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Abnormal White Blood Cell Count

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What is an abnormal white blood cell count?

White blood cells are disease-fighting cells in your blood. Making up only 1% of your blood cells, they fight infection and are essential for good health. There are five different types of white blood cells in your body. Usually, there is an average amount of each type in your blood.

Your white blood cell count is the number of white blood cells in your body (in total and by each type). Your doctor may test your white blood cell count to see if it is normal or abnormal. Your body can have an abnormal white blood cell count from a high number of white blood cells (leukocytosis) or a low number of white blood cells (leukopenia).

There are many different causes for an abnormal white blood cell count ranging from a common cold to a genetic disorder. Successful treatment depends on the cause of your abnormal count.

Hematology Care Team

Here at Parkview, you’ll be cared for by a dedicated team of hematology specialists and sub-specialists, not a general oncologist who treats all types of cancer.

Learn more about our hematology care team.

Research & Clinical Trials

Parkview Research Center, in collaboration with Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, provides innovative clinical research, an integral component of advancing cancer care.

View current hematology clinical trials.