White Blood Cell Differential Test
The White Blood Differential Test measures the percentage (and absolute values) of each type of white blood cell (WBC) that you have in your blood.
Five different types of white blood cells, also called leukocytes, normally appear in the blood:
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
The test shows if the number of cells are in proper proportion with one another, and if there is more or less of one cell type.
What do abnormal results mean?
Any infection or acute stress increases your number of white blood cells. High white blood cell counts may be due to inflammation, an immune response, or blood diseases such as leukemia. It is important to realize that an abnormal increase in one type of white blood cell can cause a decrease in the percentage of other types of white blood cells.
Although your white blood cells account for only about 1 percent of your blood, their impact is significant. White blood cells are essential for good health and protection against illness and disease. Think of white blood cells as your immunity cells. In a sense, they are continually at war. They flow through your bloodstream to battle viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders that threaten your health. When your body is in distress and a particular area is under attack, white blood cells rush in to help destroy the harmful substance and prevent illness. White blood cells are produced inside the bone marrow and stored in your blood and lymphatic tissues. Because some white blood cells have a short lifespan of one to three days, your bone marrow is constantly producing them.
Biomarkers in this category
28 biomarkers · optimal ranges shown
Count of myelocytes circulating in peripheral blood.
Atypical lymphocytes are lymphocytes that have been activated to respond to a viral infection (occasionally a bacterial or parasitic infection). These cells are characterized by their increased size and often the presence of active protein synthesis. Pathologically altered lymphocytes are associated with numerous diseases. A few atypical lymphocytes are probably of little clinical significance. A large number of atypical lymphocytes are often found in viral infections like mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infections and hepatitis B. Toxoplasmosis, certain bacterial infections, medications, stress and autoimmune diseases can also be accompanied by a larger number of atypical lymphocytes. Atypical lymphocytes can also be observed in patients with several viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus infection, cytomegalovirus infection, rubella, Hantavirus infection, viral hepatitis and HIV infection. Several studies have shown that atypical lymphocytes have also been found in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of COVID-19 patients. It may reflect the disease pathophysiology and provide important information about the diagnosis or prognosis of the disease. References: Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL, et al., editors. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2008. [Google Scholar] Chong VCL, Lim KGE, Fan BE, Chan SSW, Ong KH, Kuperan P. Reactive lymphocytes in patients with COVID-19. Br J Haematol. 2020;189(5):844. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16690 [PubMed] El Jamal SM, Salib C, Stock A, Uriarte-Haparnas NI, Glicksberg BS, Teruya-Feldstein J, et al. Atypical lymphocyte morphology in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pathol Res Pract. 2020;216(9):153063. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153063 [PubMed] Weinberg SE, Behdad A, Ji P. Atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood of patients with COVID-19. Br J Haematol. 2020;190(1):36–39. doi: 10.1111/bjh.16848 [PubMed] Gelarden I, Nguyen J, Gao J, Chen Q, Morales-Nebreda L, Wunderink R, et al. Comprehensive evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with severe COVID-19 and correlation with clinical outcomes. Hum Pathol. 2021;113:92–103. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2021.04.010 [PubMed] The atypical lymphocyte, Wood, Turner A. et al., The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 42, Issue 6, 923 - 936 [L]
can be indicative of various pathological conditions
Immature form of white blood cells
a type of white blood cell
White blood cell type measured as percentage of total leukocytes.
Immune cell measured on CBC; high may signal allergy or parasites.
White blood cell type measured in CBC; elevated in allergies and parasites.
White blood cell count measuring infection-fighting granulocytes on CBC.
Shows the analyzer-defined GRAN share of white blood cells.
White blood cells fighting infection
White blood cell percentage measuring immune system lymphocyte activity.
typically include monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils
typically include monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils
Type of White Blood Cell
Shows what share of white blood cells are monocytes.
immature white blood cells
can be used as an indication of subclinical inflammation
NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) normal range: 1–3 in healthy adults. What high NLR means for inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and Alzheimer's research.
Type of White Blood Cell
Percentage of white blood cells that are neutrophils.
POLYS, ABS. COUNT is your absolute neutrophil count, also called polymorphs. Adult range 1.3-7.0 x10E3/uL. What a high or low result means.
Granulocytes
Mature neutrophils on the CBC differential; elevation signals infection.
Mature infection-fighting white blood cells