Due to its ability to move, leukocytes migrate through the capillary walls into the tissue to the lesions. They absorb the particles of foreign bodies and digest them. This phenomenon is called phagocytosis, the leukocytes absorbers – phagocytes.
With a strong inflammatory processes, absorbing particles of foreign bodies, phagocytes increase in size and die, resulting in the formation of pus.
Norma leukocytes in the blood
Adult men and women normal levels of leukocytes and are approximately the same fluctuating aisles 4x10*9 – 9x10*9/L.
The number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in blood is 1000 times lower than red blood cells or erythrocytes.
In children the number of leukocytes changes with age. The older the child, the lower the rate:
- newborn norm of white blood cells varies from 9 to 30х10*9/l;
- children from 1 year to 3 years, the level of leucocytes in the aisles ranging from 6.0 to 20,0x10*9/l;
- aged 6 to 10 years the rate of leukocytes is 6.0 -11,0x10*9/l;
- in children older than 10 years of age, an indicator of the level of leukocytes will be equal to the index of adult in the aisles 4x10*9 – 9x10*9/L.
The leukocyte count may deviate from the norm in either direction under the influence of the following factors: what time of day, hungry or well-fed people, that eat, relaxed or under stress, physically tired or rested also stay in the sun visiting the baths or saunas etc. Therefore, for a more accurate, a blood test for leukocytes is to sit in the morning on an empty stomach (you can drink some pure water).
The number of platelets in the blood exceeds the number of leukocytes in 40 times.
Abnormalities in blood tests
Abnormalities of leukocyte count talking about any adverse processes in the human body and their severity. And repeated the blood test will help to observe the dynamics of development or recession of the inflammatory process.
Also, an abnormal level of leukocytes in the blood along with other tests and symptoms will help diagnose the patient.
If you lower the number of white blood cells in the blood of the diagnosis leukopenia. It is an indicator in some infectious diseases (measles, tuberculosis, septic), viral infections(typhoid, hepatitis, chickenpox, rubella), and high radiation.
The decrease in the level of leucocytes may be observed after administration of paracetamol and some antibiotics and after chemotherapy.
If elevated white blood cells are diagnosed with leukocytosis. It speaks of inflammatory diseases, suppuration, various infections. It is possible to diagnose acute bleeding, gout, heart attack, severe burns. If leukocytes exceeds the norm by 10 times or more, it may indicate leukemia blood.
Increasing the level of leukocytes in women can be considered normal before menstruation, during pregnancy and especially after birth.