A high white blood cell count is an increase in cells in the blood that fight infections.
What's considered high in a white blood cell count varies from one lab to another. This is because laboratories set their own reference ranges based on the populations they serve. In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells in a microliter of blood is considered high.
A test a health care provider orders to diagnose a condition can reveal a high white blood cell count. A high white blood cell count is rarely found by chance.
Talk to your care provider about what your results mean. A high white blood cell count plus results from other tests might show the cause of your illness. Or you might need other tests for more information about your condition.
Show References
- White blood cell count (WBC blood test). Testing.com. https://www.testing.com/tests/white-blood-cell-count-wbc/. Accessed Nov. 23, 2022.
- McPherson RA, et al. Leukocytic disorders. In: Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2022. www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 23, 2022.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/high-white-blood-cell-count/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050611