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.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) involved in the immune response. Atypical lymphocytes are generally lymphocytes that have been activated to respond to a viral infection or sometimes a bacterial or parasitic infection. A few
Learn moreAtypical lymphocytes, quantified as x10^9/L on a White Blood Cell (WBC) Differential panel, are a crucial diagnostic marker, indicative of various pathological conditions. These cells, larger than typical lymphocytes, often exhibit irregular shapes a
Learn moreBand neutrophils are the immature form of a white blood cell found in our bodies. All white blood cells act as a defense mechanism against stress and infection. An unusually high level of band neutrophils typically indicates the presence of a bacteri
Learn moreWhat Are Basophils? Basophils are a type of white blood cell that helps defend against allergens, pathogens, and parasites. They have a short lifespan of one to two days and play a key role in the immune response. As granulocytes, basophils con
Learn moreWhat Are Basophils? Basophils are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays a key role in your immune system, particularly in defending your body against allergens, pathogens, and parasites. Despite their small numbers—they make up l
Learn moreWhat Are Eosinophils? Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that helps defend against parasites, allergens, bacteria, and viruses. They make up less than 5% of all white blood cells but play a key role in immune responses. An elevated eosi
Learn moreWhat Are Eosinophils? Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that play a key role in protecting your body from infections, allergens, and foreign invaders. These cells are part of your immune system and are responsible for defendin
Learn moreWhat Are Lymphocytes and What Do They Do? Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell essential for immune defense. They help the body fight infections, diseases, and foreign invaders. As part of the immune system, lymphocytes work alongside lymph
Learn moreWhat Are Lymphocytes and What Do They Do? Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in your immune system. They help your body fight off diseases and infections by identifying and targeting harmful invaders like bacteria,
Learn moreIn a Complete Blood Count (CBC), the readings labeled MID# and MID% refer to the mid-sized cells population in the blood, which typically include monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. These are types of white blood cells (WBCs), and these measuremen
Learn moreIn a Complete Blood Count (CBC), the readings labeled MID# and MID% refer to the mid-sized cells population in the blood, which typically include monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. These are types of white blood cells (WBCs), and these measuremen
Learn moreWhat Are Monocytes? Monocytes are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays a key role in immune defense. They circulate in the blood and tissues, identifying and eliminating viruses, bacteria, fungi, and infected cells. When a pathogen
Learn moreWhat Are Monocytes? Monocytes are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays a critical role in your immune system. They help protect your body by identifying and eliminating harmful invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa,
Learn moreMyelocytes are immature white blood cells, primarily found in the bone marrow, and their presence in a peripheral blood sample is unusual and significant. A white blood cell (WBC) differential test, which measures the types and numbers of white blood
Learn moreNLR (Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio) is a biomarker that can be used as an indication of subclinical inflammation. NLR is a calculation based on the Absolute Neutrophil Count divided by the Absolute Lymphocyte Count determined by the peripheral blood
Learn moreWhat Are Neutrophils? Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells, essential for immune defense. They are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream and tissues to combat infections. As phagocytic cells, neutrophils
Learn moreWhat Are Neutrophils? Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell (WBC) in the human body and are critical to your immune system's function. As phagocytic cells, their primary role is to engulf and destroy harmful invaders like
Learn morePolymorphonuclear (PMN) cells refer to the group of white cells known as granulocytes. The three types of granulocytes are: Neutrophils Basophils Eosinophils
Learn moreNeutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell in the found. They are phagocytic, meaning that they engulf and destroy things like bacteria and viruses at the site of an injury. Like all other white blood cells, they also play a part in o
Learn moreNeutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell found in the body. They are phagocytic, meaning that they engulf and destroy things like bacteria and viruses at the site of an injury. Like all other white blood cells, they also play a part
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