What is Leukocytes, Our Body’s Invisible Soldiers?

The human body is a true miracle. Even a cell or organ that we don’t see or think of as unimportant can be lifesaving. One of these leukocytes, or popularly known as white blood cells or red blood cells. Leukocyte, They are the most important soldiers of our body’s defense wall. Therefore, the increase or decrease in the number of cells is critical.

Leukocyte This is why diseases related to diseases are of concern. Because a decrease or increase in the number of white blood cells in the body means that the immune system does not work properly. What is leukocytes, what happens in the body if it increases or decreases, We answered questions such as which diseases cause a change in the number of white blood cells in the body and explained the important details you need to know.

What is a leukocyte?

Leukocytes, popularly known as white blood cells or red blood cells, It is produced by stem cells and stored in the bone marrow. In cases such as an infection or inflammation in the body, these white blood cells are released by the marrow and body protection is provided.

Recognizing toxic toxins, viruses, fungi and bacteria that have somehow penetrated the body, the leukocyte leaves the vessel and is problematic. moving rapidly towards the area He starts to fight with the enemy he knows. Normally, it makes up only 1% of the blood, but when it encounters a harmful organism, it multiplies rapidly by dividing.

How many types of white blood cells (Leukocytes) do we have in our body?

Even though we are talking about white blood cells under a single title with the name of leukocyte, in fact, according to their functions and functions. 3 main groups, We can divide both of these 3 basic groups into 3 separate subgroups. 3 types of basic leukocyte groups; granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. To divide it into subgroups;

• Granulocytes
  • Basophils: make up 1% of total leukocytes but increase rapidly during typical allergic reactions.
  • Eosinophils: Respond quickly to parasitic infections.
  • Neutrophils: They are scavengers that destroy bacteria and fungi in the body.
• lymphocytes
  • B cells: They produce antibodies necessary for the immune system to respond to infections.
  • T cells: They recognize the cells that cause the infection and ensure that they are eliminated from the body.
  • Natural killer cells: They recognize and destroy cancer and viral cells.
• Monocytes: They make up 2% to 8% of white blood cells and fight chronic infections.

So what should be the ideal leukocyte value?

• The rate of leukocytes per cubic millimeter in newborn babies should be between 13,000 and 38,000.
• In 2-week-old babies, the leukocyte rate should be between 5,000 and 20,000 per cubic millimeter.
• The leukocyte rate in adults should be between 4,500 and 11,000 per cubic millimeter.
• The leukocyte rate in pregnant women should be between 5,800-13,200 cubic millimeters.

This is the normal leukocyte ratio that should be in the human body. However, the rates given here contain a general definition. According to the person’s health history higher and lower rates can also be considered normal. Before you worry, you should definitely consult your doctor about the issue.

Causes of high leukocyte value:

• Asthma-like allergic reactions
• Severely damaging burns, heart attack, and other trauma that can cause white blood cell death
• Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and vasculitis
• Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• blood cancer, also known as leukemia

This type of ailment is generally caused by the high rate of white blood cells in the body. High leukocyte rate It is called leukocytosis. In addition to these disorders, it is known that some surgical operations also cause leukocytosis.

Causes of low leukocyte value:

• HIV virus that causes lupus or AIDS
• Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or different toxins that damage the bone marrow
• Bone marrow damage from different causes
• blood cancer, also known as leukemia
• Lymph cancer, also known as lymphoma
• sepsis, a severe infectious condition
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

These types of disorders are generally caused by low white blood cell ratio in the body. High leukocyte rate It is called leukopenia. If an infection is suspected to be causing the leukopenia condition, white blood cell status can be checked regularly with blood tests.

How is leukocyte measurement done?

If your doctor suspects a disorder caused by low or high leukocytes during the physical examination A white blood cell count test called WBC may want. It’s not always a bad thing for your doctor to order this test. A leukocyte count may be requested to rule out some possibilities.

The white blood cell count can be easily performed with the blood test we know in general. However, in some cases, if you want to see much more detailed results, spinal fluid can also be taken. A white blood cell count may be ordered for allergy testing, infection testing, leukemia testing, to monitor bone marrow transplant effectiveness, and so on.

How does the leukocyte rate increase or decrease?

Some herbal treatments are mentioned for people with high or low leukocytes. However, this a serious matter Do not apply the cures that you come across in your own internet searches at home. You should definitely consult your doctor about the issue.

The rate of white blood cells can be reduced with a blood filtering procedure called leukapheresis or with drugs such as hydroxyurea. Due to cancer treatment methods such as chemotherapy If the white blood cell count in the body has decreased, it may also be advisable to avoid foods that contain heavy bacteria. This will prevent possible infections.

In case of low leukocytes Eating yogurt, which is high in zinc and calcium, and walnuts, which are rich in vitamin E, can increase the number of white blood cells. In case of high leukocytes Drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding sugar and stress, not smoking and exercising regularly can lower the white blood cell count. But let’s repeat, do not apply any of these without consulting your doctor.

the invisible soldiers of our bodies What is a leukocyte, what does it do? We answered questions such as what happens in the body if it falls or decreases, and we explained the points you need to pay attention to. Let us remind you again that what we have explained here is for informational purposes only and you should not do any application without consulting your doctor.