To diagnose diseases and during preventive examinations, doctors prescribe a general clinical blood test. An important indicator of this test is the concentration of white blood cells (white blood cells). Their increase may indicate inflammatory processes in the body. What does the white blood cell count of 8.8 x 10 9 / l? Can such analysis data indicate any pathologies? We will consider these issues in the article.
What it is
White blood cells are called white blood cells. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system and to protect the body from foreign agents. White blood cells produce special antibodies (immunoglobulins) that fight pathogens, allergens, parasites, and also tumor cells.
There are several types of white blood cells:
- neutrophils;
- lymphocytes;
- basophils;
- monocytes;
- eosinophils.
Each type of white cell is responsible for a specific link in the immune response. A clinical blood test determines the total number of white blood cells. It is measured in billions (10 9 ) per 1 liter of biomaterial. To identify the number of different types of white cells, a blood test is carried out with the determination of the leukocyte formula.
An increase in white blood cell counts is called leukocytosis, and a decrease is called leukopenia.
Normal performance
For adults, the concentration of white cells from 4 to 8.8 x 10 9 per 1 liter of blood is considered the norm. Reference values are independent of patient gender. They are the same for men and women.
In children, higher leukocyte counts are allowed. Age standards for white blood cell levels are shown in the table below:
| Age of the child (in years) | White blood cell counts (at 10 9 / L) |
| 0 - 1 | 6 - 18 |
| 12 | 6 -17 |
| 2 - 4 | 5.4 - 15.7 |
| 4 - 6 | 4.9 - 14.6 |
| 6 - 10 | 4.3 - 14 |
| 10 - 16 | 4,5 - 13,5 |
| 16 - 18 | 4 - 11 |
In adults
If the white blood cell count is 8 x 10 9 / l, then this indicates that the concentration of white blood cells is at the upper limit of normal. Such data do not always indicate pathology. After all, leukocytosis is considered to be an increase in white blood cells over 9 x 10 9 / l.
If a patient has a leukocyte level of 8.8 x 10 9 / l, then this, as a rule, is alarming to the doctor. The concentration of white blood cells still does not exceed the permissible values, but is still prone to increase. In such cases, it is recommended to retake the analysis two more times with an interval of 5-7 days. After all, white blood cell counts may increase for random reasons. The following factors can provoke their increase:
- physical and emotional stress;
- premenstrual period;
- excessive exposure to the sun;
- hormone intake;
- acclimatization;
- weather sensitivity.
Incorrect preparation for the test, for example, eating fatty foods on the eve of the study, can also affect the results. It is important to remember that a clinical blood test must be taken strictly on an empty stomach.
If the patient has a leukocyte level of 8.8 x 10 9 / L during repeated analyzes, then doctors prescribe additional studies. It is recommended to do an extended blood test with the definition of a leukocyte formula. This test helps identify which type of white blood cell is elevated.
If a person’s white blood cell count is constantly at the upper limit of acceptable values, then this cannot be considered the norm. Such data may indicate latent inflammatory processes in the body.
During pregnancy
During the bearing of the fetus in women, white blood cell counts always increase. Indeed, during this period, the immune system provides protection not only to the mother, but also to the unborn child. Therefore, during pregnancy, a higher concentration of leukocytes in the blood test is allowed:
- 1 trimester: up to 10.5 x 10 9 / l.
- 2 trimester: up to 12-13 x 10 9 / l.
- 3 trimester: up to 14-15 x 10 / l.
Thus, during pregnancy, white blood cells 8 x 10 9 / l are not a sign of pathology. These are normal indicators for a woman during gestation.
In children
As already mentioned, in children the concentration of white blood cells is usually higher than in adults. Therefore, the white blood cell count in a child of 8 x 10 9 / l is the absolute norm. Such data do not even approach the upper boundary of the reference values.
As the baby grows up, the level of white blood cells gradually decreases. However, if in the blood test in a child of 8 years, the leukocytes are 8 x 10 9 / l, then this falls within the normal range. Acceptable values at this age are indicators up to 14 x 10 9 / l.
Reasons for the increase
There are times when an adult patient has a white blood cell count of 8.8 x 10 9 / L. Why do white blood cells stay at the upper limit of normal? The cause of this may be the following pathologies and conditions:
- infectious diseases;
- allergic reactions;
- malignant tumors;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- blood loss;
- autoimmune diseases;
- poisoning;
- helminthic infestations;
- myocardial infarction;
- renal failure;
- splenectomy.
Typically, white blood cells are constantly kept at the limit of the upper permissible limit, either at the initial stage of pathology, or in chronic diseases that occur in an erased form.
Other types of tests
Determining the concentration of leukocytes is of great diagnostic value. Their level is a marker of the inflammatory process. If white blood cells constantly adhere to the upper limit of the norm in a patient’s blood test, the doctor may prescribe additional tests:
- general urine analysis;
- taking a smear from the alleged focus of inflammation.
Further we will consider these studies in more detail.
In urine in adults
If a foreign agent enters the body, then the white blood cells rush to the lesion. They try to neutralize bacteria, viruses or fungi, as well as tumor cells. After completing their work, white blood cells are removed from the body through the kidneys.
Therefore, the determination of the level of leukocytes in the urine is of great importance for diagnosis. Usually, a general urine test is prescribed along with a blood test. It helps confirm or refute leukocytosis.
During the study, the number of cells in the field of view of the microscope is counted. Normally, only single leukocytes in urine can be present. The reference values of this analysis are as follows:
- for women - 0-6 cells;
- for men - 0-3 cells.
If a person has 8-10 leukocytes in the urine, then such results exceed the norm. In this case, doctors talk about moderate leukocyturia. This can be triggered by random reasons, for example, insufficiently thorough washing of the genitals before analysis, taking certain medications or dehydration. Therefore, if a small leukocyturia is detected, it is recommended to retake the test.
If leukocyturia is determined repeatedly, then this may be due to the following pathologies:
- cystitis;
- urethritis;
- pyelonephritis;
- urolithiasis;
- tumors of the kidneys;
- glomerulonephritis;
- renal tuberculosis;
- inflammatory gynecological diseases;
- prostate adenoma;
- prostatitis
- balanoposthitis;
- appendicitis
- allergic reactions;
- nephron damage in autoimmune diseases;
- intoxication with infectious pathologies.
Usually a small leukocyturia is noted in the early stages of the above pathologies. In these cases, doctors prescribe an additional urine test using the Addis-Kakovsky method or a Nechiporenko test. If elevated white blood cells are still noted in the test results, then urine is tested for bacterial inoculation.
In urine in children
Is it normal if 8 white blood cells in a baby’s urine are detected? It depends on the age and gender of the small patient:
- Under the age of 12 months, 8–9 cells are considered the norm for girls, and for boys, 5–6 white blood cells in the field of vision.
- At the age from 1 year to 18 years, for girls, 0-6 cells are allowed, and for boys from 0 to 4 white blood cells.
Thus, 8 leukocytes in the field of vision do not indicate pathology only in girls up to one year of age. In all other cases, this indicator slightly exceeds the permissible norm. The causes of leukocyturia in children are the same as in adult patients.
In strokes
If you suspect a female genital disease, gynecologists prescribe a smear on the microflora. For the study, mucus is taken from the wall of the vagina or from the cervix. In the biomaterial, the presence of pathogens and the number of leukocytes in the field of vision are determined. In inflammatory processes, the number of white blood cells in the mucus increases.
If the biomaterial was taken from the vaginal wall, then the norm is indicators from 0 to 15 cells. With a smear from the cervix, values from 0 to 30 white blood cells are allowed.
Can white blood cells make up a smear of 8.8? The number of cells is always expressed only in integers, and not in fractional numbers. It can be either 8 or 9. Such data are within the normal range. However, it is very important to pay attention to the presence of bacteria in the biomaterial.
If cystitis and urethritis are suspected, a smear is taken from the urethra. Such a study is carried out for both men and women. The norm for this assay is 0-5 cells. If 8 leukocytes are found in a smear from the urethra, then such indicators exceed the permissible values. This may be a sign of inflammation in the urethra or bladder.
Treatment
What to do with a white blood cell count of 8.8 x 10 9 / l? As already mentioned, in such cases, you need to take a blood test again. If the level of white cells is constantly kept at the upper limit of the norm, then it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment of the underlying disease.
There are no special ways to reduce white blood cell count. Their increase is only a reaction of the immune system to the appearance of an infection, allergens, or tumor cells in the body. The level of white blood cells can normalize only after eliminating the cause of leukocytosis.