White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Test

The White Blood Cell (WBC) Count Test measures the number and types of white blood cells in your blood. WBCs, also known as leukocytes, are a critical part of your immune system, helping your body fight infections and other diseases. At Hindustan Laboratory, we provide precise WBC testing to support your health diagnostics.

What is a WBC Count Test?

A WBC count test evaluates the total number of white blood cells in a sample of your blood and may include a differential count, which measures the percentage of each type of WBC. This test helps diagnose infections, inflammatory conditions, immune disorders, and certain cancers.

Purpose of the WBC Count Test

Diagnose infections, such as bacterial or viral infections.
Detect inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.
Monitor conditions like leukemia or lymphoma.
Evaluate immune system function.
Monitor treatments that affect WBCs, such as chemotherapy.

Types of White Blood Cells

The WBC differential test identifies the five main types of white blood cells, each with a specific role in immunity:

WBC Type	Function	Normal Range (Approx.)
Neutrophils	Fight bacterial infections and acute inflammation.	40–60% of total WBCs (1,800–7,800/µL)
Lymphocytes	Support immune response (B and T cells); fight viral infections.	20–40% of total WBCs (1,000–4,800/µL)
Monocytes	Clear dead cells and fight chronic infections.	2–8% of total WBCs (100–700/µL)
Eosinophils	Combat parasitic infections and allergic reactions.	1–4% of total WBCs (50–500/µL)
Basophils	Release histamine in allergic reactions.	0.5–1% of total WBCs (0–100/µL)

Total WBC Count Normal Range: 4,500–11,000 cells per microliter (µL).

Preparation for the WBC Count Test

Typically, no special preparation is needed for a WBC count test. However, consider the following:

Inform your doctor about medications (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy drugs) or supplements, as they may affect WBC counts.
Notify Hindustan Laboratory of recent infections, stress, or pregnancy, which can influence results.
Follow any specific instructions provided by our team.

Procedure

The WBC count test is a straightforward blood test:

A healthcare professional cleans the site (usually your arm) with an antiseptic.
A needle is inserted into a vein to collect a small blood sample.
The sample is sent to our advanced laboratory for analysis, including a total WBC count and differential if ordered.
The procedure takes less than 5 minutes with minimal discomfort.

Interpreting WBC Results

Your WBC results are compared to standard reference ranges. Abnormal results may indicate:

High WBC Count (Leukocytosis): Infection, inflammation, stress, leukemia, or tissue damage.
Low WBC Count (Leukopenia): Viral infections, bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, or chemotherapy effects.
Abnormal Differential:
- High neutrophils: Bacterial infection or acute stress.
- High lymphocytes: Viral infection or chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- High eosinophils: Allergies or parasitic infections.

Always consult your doctor for a detailed interpretation, as results depend on your medical history and symptoms.

Why Choose Hindustan Laboratory for WBC Testing?

Advanced diagnostic equipment for accurate WBC counts and differentials.
Experienced laboratory professionals ensuring reliable results.
Rapid result delivery for timely diagnosis.
Comfortable, hygienic, and patient-friendly testing environment.

Ready to book your WBC Count Test? Contact us today!

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