Leukocytosis – Causes, Complaints & Therapy

Leukocytosis is defined as a reactive but relatively non-specific increase in the number of leukocytes. Leukocytosis is an acute or chronic, short- or long-term change in blood counts. Whether leukocytosis is present can be seen from the blood count. Leukocytosis can indirectly provide information about the presence of certain processes in the organism. However, the increase in leukocytes does not say where they happen or what causes them. Leukocytosis is only an indicative symptom.

On average, the number of leukocytes in the blood in adults is between 4,500 and 11,500 per microliter of blood. However, the average value is different for women and men. Women usually have a slightly lower leukocyte count.

In newborns and children, it is naturally increased considerably. Newborns, for example, may have a leukocyte count of 300,000. In a so-called leukopenia, the usual mean value is clearly undercut, in leukocytosis it is clearly exceeded. Hyper-leukocytosis in adults is the state of dramatic leukocytosis with leukocyte counts of 100,000 per microliter of blood.

Causes

The causes of leukocytosis are diverse and involve different types of cells that can trigger leukocytosis. Depending on the cause, one speaks of neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, basophilia, eosinophilia or monocytosis.Based on the specific leukocytosis present, one can conclude on infectious processes or tumor formations in the organism, but also on the onset of leukemia.

With acute inflammation in the body – for example, bilitis or appendicitis – leukocytosis occurs as a concomitant symptom. However, a meat meal that is difficult to digest can also be the trigger. This is referred to as digestive leukocytosis.

Leukocytosis can also be caused by the administration of glucocorticoids, disorders in the central nervous system, chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or certain endocrine diseases.

Mild and transient increases in white blood cells can occur even from inhaling cigarette smoke. If diseases of the blood-forming system are present, leukocytosis can also occur as if certain cancers or autoimmune diseases are present. Medications can also be responsible for leukocytosis.

Diseases

• Bile inflammation

• Appendicitis

• Crohn’s disease

• Autoimmune diseases

• Tuberculosis

Symptoms and course

With regard to the symptoms and course of leukocytosis, it can be said that you can have an elevated temperature or feel weak. Fever is one of the main signs of inflammation-related leukocytosis. The immune defense can be disturbed because the leukocytes play an important role in the immune defense. The symptoms of acute leukocytosis can be relatively nonspecific. However, the signs of leukocytosis are influenced by the respective clinical picture, if an organic disease is the cause. Leukocytosis with leukocyte counts above 50,000 can be an indicator of leukemia, tuberculosis and other serious infections or a tumor.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of leukocytosis can be made via blood count analysis. Leukocytosis is often discovered by chance. If there are certain changes in addition to leukocytosis, these can give an indication of the cause of leukocytosis. If necessary, a bone marrow biopsy is indicated because the leukocytes are formed in the bone marrow. Since leukocytosis can be caused by different types of cells, it is necessary to clarify the nature of the causes of leukocytosis. Only then is a more accurate diagnosis possible. Leukocytosis is only an accompanying symptom, but not the actual disease.

Complications

Leukocytosis always requires medical evaluation and treatment. Although it is a relatively harmless phenomenon, if left untreated, it can lead to serious subsequent symptoms. A typical complication is a decrease in well-being, which occurs primarily with pronounced leukocytosis. If the lack of white blood cells persists over a longer period of time, psychological problems can also develop under certain circumstances. Those affected then suffer, for example, from Mood Swings or depressive moods.

In severe cases, the leukocytosis causes Leuemia . Blood cancer is associated with serious symptoms such as weight loss, feelings of illness and a severe decrease in well-being. Leukemia often leads to the death of the patient. When treating leukocytosis, the risks come from the drugs used. Anti-inflammatory drugs can cause side effects such as headaches, muscle and body aches, gastrointestinal problems and skin irritation. If the patient has an allergy, allergic reactions or even anaphylactic shock cannot be ruled out.

treatment and therapy

Therapy of acute leukocytosis is not always necessary. Because it is a reactive leukocyte elevation, it often goes away. After heavy eating – such as a heavy meat meal – or inhaling cigarette smoke, leukocytosis does not require treatment.However, the situation is different if there are other symptoms, internal inflammation , endocrine or immunological events, leukemia or tumors. Abscesses or inflammation may need to be treated with medication or surgery.

In the case of leukemia, the aim is to eliminate the imbalance of blood cells in the blood, which indicates leukocytosis. Bone marrow donation or blood plasma transfers are possible treatment options. However, the treatment of leukemia-related leukocytosis is very difficult and complex. Often only a remission is achieved, but not a complete cure of the disease with the leukocytosis disappearing.

Prevention

Relatively little can be done to prevent leukocytosis. At best, one can eat healthily to rule out digestive leukocytosis and rule out post-nicotine leukocytosis. Otherwise, a healthy lifestyle is the best insurance against leukocytosis. However, it cannot completely rule out inflammatory processes, tumor formation or endocrine diseases. Acute leukocytosis often goes unnoticed.