the smallest type of leukocyte. Basophils make up only 1 percent of their total number. This is a real "ambulance" for intoxication, as well as for dangerous bites of poisonous insects. Due to the presence of substances such as serotonin, histamine, prostaglandin in basophils, they block poisons entering the tissues and prevent them from spreading throughout the body.
History
P. Ehrlich and I. Mechnikov made a very significant contribution to the study of leukocytes and their effect on the protective functions of the body. The latter discovered the presence of such a process as phagocytosis. Based on this research, he made a number of discoveries. So, Mechnikov became the founder of the phagocytic theory of immunity. In 1908, both scientists for their services to mankind were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize.
In conclusion
All kinds of white blood cells are very important. If the level of at least one of them is lowered or increased, the immune system will suffer from this in the first place. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to undergo a blood test annually. This will help to see the problems in a timely manner and fix them.
If a doctor, after prescribing a general analysis for, say, a 70-year-old patient, sees that the norm of leukocytes in the blood of 60-year-old men is not observed, he will prescribe a more detailed study describing the level of each type of blood cell. Stay he althy!
