Fwd: [MC_USA] White Blood Cells ( Part 1 )

[Guest guest]

Wayne Fugitt

Sun, 25 Apr 2004 23:48:07 -0500

[MC_USA] White Blood Cells ( Part 1 )

 

Evening Jim,

 

You asked about white blood cells. I think your primary concern was related to

low counts, or the ability to keep the count normal. In some situations, the

normal ..... should be HIGH. When infection and disease is present, the body

can increase the count on demand. That is, if the body chemistry has not

already been compromised by disease, the raw materials are not available, or the

metabolism of key ingredients has not been blocked by some toxic chemical. The

most common toxic chemicals commonly encountered are prescription drugs.

Also, many Over the Counter pain relievers have a major impact on critical body

chemistry processes.

 

Wayne

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White blood cells, or leukocytes, are classified into two main groups:

granulocytes and nongranulocytes (also known as agranulocytes).

 

· The granulocytes, which include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils,

have granules in their cell cytoplasm. Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

also have a multilobed nucleus. As a result they are also called

polymorphonuclear leukocytes or " polys. " The nuclei of neutrophils also appear

to be segmented, so they may also be called segmented neutrophils or " segs. "

 

· The nongranuloctye white blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes, do not

have granules and have nonlobular nuclei. They are sometimes referred to as

mononuclear leukocytes.

 

The lifespan of white blood cells ranges from 13 to 20 days, after which time

they are destroyed in the lymphatic system. When immature WBCs are first

released from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood, they are called " bands "

or " stabs. " Leukocytes fight infection through a process known as phagocytosis.

During phagocytosis, the leukocytes surround and destroy foreign organisms.

White blood cells also produce, transport, and distribute antibodies as part of

the body's immune response.

Two measurements of white blood cells are commonly done in a CBC:

 

· the total number of white blood cells in a milliliter of blood, reported

as an absolute number of " X " thousands of white blood cells, and

· the percentage of each of the five types of white blood cells. This test

is known as a differential or " diff " and is reported in percentages.

Normal values for total WBC and differential in adult males and females are:

· Total WBC: 4,500 - 10,000

· Bands or stabs: 3 - 5 %

· Granulocytes (or polymorphonuclears)

· Neutrophils (or segs): 50 - 70% relative value (2500-7000 absolute

value)

· Eosinophils: 1 - 3% relative value (100-300 absolute value)

· Basophils: 0.4% - 1% relative value (40-100 absolute value)

· Agranulocytes (or mononuclears)

· Lymphocytes: 25 - 35% relative value (1700-3500 absolute value)

· Moncytes: 4 - 6% relative value (200-600 absolute value)

Each differential always adds up to 100%. To make an accurate assessment,

consider both relative and absolute values. For example a relative value of 70%

neutrophils may seem within normal limits; however, if the total WBC is 20,000,

the absolute value (70% x 20,000) would be an abnormally high count of 14,000.