Tag: White blood count (WBC)

A white blood cell (WBC) count is a test that measures the number of white blood cells in your body. This test is often included with a complete blood count (CBC). The term “white blood cell count” is also used more generally to refer to the number of white blood cells in your body.

There are several types of white blood cells, and your blood usually contains a percentage of each type. Sometimes, however, your white blood cell count can fall or rise out of the healthy range.

WBCs, also called leukocytes, are an important part of the immune system. These cells help fight infections by attacking bacteria, viruses, and germs that invade the body.

White blood cells originate in the bone marrow but circulate throughout the bloodstream. There are five major types of white blood cells:

neutrophils
lymphocytes
eosinophils
monocytes
basophils
The normal percentages of the types of WBCs in your overall count are usually in these ranges, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): (this may vary with your testing lab, please check your own lab)

Type of WBC Normal percentage of overall WBC count

neutrophil 55 to 73 percent

lymphocyte 20 to 40 percent

eosinophil 1 to 4 percent

monocyte 2 to 8 percent

basophil 0.5 to 1 percent

Higher or lower numbers of WBCs than normal can be a sign of an underlying condition.

Having a higher or lower percentage of a certain type of WBC can also be a sign of an underlying condition.

23Jun 2015 by Ronny Allan 4 Comments

Surgery is risky but so is driving a car

Survivorship, Treatment

I enjoyed reading an article written by Dr Eric Liu entitled The Complications of Surgery. In his article, Dr Liu, himself a surgeon, explains that surgery comes with risks, and patients should be made aware and be able to discuss these risks with their doctors. This got me thinking about my own experience which goes back to the autumn of 2010 when I first met my surgeon. At that time, there were a few articles about whether surgery or 'biochemistry' was the best treatment for certain types, grades and stages of Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs).To some extent, these debates continue, particularly for pancreatic NETs. Surgery for certain NETs in certain scenarios is a controversial issue for NETs - as outlined in this article - to cut or not to cut. I've…

What is Chromogranin A? Chromogranin A (CgA) is an acidic protein released along with catecholamines from chromaffin cells and nerve terminals. This statement alone might explain why it’s a good marker to use with Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. It is said to be a measure of tumour bulk. Depending on the test kit being used, you may […]

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Catch them early, not late!

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Repeat after me: Maria Menounos has Neuroendocrine Cancer

Like many people from outside USA, I don’t really know anything about Maria Menounos. For those in the same boat, let me confirm she is a very well-known personality in USA. A journalist, television presenter and actress. She has hosted Extra and E! News; she was a TV correspondent for Today, Access Hollywood, and co-hosted […]

Type of WBC	Normal percentage of overall WBC count
neutrophil	55 to 73 percent
lymphocyte	20 to 40 percent
eosinophil	1 to 4 percent
monocyte	2 to 8 percent
basophil	0.5 to 1 percent