What is the norm of neutrophils in human blood and what are the deviations from the norm. All you need to know about the increase in neutrophils Immature forms of neutrophils

In the general blood test, an important role is played by the assessment of leukocytes and, in particular, neutrophils. These cells largely determine our immunity, so it is simply necessary to monitor their condition. The human body responds by changing the number of neutrophils to a variety of disorders. That is why it is simply necessary to know the rate of neutrophils in a blood test. However, this is not enough: it is necessary to understand the reasons for possible deviations.

All neutrophils can be divided into stab, or young, and segmented, or mature. Even earlier forms are called young, but they should not be found in a blood test in healthy people. The difference between stab and segmented forms of neutrophils lies in the structural features of the nucleus. In the first case, it really looks like a stick, and in the second case it is divided into segments. During the analysis, the laboratory assistant clearly sees this difference under a microscope.

The norm of neutrophils in the blood is the same in women and men. This is 2-5% of all leukocytes for stab and 55-67% for segmented.

For children, these figures are slightly different:

• in infants: an average of 3.5% and 32.5%,
• in a child at 4-5 years old: 4% and 41%,
• in a child aged 6-7 years: 3.5% and 45.7%,
• in a child at 9-10 years old: 2.5% and 48.5%,
• in a child at 11-12 years old: 2.5% and 49%,
• in children after 13 years: 2.5% and 58%.

Such a difference in blood counts in a child and an adult is due to the different intensity of hematopoietic processes, as well as the imperfection of the immune system in children. The fact that these standards are the same for men and women indicates that the process of neutrophil formation does not depend on sex hormones.

However, there is one thing: during pregnancy in women, the level of neutrophils increases markedly. This is due to the fact that the female body is significantly rebuilt during the period of expectation of the child, and homeostasis changes. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the percentage of neutrophils in the blood of women increases by about 10%, and by the last trimester this figure reaches 69.6%.

To monitor the dynamics of changes, a woman during pregnancy should regularly visit a doctor and take a blood test. Timely detected deviations in the body of women who are expecting children allow them to be corrected as early as possible, which means protecting the unborn child from adverse effects.

Neutrophilic leukocytes live an average of 13 days. Like all blood cells, they are produced in the red bone marrow and then enter the general circulation. After neutrophils pass from the blood into the tissues, they quickly die. On average, about one hundred billion neutrophils are formed in our body per day (this figure is approximately the same for men, women and children).

When describing CBC results, neutrophils are sometimes referred to as neut or neu. Most often, such a reduction is issued by an apparatus that automatically counts blood cells. In manual analysis, as a rule, one can find a compressed record of s / s (segmented) and s / s (stab).

Before moving on to the causes of neutrophil deviations from the norm, it is necessary to say a few words about their function in the body. In short, this is participation in immune reactions. However, the same applies, for example, to lymphocytes. Therefore, the role of neutrophils requires some clarification. Their significance for the immune system is determined by the fact that they carry out phagocytosis, have a cytotoxic effect, and also secrete lysosomal enzymes and biologically active substances. Not a single inflammatory reaction can do without neutrophils.

Reasons for deviations

An increase in the percentage of neutrophils in the blood can be physiological and pathological. In addition to pregnancy in women, physiological changes include physical activity, psycho-emotional stress, and even food intake (due to the latter reason, the analysis must be taken on an empty stomach). Pathological factors leading to the fact that the total level of neutrophils is increased are extremely diverse.

The most common causes are bacterial infections and inflammatory processes of any etiology (including those due to trauma, surgery, intoxication). In addition, such a picture in the blood test occurs with any tissue damage, for example, with myocardial infarction or kidney infarction. Also, neutrophilia can be caused by hormonal disorders, and in particular, thyrotoxicosis, and the presence of oncological diseases in the early stages.

This blood picture is characteristic of some types of leukemia. As a rule, uncharacteristic young neutrophils appear in the blood, due to which the decoding of the analysis is not particularly difficult. The unpleasant thing is that leukemia is getting younger, and more and more often it is found not in middle-aged men and women, as it was before, but in children. However, with timely diagnosis, the child can be saved, and for this, a competent decoding of the blood test is important.

The most common cause of a decrease in the total number of neutrophils are viral infections, such as measles, rubella, influenza, hepatitis, etc. Variants with hematopoiesis suppression are also possible. It occurs when there is a lack of folic acid and vitamin B 12 in the body, possibly with acute leukemia, poisoning with benzene or aniline, massive irradiation. In rare cases, a genetic disorder of hematopoiesis is detected, which manifests itself in children from the very first days of life.

Another factor leading to a decrease in neutrophils is immune disorders that occur in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. It is possible to suppress immunity against a background of prolonged bacterial infection. In this case, low neutrophils do not indicate recovery, but show that the disease has become severe. In addition, there is a redistributive variant of neutropenia, when, when deciphering a blood test, it is found that neutrophils are lowered due to their low content in the sample taken for analysis, but in fact their total amount in the blood is within the normal range.

Such a discrepancy occurs when the blood flow is redistributed in favor of some organ (for example, in favor of the spleen in splenomegaly). Anaphylactic shock can serve as a vivid illustration of redistributive neutropenia.

As a rule, when deciphering a clinical blood test, attention is paid not only to the total content of neutrophils, but also to the ratio of the two main fractions - stab and segmented. Doctors always look not only at the neut (neu) values, but also at the individual numbers for each class. This is due to the fact that there are pathologies in which the total number is normal, but there is a shift in the ratio of cells in one direction or another. But this is a separate big topic.

However, even in itself, the changed number of neutrophils can say a lot when deciphering a blood test. Most often, when such deviations are detected, an experienced doctor, based on the clinical picture and laboratory data, can already assume the nature of the existing pathology, and all further studies are aimed at confirming the existing assumption.

Neutrophils are the largest group of leukocytes (immune blood cells), the main function of which is to protect the body from pathogenic bacteria. Acting as a kind of "suicide cells", they enter into a fight with a foreign body, splits it inside themselves and eventually die.

Before becoming a full-fledged cell of the human immune system, the neutrophil goes through several stages of "growing up":

1. myeloblast
2. promyelocyte
3. Metamyelocytes
4. stab
5. Segmented

The highest concentration of neutrophils is in the bone marrow, where they mature. A little less - in the internal organs and muscle tissues. About 1% of all neutrophils move through the blood vessels. At the same time, in the vast majority of cases, older cells (stab and segmented) participate in the immune process (protection from pathogens), and only in especially difficult situations do immature “individuals” enter the fight. In the blood of a healthy person, they may be completely absent.

The number of neutrophils is directly proportional to the number of problems that our immunity is facing at the moment. How to determine if this parameter is normal, and what to do if for some reason it is too high or too low? Let's try to understand this article.

The rate of neutrophils in a blood test

To determine the concentration of neutrophilic granulocytes in the blood, it is necessary to pass a general blood test. After some time, you will receive a paper with the results, on which, among other parameters, there will be graphs such as “stab” and “segmentonuclear” neutrophils. You will not find such an item as “neutrophils” in the analysis summary.

The norm of this type of cells differs mainly between age groups, i.e. for children and adults there are their own values. The content of neutrophils is determined in two ways: relative (as a percentage of the number of leukocytes) and absolute (the number of granulocytes per 1 liter of blood). Next, we will work with the relative definition type.

The concentration rate of stab neutrophils:

• In adults: 1-4%
• In newborns: 5 to 15%
• In babies aged 2 weeks: 1-4%
• In babies aged 1 month: 1-5%
• In children from 2 months to a year: 1-5%
• In children 4 to 12 years old: 1-4%

The values ​​of this parameter are approximately the same for people of all ages, excluding newborns. Significant differences begin when we talk about segmented neutrophils:

• In adults and children from 6 to 12 years old, the norm is 40-60%
• In newborns: 50-70%
• Babies under 1 week old: 35-55%
• In babies from 2 weeks: 27-57%
• In children aged 2 to 12 months: 45-65%
• In children aged 4-5 years: 35-55%

If you or your children have values ​​​​within the above norms, then you can relax - you are healthy and your immunity is working optimally. For those who have found that their neutrophil levels are higher than normal, we will tell you in more detail why this could happen.

Causes of Elevated Neutrophils

The phenomenon in which there is a positive deviation from the norm of neutrophils is called neutrophilia. Neutrophilia (or neutrophilia) is not an independent disease, and always goes "complete" with other diseases, such as leukocytosis (an abnormal level of white blood cells in the blood). The catalyst for neutrophilia can be a common cold or a cold, but other, more serious diseases cannot be ruled out. Here is a list of all possible reasons.

Depending on the content of neutrophils per liter of blood, 3 degrees of severity of the disease are distinguished:

• 1 degree (moderate neutrophilia) - up to 10 * 109 / l.
• Grade 2 (severe neutrophilia) - from 10 to 20 * 109 / l.
• 3 degree (severe form of neutrophilia) - from 20 to 60 * 109 / l.

The higher the level of neutrophilia, the more severe the suspected disease.

In no case should you panic and independently "diagnose" various diseases in yourself. If you notice elevated values ​​of neutrophils in a blood test, contact a specialist - first of all, a therapist.

He will study the general state of your health, conduct additional examinations, refer you to the right doctors, who will prescribe you a course of treatment. But this problem should certainly not be ignored - after all, this way you can skip the development of a dangerous disease.

Causes of Low Neutrophils

This condition is called neutropenia (as an option - agranulocytosis). It leads to a general decrease in the protective functions of the body and makes it available for infections such as fungal, bacterial, viral, etc. Agranulocytosis is acute and chronic (lasting many months or years). Doctors also distinguish 3 degrees of severity of this condition, depending on the content of neutrophils in the blood:

• mild (100-1500 cells per microliter of blood),
• moderate (less than 1000 per microliter),
• heavy (500 or less).

Symptoms, as in neutrophilia, are not observed as such, but a connection can be traced between the disease and the cause that caused it. A severe (febrile) form of neutropenia is usually accompanied by fever up to 38 ° C, general weakness of the body, chills and heart rhythm disturbance. In this case, the chronic form may not manifest itself in any way. It proceeds quite “calmly”, without reducing the immune functions of the body, the optimal balance of monocytes and eosinophils is maintained in the blood, hematopoietic functions and the production of red blood cells are not reduced. However, disease resistance in patients with chronic neutropenia is still lower than in healthy people.

In order to effectively treat agranulocytosis, you need to understand the causes of its occurrence. Among them may be:

• Rubella, influenza, SARS and other viral infectious diseases
• Bacterial infections such as brucellosis, typhoid fever, dysentery
• Toxoplasmosis
• Malaria
• Anemia (aplastic and hypoplastic)
• Myelofibrosis
• pancreatic insufficiency
• HIV infections
• Heredity
• Hypersplenism (decrease in the content of erythrocytes, platelets, leukocytes in the blood)
• Radiation sickness, chemotherapy, radiation
• Wasting of the body (cachexia), underweight
• Taking analgesics, chloramphenicol, penicillin and other drugs
• Avitaminosis, folic acid deficiency
• A congenital disorder of the bone marrow (Kostmann's syndrome), in which the production of neutrophils is significantly reduced.

How to increase the level of neutrophils?

This problem is very individual, and, by and large, it should be dealt with by a professional. However, there are some patterns. General practitioners, hematologists or immunologists, depending on the causes of the disease, usually prescribe a course of treatment for neutropenia with antibiotics, antifungals, immunosuppressants (special antiviral proteins). Sometimes glucocorticosteroids are used - special drugs that fight antibodies; G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) - to artificially increase the production of neutrophils in the bone marrow.
An interesting fact: every hour in an adult, about 5 billion leukocytes, 1 billion erythrocytes and platelets die. In their place come new cells that mature in the bone marrow and spleen.

Neutrophils - the defenders of the body

Neutrophils are tiny bodies from the group of leukocytes that, at the cost of their own lives, resist various viruses and bacteria in our body. You should not ignore our little friends, and if, according to the results of the analysis, you see that they are actively struggling with something (neutrophilia) or, conversely, they are not coping with the task (neutropenia), your task is to report these in order to maintain your health. doctor's deviations. Thus, you will save yourself from possible problems in the future and get rid of worries in the present.

Neutrophils, or neutrophilic leukocytes, are the most numerous subspecies of white blood cells - leukocytes. Being present in the blood, neutrophils perform one of the most important functions - protecting the body from the effects of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other harmful agents.

Neutrophils detect a pathogenic microorganism, destroy it, and then die themselves.

Maturation and classification of neutrophils

The life cycle of neutrophils consists of formation and maturation in the red bone marrow. Having passed all the stages of maturity, neutrophils penetrate through the walls of the capillaries into the blood, where they stay from 8 to 48 hours. Further, mature neutrophils enter the tissues of the body, providing protection from the effects of pathogenic agents. The process of cell destruction takes place in tissues.

What are neutrophils?

Until full maturation, neutrophils go through 6 stages, based on which, cells are classified into:

• myeloblasts;
• Promyelocytes;
• Myelocytes;
• Metamyelocytes;
• stab;
• Segmented.

All forms of cells, except for segmented ones, are considered functionally immature neutrophils.

Functions of neutrophils

When pathogenic bacteria or other harmful substances enter the body, neutrophils absorb them, neutralize them (phagocytize), and then die.

Enzymes that are released when neutrophils die soften nearby tissues, resulting in the formation of pus in the focus of inflammation, consisting of destroyed leukocytes, damaged cells of organs and tissues, pathogenic microorganisms and inflammatory exudate.

What is the content standard?

The amount of neutrophil content is measured in absolute units contained in 1 liter of blood and the percentage of the total number of white cells (leukocytes).

When examining blood with an expanded leukocyte formula, the ratio of neutrophil types is determined

A decrease in the level of neutrophils is called neutropenia (agranulocytosis), an increase is called neutrophilia (neutrophilia).

To determine the type of neutropenia and neutrophilia, data on the reference values ​​of the ratio of cell types are used.

What do the changes in the analysis say?

Increased neutrophil levels

An increase in the level of neutrophils in the blood is called neutrophilia (neutrophilia).

Deviation from the norm of segmented neutrophils may indicate the following pathologies and conditions:

• infectious diseases;
• Pathology of the lower extremities;
• Oncological diseases;
• Functional disorders of the urinary system;
• Rheumatoid inflammatory diseases;
• An increase in blood sugar levels.

Exceeding the norm of stab neutrophils occurs in acute infectious and inflammatory diseases that provoke an acceleration of the penetration of immature neutrophils into the bloodstream.

The number of young neutrophils above the norm is a consequence of:

• pneumonia;
• Otitis;
• Pyelonephritis;
• Surgical intervention and postoperative period;
• Dermatitis;
• Holistic violation of the skin;
• Various kinds of injuries;
• Thermal, chemical burns;
• gout;
• Rheumatoid diseases;
• Neoplasms of a malignant / benign nature;
• Anemia (polysegmentation of neutrophils is observed);
• autoimmune diseases;
• Extensive blood loss;
• fluctuations in ambient temperature;
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Deviation from the norm of stab neutrophils upwards can be caused by excessive physical or emotional stress.

There is also an increase in immature neutrophils while taking certain medications, such as:

• Heparin
• Corticosteroids
• Adrenalin
• Medicines containing the foxglove plant.

Band neutrophilia is observed with intoxication with lead, mercury, or insecticides.

Uniform growth of stab and segmented neutrophils is observed with:

• Localized purulent inflammation(appendicitis, infections of ENT organs, tonsillitis, acute pyelonephritis, adnexitis, etc.);
• Generalized purulent inflammation(peritonitis, scarlet fever, sepsis, etc.);
• Necrotic processes(stroke, gangrene, heart attacks, etc.);
• Disintegration of a malignant neoplasm;
• Ingestion of bacterial toxins, without infection by the bacteria themselves (example: ingestion of botulism toxin, formed when the bacteria themselves die).

Neutrophilia is classified according to the severity:

Neutrophilia is asymptomatic and is detected, most often, by chance.

Decreased neutrophil count

A condition in which the number of neutrophils in the blood is below normal is called neutropenia or agranulocytosis.

The classification of neutropenia is based on the course of the pathology:

• Chronic neutropenia that lasts longer than 1 month;
• Acute neutropenia developing from several hours to several days.

The neutrophilic shift to the left is divided into degrees:

• Light- 1-1.5 x 10 9 / l;
• Average- 0.5-1 x 10 9 / l
• Heavy- less than 0.5 x 10 9 /l

There are the following types of agranulocytosis:

• Primary, which is observed more often in patients 6-18 months of age. Primary agranulocytosis is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Sometimes soreness of different localization, cough syndrome, inflammation of the gingival tissues, gingival bleeding are noted;
• Secondary, the development of which is observed mainly in adults and is associated with past autoimmune pathologies.
• Absolute developing with whooping cough, sepsis, typhoid fever, acute leukemia, infectious mononucleosis;
• Relative, occurs in patients under the age of 12 years and is explained by the physiological characteristics of a person;
• Cyclical, characterized by the periodic development of fungal or bacterial diseases, the manifestation of symptoms with a frequency of 4-5 days every 3 weeks. Clinical manifestations of this form of the disease are migraine, fever, inflammation of small joints, inflammation of the throat, tonsils;
• autoimmune, in which a decrease in the level of neutrophils is associated with the intake of certain drugs. Often found in patients with dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases.
  A decrease in the level of cells in the blood is provoked by taking analgin, anti-tuberculosis drugs, immunosuppressants, and cytostatics. Also, this type of pathology occurs with prolonged antibiotic therapy with drugs of the penicillin group.
• Febrile, which is the most dangerous form of the disease. The condition is characterized by a sudden and rapid decrease in the level of neutrophils to critical values ​​(below 0.5 x 10 9 /l).
  The development of pathology is observed during or immediately after chemotherapy, which is used to treat cancer. Febrile agranulocytosis indicates the presence of an infection in the body, the timely detection of which is often impossible.
  A low number of neutrophils in the blood leads to the rapid spread of infection in the body, which often leads to death. It is characterized by a sharp increase in temperature to subfebrile levels, tachycardia, hypotension, weakness, profuse sweating;

The reasons for the decrease in the level of neutrophils are:

• infections;
• Inflammatory processes;
• Taking certain medicines;
• Chemotherapy;
• Pathological processes in the spinal cord;
• Lack of vitamins;
• Heredity.

Symptoms of neutropenia include:

• Febrile and subfebrile temperature;
• Ulceration of mucous membranes;
• Pneumonia;
• Sinusitis, sinusitis, rhinitis;
• Meningitis.

Changes in the leukocyte formula, including shifts in the level of neutrophils, almost always indicate the presence of a disease in the body. When detecting any neutrophilic changes in the blood test, it is important to undergo a detailed examination and the necessary treatment.

With deviations from the norm of neutrophils in the blood, it is very important to identify the cause of the violations as soon as possible.

For diagnosis can be used:

• X-ray examination of the chest;
• X-ray examination of ENT organs;
• Analysis of urine;
• Blood test for HIV;
• Puncture of the bone marrow.

Treatment of neutropenia and neutrophilia is primarily aimed at treating the underlying disease that caused a violation of the level of neutrophils in the blood.

Video: Deciphering a blood test

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Neutrophils - what is it?

The process of maturation of neutrophilic granulocytes occurs directly in the bone marrow, after which they immediately enter the bloodstream at a rate of about seven million per minute. They remain in the blood for no more than two days, after which they move to tissues and organs, protecting them from infectious pathologies.
The process of destruction of old neutrophils is carried out in the tissues. If we talk about the process of maturation of these cells, then it occurs in exactly six stages, which follow one after another: myeloblast, promyelocyte, myelocyte, metamyelocyte, stab and segmented cell . All forms of these cells other than the segmental cell are considered to be immature. If inflammation or infection develops in the human body, the rate of release of neutrophils from the bone marrow immediately increases. As a result, cells that have not matured to the end enter the human blood. The number of such immature cells indicates the presence of a bacterial infection. In addition, they provide information on the activity of this infection in the patient's body.

The most important function assigned to neutrophils is destruction of bacteria. In the case of the development of an acute infectious pathology, the number of these blood cells increases dramatically. It should be noted that these cells can perform their function even in those tissues that receive a very small amount of oxygen. It can be tissues captured by both edema and inflammation.

At first, these cells are detected, after which they phagocytize bacteria, as well as tissue decay products. Having absorbed these components, they destroy them through their enzymes. Enzymes that are released at the time of the decay of these cells also contribute to the softening of the surrounding tissues. As a result, an abscess on the face. In fact, pus in the area of ​​​​the affected areas includes just the same neutrophils, as well as their remnants.

The rate of neutrophils in the blood

The number of these blood cells in a child's blood is determined by his age:

• On the first day, the baby's blood contains from one to seventeen percent of stab neutrophils and from forty-five to eighty percent of segmented neutrophils.
• In children under the age of twelve months: sex - four percent stab neutrophils and fifteen - forty-five percent segmented neutrophils.
• In children aged one to twelve years, the number of stab neutrophils is half - five percent, and segmented - twenty-five - sixty-two percent.
• At the age of thirteen to fifteen years in the blood of a child, there is sex - six percent of stab neutrophils and forty - sixty-five percent of segmented neutrophils.

During pregnancy, the normal number of these cells is the same as in adults.

An increase in the level of neutrophils in the blood

Neutrophils (granulocytes, neutrophilic leukocytes) are lymphocyte cells that defend the body and at the cost of their own existence. When they die, they prevent the spread of infection. The presence of serious bacterial or fungal infections can be confirmed by a blood test, according to which neutrophils are elevated.

You can find out the number of these cells by the results of a general blood test. A separate column indicates the percentage of neutrophils in relation to the total number of lymphocytes. To figure out the absolute (abs.) value, you will already need basic mathematics skills. It is necessary to multiply the number of lymphocytes by the percentage of neutrophils and divide the resulting figure by 100.

Example: lymphocytes - 6 x 10 9 cells per liter, neutrophils - 70%.
The absolute number of neutrophil cells = 4.2 x10 9 /l. (6 x 10 9 x 70 / 100 = 4.2 x 10 9).

Just as often, the number of cells is indicated in thousands per microliter - thousand / μl, which leaves the numeral component of the indicator unchanged in both cases.

Excess number of neutrophils

For diagnostic purposes, not only the total number of neutrophils is interesting, but also their species ratio, they are segmented and stab, and in case of serious pathologies, metamyelocytes and myelocytes can get into the blood. It is necessary to pay attention to lymphocytes in their total number: they can be lowered, be normal or exceed it. Let us examine in more detail the reasons for the increase in the level of neutrophils, which are constantly present in the blood. But first, let's define the differences between the different forms of these blood cells.

Adult granulocyte cells have a nucleus, which is divided into segments, hence the name - segmented.

In cells that have not completed maturation, the nucleus is not fully formed and looks like a stick - they are called stab.

Increase in the total number of neutrophils

If a blood test indicates an increase in the number of neutrophils, this may be a sign of the following pathologies:

• A bacterial infection that is accompanied by a focal or generalized (generalized) inflammatory process. In the first case, this may indicate an infection of the respiratory tract or throat, a purulent-inflammatory process in the ear, tuberculosis, a kidney infection in the acute phase, pneumonia, etc. In the second case, cholera, peritonitis, sepsis, scarlet fever;
• Processes associated with the formation of necrotic areas. The reasons lie in gangrene, stroke, myocardial infarction, burns of a large area;
• The presence of toxins that directly affect the functions of the bone marrow. The agent may be alcohol or lead;
• The presence of toxins of bacterial origin, without the introduction of the bacterium itself. Often it can be the result of eating canned foods (bacteria have lost their viability, and their metabolic products are still present);
• Malignant tumors at the stage of tissue breakdown.

An increase in neutrophils may also indicate the introduction of a vaccine in the recent past, a recovery period after an infectious disease.

Norm Options

In some cases, neutrophilic leukocytes can rise to the level of 7-8 billion in one liter of blood and be a normal value. As a rule, such indicators are typical for pregnant women. It can occur after a heavy meal, be the result of psychological stress, shock or physical activity. The analysis, as a rule, is performed several times in order to establish the truth of its indicators.

Degrees of excess

The condition when neutrophils are elevated is called neutrophilia or neutrophilia. There are several stages of the process. For their classification, the absolute values ​​\u200b\u200bof the indicators are used, expressed in billions of cells in one liter of blood (for convenience, the value is used in the degree - 10 9).

The higher the degree of neutrophilia, the harder the process in the body.

Increase in segmented neutrophils

Segmented granulocytes make up about 70% of all neutrophils in the blood. An increase in their number, along with an increase in the total number of leukocytes, indicates the following pathologies:

1. Infections in the body (encephalitis, fungal diseases, spirochetosis);
2. Diseases of the lower extremities;
3. The presence of malignant tumors;
4. Pathologies in the functioning of the urinary system;
5. Inflammatory phenomena of a rheumatoid nature, with gout, pancreatitis, arthritis, impaired tissue integrity;
6. An increase in the level of glucose in the circulating blood.

Increase in stab neutrophils

Stab neutrophils can be elevated in the acute course of the infectious process. Their sharp release into the blood is provided by the immune system in response to the invasion of a foreign agent. And there is also an increase in the level of neutrophils at the initial stages of diseases (provided that segmented neutrophils are within the normal range). This is due to the fact that over a period of 5 to 48 hours they “grow up” and form a segmented nucleus from a “rod” - they turn into segmented ones.

The reasons for the high rate of stab neutrophils:

• Inflammation of the ear, kidneys, or lungs;
• The period immediately after surgery;
• Acute skin reaction in the form of an allergy or dermatitis;
• Violation of the integrity of the skin;
• Injuries to internal organs and bones;
• Burns of varying severity;
• Gout;
• Rheumatoid phenomena;
• A tumor of a benign and malignant nature;
• Anemia;
• Decrease or increase in ambient temperature;
• Pregnancy;
• Diabetes;
• An allergic reaction to taking medications;
• Large blood loss;
• Bacterial infection and purulent diseases.

Physical exertion, nervous overexcitation, or elevated levels of carbon dioxide can also cause neutrophils to be elevated in the body. It is known that a blood test indicates stab neutrophilia after the use of drugs such as heparin. The same effect is observed with drugs of the corticosteroid series, adrenaline or herbal preparations based on foxglove. Neutrophils are also elevated as a result of poisoning with lead, mercury, or insecticides.

Neutrophils are elevated against the background of a decrease in the number of lymphocytes

Above, the options were considered when the level of lymphocytes increases along with the number of granulocytes. Now let's figure out why lymphocytes can be lowered with an increase in the proportion of neutrophils. A blood test can give such a result under the following conditions:

• kidney failure;
• Chronic long-term course of diseases of an infectious nature;
• Reaction to the X-ray examination;
• Reaction to a course of chemotherapy or radiation treatment;
• Malignant diseases in the terminal stage;
• As a result of aplastic anemia;
• Prolonged use of cytostatics.

Such a condition is observed (lymphocytes are lowered, and neutrophils are increased) in women with premenstrual syndrome, in an adult, regardless of gender, nervous strain and prolonged stress. In such cases, as a rule, segmented granulocytes increase.

The norm of neutrophilic lymphocytes

A blood test at different ages shows a different number of such cells in the bloodstream in relation to the total number of lymphocytes. The table below shows upper limit of normal. Higher numbers indicate that neutrophils are elevated.

In children, the minimum level of stab granulocytes is at the level of half a percent. In an adult, the lower limit of stab granulocytes normally does not fall below 1%.

Segmented granulocytes in children under one year old are reduced if they fall short in relative terms up to 15%, from one to six years old - up to 25%, up to 15 years old - up to 35%, in adults, in adults - up to 47%

We remind you that it is still not worth planning a course of treatment on the basis of a blood test and other studies, even after carefully studying the information on the Internet. Only a doctor can evaluate the results: not only a one-time decrease or increase in indicators matters, but also their dynamics (comparison with earlier results). It is also necessary to take into account the level of other blood cells and the results of other studies. Leave the hard work to the professionals.