Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Jurdy Dugdale, RN. Jurdy Dugdale is a Registered Nurse in Florida. She received her Nursing License from the Florida Board of Nursing in 1989.
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A high white blood cell (WBC) count could be due to a number of potential causes. Hearing that any test results are abnormal can be scary, but your doctor can help you figure out the cause. Let them know about any related symptoms and have them order further diagnostic tests. A high WBC count can be caused by a number of factors, so finding the right solution depends on the underlying cause.
Steps
Find out your specific WBC count. A count of over 11,000 WBC per microliter of blood is considered high. However, there are lots of potential causes, and slightly elevated levels are usually not a cause for concern.[1]- Counts around 30,000 can be due to physical stress, injuries, allergic reactions, infections, or medication. For example, you may have the flu.
- Counts between 50,000 and 100,000 usually indicate a serious infection, such as advanced pneumonia. In a person who has had an organ transplant, it could mean an organ rejection. Additionally, some tumors can cause high WBC counts, which could be either cancerous or benign.
- Counts above 100,000 usually mean a more serious condition that your doctor will need to diagnose. This could range from severe bronchitis to leukemia in rare cases.
- Many pregnant women have a WBC count of up to 15,000 in the third trimester and after giving birth, which may be normal.
Get another complete blood count (CBC). The first step in making an accurate diagnosis is to get another CBC. If the second test shows your WBC count has returned to normal, your doctor may determine that you are healthy. If your count is still high after several days, further testing will be necessary.- Depending on your count and symptoms, your doctor will recommend scheduling another CBC within a few days or after a couple of weeks.
- Your doctor might also order a smear test, which is when a blood sample is viewed under a microscope. A smear test can reveal if WBC are immature, abnormal, or exhibit other features that can help make an accurate diagnosis.
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Tell your doctor about any related symptoms. Symptoms like fever and coughing are obvious signs of an infection, and your doctor will order sputum cultures to identify a specific germ. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and rheumatoid arthritis can cause high WBC counts, so let your doctor know about any digestive issues or joint pain. Additionally, your doctor needs to know if you've experienced symptoms like night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and bruising or bleeding easily in order to make a definitive diagnosis.[2]- There are no symptoms of a high WBC count itself. Any symptoms you experience are due to an underlying cause and can help your doctor figure out what to do.
Michael Greger, PhysicianTo safely lower high white blood cell counts, discuss contributing factors and medications with your doctor. Incorporate an anti-inflammatory, whole food, plant-based diet. Quit smoking, lower stress, exercise moderately, lose excess weight. With a tailored, holistic regimen, counts can gently stabilize over time.
Discuss your medications and lifestyle. Corticosteroids, lithium, and other prescription drugs can increase WBC levels, so tell your doctor about any medications you take. Smoking can also cause a high WBC count.[3] Intense exercise, overexertion, and physical stress are other potential causes.- Be honest with your doctor when you discuss your lifestyle. They only want to help you, so don't worry about being judged.
Ask your doctor which type of WBC shows elevated levels. There are 5 types of WBC, and higher levels of specific types can indicate particular conditions. For instance, high levels of two types are less common, and are usually due to allergic reactions or asthma.[4]- Your doctor might refer you to a specialist or recommend an allergy test. A specialist can help you avoid allergens or prescribe an allergy medication.
Quit smoking. Among a vast number of other health benefits, quitting smoking can help bring your WBC back to a normal range. Ask your doctor for help choosing a smoking cessation plan.[5]
Work on reducing stress. If you've just gone through a short-term stressful situation, your WBC count should return to normal within hours or days. However, long-term stress can ultimately weaken your immune system, so try to lighten your load.[6]- Avoid overbooking yourself, and don't feel bad when you have to say no to something.
- When you feel stressed out, try meditating, listening to relaxing music, or breathing slowly for 20 to 30 minutes.
Do a light exercise after a hard workout. If you exercised just before your blood test, your high WBC count is probably due to your workout. A hard workout, intense sports, and other demanding forms of exercise can raise WBC levels by 200 to 300 percent. Those levels usually decrease rapidly within a few hours.[7]- There's no evidence that these changes in WBC counts are dangerous, but 15 minutes of active recovery after intense exercise can help reduce rapid shifts.
- Active recovery is a less intense exercise that helps cool you down, like a brisk walk after a fast jog.
Try losing weight. High WBC counts can be related to obesity. This is because obesity causes widespread inflammation in your body, which increases your white blood cell levels. Losing weight can help reduce the inflammation in your body, which may decrease your elevated counts. Eating a healthy diet and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily can help you lose weight.[8]
Consult your doctor about stopping or switching your medication. If you can rule out other causes and your medication is working, your doctor probably won't recommend making any changes.[9]- For some medications, finding the right type and dosage can be tricky, so an alternative with fewer side effects might not be an effective option.
- Never stop taking a prescription medication without your doctor's approval.
Treat any viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. If a culture or other test identified an infection, your doctor will likely recommend an antiviral or antibiotic medication. Take any medication according to their instructions. Schedule a follow-up appointment if you don't feel better after a few days.[10]
Consult a specialist to treat arthritis or a digestive condition. If your primary doctor suspects your high WBC count is due to arthritis or a digestive issue, they'll refer you to the appropriate specialist. Your specialist will recommend medication or dietary changes to help manage the underlying condition.[11]
Ask your doctor if they recommend testing for malignant conditions. You doctor may recommend more tests if your counts are over 100,000. This may include blood smears or a bone marrow test.[12]
Work with a specialist to develop a treatment plan if necessary. In the rare event that you do have cancer, a team of doctors will develop a treatment plan. A leukemia diagnosis is scary, but treatment is available. Your doctor will advise you which course of treatment is right for you.[13]
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17704-high-white-blood-cell-count
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17704-high-white-blood-cell-count
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003643.htm
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=35&ContentTypeID=160
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003643.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3019042/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905589/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168822717316789
- ↑ http://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/1201/p1004.html
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
It's possible to reduce white blood cells by making lifestyle changes. Make sure you talk to your doctor first about the underlying cause and your treatment options. One way to reduce your white blood cell count is to quit smoking if you do, as this can quickly bring your count back into the normal range. Another common cause of a high white blood cell count is stress. Try to reduce your workload and use coping strategies like meditation to lower your stress levels. If you're overweight, losing weight can help to reduce your white blood cell count. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to get started. For more information from our Medical co-author, like how to seek medical treatment, read on!
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