The identification of leukocytes in the analysis of blood. Explanation

It is unlikely that there will be a person who at least once in his life did not take a blood test. Everyone is painfully familiar with this process, but how to correctly interpret the results of the analysis is known only to a narrow circle of people. Deciphering leukocytes in the analysis of blood, red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit indicators may seem a difficult task, but there is nothing complicated in this.

One of the most important indicators in the analysis of blood is the number of leukocytes - proteins, which provide protection for the human body. These white blood cells affect the functioning of the immune system and control of their number is directly related to the tendency to fight with an infection. That is why the values of leukocytes in the analysis of blood should be known to everyone. Consider this indicator in more detail.

General information about leukocytes

Leukocytes (white blood cells, or white blood cells (WBC)) is a group of cells in the human body that are produced in the lymph nodes and bone marrow. Their main function is to fight against tissue damage and infections. So, for example, with the help of special enzymes, certain forms of leukocytes can bind and accumulate pathogenic microorganisms and products of their vital activity, others - produce antibodies that destroy foreign cells. The common definition of leukocytes in the blood test is WBC.

Deviation from the norm

The importance of leukocytes in the blood is the indicator of the functioning of the immune system. Normally in a healthy person, the amount of WBC in a blood test, regardless of age, should be within 4-9x10 ⁹ .

An increase in the total number of leukocytes is called leukocytosis. It is worth noting that physiological and pathological leukocytosis are distinguished. And if the causes of the first can be ordinary stress, smoking, physical activity, eating unhealthy food, as well as pregnancy and childbirth, then the second occurs against the background of infectious diseases (eg, sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis).

If the number of WBC, in contrast, is reduced (leukopenia), this indicates a poor state of the immune system. Leukopenia can be observed when certain viral infections (chicken pox, rubella, some forms of influenza) occur in the human body, as well as during the intake of medications (eg, colds, analgesics).

Types of leukocytosis

Depending on the type of leukocytosis, it is necessary to interpret the results of deciphering the value of leukocytes in a blood test differently. If the increase in the level of leukocytes is not accompanied by physiological symptoms of diseases (physiological leukocytosis), then worry about the results of the analysis is not worth it. In this case, the leukocyte formula will return to normal after the factor that provokes an increase in leukocytes in the blood ceases to function on the body. If, leukocytosis is pathological, it is worth a thorough examination, as this may be a sign of quite dangerous diseases. So, for example, against the background of chronic leukocytosis, leukemia (uncontrolled proliferation of leukocytes) can occur, in which white blood cells cease to perform their functions.

Leukocyte formula. Explanation

In total there are five forms of white blood cells. The designation of leukocytes in the analysis of the blood in the section of their forms is called the leukocyte formula. According to it, namely the proportional ratio of leukocytes, it is possible to determine the nature of the inflammatory process that takes place in the patient's body.

The absolute content of leukocytes (in terms of specific forms) per unit volume is usually determined by the formula: A (%) * WBC (109 / L) / 100, where A (%) means the proportion of a certain form of white blood cells among the total number of white blood cells in percentage Form, and WBC (109 / l) - the total number of leukocytes in the blood.

Forms of leukocytes. Neutrophils

The norm of neutrophils (for an adult human) is 48-78%. This is the first and largest group of forms of leukocytes. The amount of these concentrated in the tissues of WBC in the blood test ranges from 50-70% of the total. They first of all fall into the centers of inflammatory processes and try to destroy harmful microorganisms. Neutrophils are also the main protectors against toxins and microbes. In the presence of infection, the number of this form of white blood cells can increase by 10 times. In this case, the leukocyte formula will have a shift to the left.

Eosinophils

Eosinophils are the second form of leukocytes continuously formed in the human bone marrow, their number is only 1 to 5 percent of all WBCs. After full maturation, this form of leukocytes leaves the bone marrow and moves through the circulatory system into tissues, mainly the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, where they begin to destroy proteins that are external to the body.

The increase in this form of WBC in the analysis of blood (eosinophilia) occurs due to their enhanced formation and indicates that the body began to actively protect itself from foreign proteins entering the blood. As a rule, eosinophilia develops against the background of allergic diseases or the entry into the body of helminth larvae.

Reduction of eosinophils in the blood (eosinopenia) or their complete disappearance can be observed during the course of almost all acute infectious diseases. The appearance of this type of white blood cells after their absence in the analysis indicates the first signs of recovery.

The norm of eosinophils (for an adult human) is 0.5-5%.

Basophils

The least numerical form of leukocytes is basophils. They play an important role, in situations when the body gets an allergen. If the basophil recognizes it, it begins to destroy, releasing into the blood biologically active substances that cause clinical symptoms (allergic reactions).

Basophilia is the process of increasing these leukocytes. This is a typical reaction of the body in an allergic state or a symptom of a disease such as chicken pox. Also, an elevated level of these leukocytes is a characteristic feature of the onset of the menstrual cycle or ovulation in women.

The lack of basophils from the medical point of view has no diagnostic value, and basepenia is not taken into account when establishing a clinical diagnosis and deciphering the leukocyte formula.

The norm of basophils for an adult is 0-1%.

Monocytes

Monocytes are the largest form of leukocytes. Their main function is to fight pathogenic and foreign organisms together with neutrophils. But since the size of monocytes is much larger, they live and destroy harmful bodies much longer than neutrophils.

The definition and designation of leukocytes in blood analysis of this type is quite an important process, since an elevated level of monocytes is a direct sign of such a disease as infectious mononucleosis, and their absence is about the occurrence in the body of severe inflammatory, infectious diseases, including bone marrow damage.

The norm of monocytes (for an adult person) is 3-11%.

Lymphocytes

The key units in building the immune system are lymphocytes - another form of white blood cells. They are formed in the spleen, bone marrow, and then transferred directly to the blood and lymph, where they perform the function of recognizing the antigen of the foreign body with which they had previously met. This unique property of lymphocytes creates what we know as immunity from previously transmitted diseases.

Lymphocytes are of three types: T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and NK-lymphocytes. The former are responsible for cellular immunity, the latter provide antibody formation or so-called humoral immunity. NK-lymphocytes destroy their own cells if infection markers were found on their surface.

The increase in the amount of this form of white blood cells is called lymphocytosis, and the decrease is called lymphopenia. When deciphering the leukocyte formula in the absence of physical signs of the disease, deviation from the norm of lymphocytes is not dangerous. The designation of leukocytes in the analysis of the blood of this form in the context of the species is a rather important stage in deciphering the leukocyte formula.

The norm of lymphocytes (for an adult person) is 25-40%.

It is worth noting that the norms for all forms of leukocytes are indicated for an adult. For children, depending on the age, these figures have a different meaning.

Obviously, it is not very difficult to understand how white blood cells are designated in the general blood test, and what figures mean against this indicator. Do not neglect this knowledge and use it to strengthen your health. But also it is not necessary to engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication, since only an experienced specialist can in time appoint a competent course of treatment and save the patient from further problems.