What does a high neutrophil count mean?!


Question: What does a high neutrophil count mean.?
Answers:
Neutrophil granulocytes, generally referred to as neutrophils, are the most abundant type of white blood cells in humans and form an essential part of the immune system. They form part of the polymorphonuclear cell family (PMN's) together with basophils and eosinophils.

Neutrophils are normally found in the blood stream. However, during the beginning (acute) phase of inflammation, particularly as a result of bacterial infection, neutrophils migrate toward the site of inflammation, firstly through the blood vessels, then through interstitial tissue, following chemical signals (such as Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and C5a) in a process called chemotaxis. They are the predominant cells in pus, accounting for its whitish/yellowish appearance.

The stated normal range for human blood counts varies between laboratories, but a neutrophil count of 2.5-7.5 x 109/L is a standard normal range. People of African and Middle Eastern descent may have lower counts which are still normal.

There are many possible causes for an abnormally high neutrophil count. A neutrophil level that is more than 8000 is considered to be abnormally high. One basic cause of a high neutrophil count is when a high level of stress is placed on the body. The stress can due to many factors such as nervousness, exercise, or seizures (involuntary muscle movements due to overexcitement of nerve cells in the brain). Another cause is a sudden infection from bacteria. Damage or inflammation of tissues can also lead to a high neutrophil count. Examples would be burn injuries and a heart attack.

Sudden kidney failure can cause a high neutrophil count. The kidneys are two organs located on each side of the spine, behind the stomach. The kidneys filter (remove) wastes from the blood. A condition known as ketoacidosis can also cause a high neutrophil count. Ketoacidosis is a condition in which acids and poisonous chemical substances known as ketones are produced by the body. Ketones are produced when the body has a difficult time breaking down fats.

Another cause of a high neutrophil count is eclampsia. Eclampsia is a rare, but serious complication of pregnancy characterized by an attack of convulsions (abnormal, severe, involuntary muscle movements) that are not caused by other conditions of the brain, such as bleeding in the brain, in a woman with moderate or severe (but not mild) preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a severe condition that occurs in the 2nd half of pregnancy, which is characterized by a sudden onset of high blood pressure with edema (a type of swelling), and/or abnormal amounts of protein in the urine (pee).

A high neutrophil count can be caused by cancer spreading in the body. Cancer is a group of diseases in which symptoms are due to an abnormal and excessive growth of cells in one of the body organs or tissues. A cell is the smallest, most basic unit of life, that is capable of existing by itself.

Hemolytic anemia can cause a high neutrophil count. Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells are destroyed earlier than they should be. Red blood cells help carry oxygen to the blood. Another cause of a high neutrophil count is polycythemia vera. Polycythemia vera is a condition of unknown cause in which there is a long-term increase in red blood cells and other types of cells. Myeloid metaplasia can cause a high neutrophil count. Myeloid metaplasia is a condition in which bone marrow (a tissue that fills the openings of bones) grows in abnormal places in the body.
Certain medications can also lead to a high neutrophil count. One such medication is corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are a group of drugs that act similarly to a natural chemical in the body known as corticosteroid hormone. Corticosteroid hormones control the body's use of nutrients and the amount of water and salts in the urine (pee). Another such medication that can raise the neutrophil count is lithium carbonate. Lithium carbonate is a type of salt that is used as a drug to reduces mania (an abnormal, overly excited state).

Health Question & Answer

It means you have an infection somewhere in your body, that or a recovering infection. Neutrophils go through apopthosis into that which we see as pus, so they collect around areas of an infection. It just means you have in infection. Health Question & Answer

It means you have a high white blood cell count

You have reverse-leukemia.Health Question & Answer

A person has bacterial infection.Health Question & Answer



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