Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps heal damaged tissue and treat infections. Neutrophil blood levels naturally increase in response to infections, injuries, and other types of stress, and may decrease in response to severe or chronic infections, drug treatments, and genetic conditions.
Neutrophils help prevent infection by blocking, inactivating, digesting or removing invading particles and microorganisms. They also communicate with other cells to help them repair cells and create an appropriate immune response.
According to a report by Medicalnewstoday, the body produces neutrophils in the bone marrow, which represent 55-70% of all white blood cells in the bloodstream. The normal level of white blood cells in the bloodstream of an adult ranges between 4,500 and 11,000 per cubic millimeter (mm3). When an infection or other source of inflammation is present in the body, chemicals especially stimulate the mature neutrophils, which then leave the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream to the site of need.
Unlike some cells or other components of the blood, neutrophils can travel through the junctions of cells that line the walls of blood vessels and enter the tissues directly.
Causes of high or low levels
An abnormally high level of neutrophils in the blood is known as neutrophilic leukocytosis. High levels of neutrophils usually occur naturally due to infection or injuries. However, neutral blood levels may also increase in response to:
Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, beta-2 agonists, and epinephrine, some cancers, physical or emotional stress, surgery or accidents, tobacco smoking, pregnancy, obesity, genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, surgical removal of the spleen, some inflammatory conditions can increase levels of Neutrophils, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis and vasculitis.
An abnormally low level of neutrophils in the blood is a condition called neutropenia. A decrease in the blood levels of neutrophils usually occurs when the body uses immune cells faster than it produces them or when the bone marrow does not produce these cells correctly. The spleen traps and destroys neutrophils and other blood cells.
Some of the conditions and procedures that cause the body to use neutrophils too quickly include the following: severe or chronic bacterial infections, sensitivity disorders, certain drug treatments, autoimmune disorders
Neutrophil blood test
A laboratory specialist can evaluate a blood sample for white blood cell levels.Doctors can identify changes in neutrophil levels with a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC), which identifies specific groups of white blood cells.
A doctor may order a CBC test when someone has a combination of symptoms related to infection, chronic disease, and injury, such as fever, pain, and fatigue. A nurse or technician will draw a small amount of blood from the arm and send it for evaluation.
If the initial test shows a higher or lower number of white blood cells than normal, the doctor will likely repeat the test to confirm the results. If the initial results are confirmed, the doctor will perform a physical examination, ask questions about the person’s lifestyle, and review their medical history.
If there is no apparent cause for the changes in the levels of white blood cells, the doctor will order a more specific test. Laboratory specialists will look for certain white blood cells, such as immature neutrophils called myeloblasts during injury or chronic disease, these cells appear from the bone marrow and mature in the blood. Instead of bone marrow, if myeloblast cells or other white blood cells appear at large levels in the blood, the doctor will order a sample of the bone marrow.
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