Blood differential
Alternative names:
differential; white blood cell differential count
Normal values:
- neutrophils: 40 to 60%
- lymphocytes: 20 to 40%
- monocytes: 2 to 8%
- eosinophils: 1 to 4%
- basophils: 0.5 to 1%
- band: 0 to 3%
What abnormal results mean:
Any infection or acute stress results in increased production of WBCs. This usually entails an increased numbers of cells and an increase in the percent of immature cells (mainly band cells) in the blood. This change is referred to as a "shift to the left." High WBC counts indicate the presence of an inflammatory and/or immune response. It is important to realize that an abnormal increase in one type of leukocyte will produce an apparent decrease in the percentage of other types.
An increased percentage of neutrophils may indicate: A decreased percentage of neutrophils may indicate: An increased percentage of lymphocytes (lymphocytosis) may indicate: A decreased percentage of lymphocytes may indicate: An increased percentage of monocytes may indicate: - chronic inflammatory disease
- parasitic infection
- tuberculosis
- viral infection (for example, infectious mononucleosis, mumps, measles)
An increased percentage of eosinophils may indicate: A decreased percentage of basophils may indicate: Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
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