QuestionI had a blood test done recently
everything came back pretty great; except my total wbc was 3,700, and my neutrophils were on the high side.
the nurse said that perhaps it was random, or perhaps i was at the beginning of an infection when i had the test done. point blank, i'm getting a follow-up...but, how serious is a wbc that low?
AnswerHi,
Please be advised that this is not a substitute for medical advice. Your doctor is the best source of information and advice for your own specific health condition and treatment.
Below is a reference range table for hematology tests, including WBC counts.
http://pathcuric1.swmed.edu/pathdemo/nrrt.htm
Reference ranges are averages based on patient populations and therefore can vary slightly from one patient population to another.
You don't say whether you are male or female, but normal reference ranges can vary among patients based upon a variety of factors, including the patient's age and sex.
If you are otherwise healthy and your other lab results are normal, fyi your WBC value is not that far outside the normal reference range, and is definitely not a panic value.
panic values
http://www.stanfordlab.com/pages/panicvalues.htm
Neutrophilia can be the result of a bacterial infection but there can be other causes.
Depending on whether or not your doctor is concerned, getting a retest is the standard procedure for an out of range lab result.
Elizabeth
