One of my favorite modules in my blood chemistry training was learning how to interpret the white blood cell results of a very common panel called a CBC with differential, and I thought it might help someone out there to get a little introductory lesson on the topic. Nothing too tricky here...just the basics that all of us should have learned in our high school science curriculum, but sadly did not.
First of all, the job of white blood cells is to fight off infection from various intruders. If your total WBCs are very low (determined using functional ranges, not typical lab ranges), it's likely you've had a chronic infection for an extended time and somehow it's been overlooked. The body has been trying so diligently to fight off infection for so long that now its reserves are drained and it's having a difficult time mounting any kind of attack on whatever the stubborn instigator might be, hence your low numbers. This is one reason why I often recommend getting blood drawn at least once a year, and more often if you have known conditions percolating. It's a good idea to keep tabs on how your body is doing, and what interventions you might consider to support its optimal function.
On the other hand, if your WBC number is significantly elevated, it's likely you are experiencing an acute infection, meaning it's significant and happening right now, and you likely have some obvious symptoms of prove it. The question is, whether your number happens to be very low or very high, how do you know what's causing it and what next steps to take? These are questions I hope to begin addressing here.
Types of White Blood Cells
You have 5 main types of WBCs, and they each have an important and unique function within the immune system. I like to think of them as branches of the military, where each branch excels in specialized operations, and where all branches work together to clear the "terrain" of unwanted invaders. These five types of cells put together are measured as percentages of one giant pie (100%), and in a healthy body, their numbers break down into the following general pattern.
First up is neutrophils. These cells should be most numerous in the breakdown and account for roughly 50% of your total WBCs. Their specific job is to fight off bacteria, but they might also be called in to address a fungal infection like candida. Nowadays it's quite common (not to be confused with being normal) for individuals to have bacterial infections in the gut. H. pylori is a specific one to look for, but there is also a more general diagnosis referred to as SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth, some pronounce it see-bo and others sib-oh), which can be a real buggar to address! Symptoms might include things like gas, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or acid reflux. Of course there could be bacterial infection elsewhere in the body (strep, UTI, and such), and that's why it's so critical to have in depth conversations with your provider about all of your symptoms - past and present - so you can get the best care. Antibiotics are usually the first tool of choice for conventional doctors when dealing with bacterial infection. And while the use of antibiotics might be appropriate in some situations, it's important to know that you often do have other safe and effective options for treatment that are natural and much kinder to your gut microbiome and immune system as a whole.
Next is lymphocytes. These are the second most numerous type of white cell and should be about 25-30% of the total. If you notice your number is elevated, it is likely the body is dealing with some kind of viral infection, maybe something like the flu. This is a great time to boost your immune function with nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, and probiotics, plus lots of rest and clean water. Antibiotics will not target a viral infection, so your best line of defense is to strengthen the inner terrain as robustly and consistently as possible with simple habits like eating real food, prioritizing sleep, getting plenty of sunshine, boosting vitamins, and handling stress in healthy ways. Of course, these are always great habits to practice, whether you are fighting infection or not!
Third in line are the monocytes. These represent a much smaller slice of the pie, accounting only for about 5-6% of the total WBC count. Their name might make you think of "mononucleosis," which is an appropriate connection since monocytes deal with viral infections like mono, which can be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). If you've ever dealt with recurrent cold sores or herpes, it's possible you'll see your monocytes elevate from time to time as a dormant EBV virus tends to flare when the body is under prolonged stress.
Eosinophils come next, and are often associated in mainstream medical with allergies, but are also highly linked to parasites and food sensitivities, even if your conventional doctor doesn't know it yet. There aren't many of these white cell warriors, only about 3% of the total, so if you see that your numbers are elevated, it's time to put on your detective hat and start asking better questions of yourself and your provider. I think it's also critical to know that parasites can be carriers of other instigators, playing host to viruses and such, so in addressing a parasite infection, you might inadvertently release other toxins into your system. Yet another reason to keep that immune system strong and healthy! I've had quite a bit of personal experience with eosinophils and all their baggage, and gaining more experience every day it seems, so if you have questions, please reach out.
Last in our list of WBCs are the basophils, and you want them to account only for a fraction of a percent, because they are also involved with targeting parasites. If either basophils or eosinophils are elevated, you've got some eradication and gut health work to do.
You might notice on some lab reports that these white cells are measured in percentages, but also in absolutes. The absolute number is simply the exact count of those cells in the blood sample. To turn the absolute into a percentage, you only have to navigate some grade school math to find the "part of the whole":
(Absolute Number divided by Total WBCs) x 100 = percentage
Did you find this article interesting or helpful? A few months ago I hosted a workshop about the CBC with differential in its entirety and had about 25 eager participants. Next month I'm following up with another workshop on the CMP, which stands for Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. If you'd like to attend, or if you have questions about the event, please send me a note.
The health of your body is your responsibility, not your doctor's. Know better, do better! You can do it!
Comments