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Hematology

Leukocytes raised: medicines, smoking and when a high count points to leukaemia

Leukocytes are white blood cells from the bone marrow that protect the body against infection. During an infection they attack bacteria, fungi and viruses, and in leukaemia the bone marrow makes them without restraint, according to the NVKC.

A raised count can come from an infection, leukaemia, an injury or stress according to the NVKC, and a lowered count from chemotherapy, radiation or disorders of the immune system. The leukocyte count only shows in a blood count.

The count is given in billions per litre (× 10^9/l): Star-SHL uses 4.3 to 10.0 from age 18, Certe 4.0 to 10.0 from age 18, Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U 4.0 to 10.0 above age 15. A count above 100,000 per cubic millimetre (mm³) is almost always caused by leukaemia or a related bone marrow disease, according to a 2015 US review.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Leukocytes are the white blood cells that protect the body against infection. Star-SHL uses 4.3 to 10.0 × 10^9/l from age 18, Certe 4.0 to 10.0 from age 18, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U 4.0 to 10.0 above age 15.

  • A raised leukocyte count is called leukocytosis, a lowered count leukopenia.
  • According to the NVKC, the leukocyte count is often part of a complete blood count.
  • A leukocyte count above 100,000 per cubic millimetre (mm³) is almost always caused by leukaemia or a related bone marrow disease, according to a 2015 US review.

Reference Ranges

Male
10^9/l
Low 4 Normal 10 High

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

Leukocytes (WBC): what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in 10^9/l
Star-shl · Everyone · 18–110 years 4.3–10.0 10^9/l
4.3 10
Unilabs · Everyone · 15 years and older 4–10 10^9/l
4 10
Certe · Male · 18 years and older 4–10 10*9/L
4 10
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · 16 years and older 4–10 /nL
4 10
0 11 10^9/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Leukocytes (WBC): what this test measures

The leukocyte count gives the total of white blood cells per litre of blood, in billions (× 10^9/l). According to a 2015 US review, leukocytosis is often defined as more than 11.0 × 10^9 per litre in adults who are not pregnant.

Leukocytes (WBC): why this value matters

The leukocyte count can rise from medicines: according to a 2015 US review, corticosteroids, lithium, growth factors for white blood cells, beta agonists and adrenaline raise it.

The same review names smoking, obesity, the absence of the spleen and chronic inflammatory diseases as other causes that are not a malignant disease.

Leukocytes (WBC): how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Leukocytes (WBC): when is testing worthwhile?

According to the NVKC, a doctor has leukocytes counted to detect inflammation or leukaemia or to check the immune system, often within a complete blood count. With a raised count, a doctor also notes recent stressful events, medicine use, smoking and any removal of the spleen, according to a 2015 US review.

Leukocytes (WBC): symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

Chemotherapy, radiation and disorders of the immune system are the NVKC's causes of a lowered leukocyte count. Some bacterial infections, such as typhoid fever and brucellosis, cause a shortage of neutrophils instead, according to a 2015 US review.

High Levels

A leukocyte count of about 50 to 100 × 10^9 per litre is sometimes called a leukemoid reaction according to a 2015 US review, which can occur in some severe infections, sepsis, organ rejection or solid tumours. Above 100,000 per cubic millimetre (mm³) it is almost always leukaemia or a related bone marrow disease, according to the review.

When the red blood cells or the platelets are abnormal alongside a raised leukocyte count, that points to a problem in the bone marrow itself according to a 2015 US review.

Leukocytes (WBC): causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Chemotherapy

    Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and can lower the white cell count.

  • Radiation

    The white cell count can fall after radiation.

  • Immune system disorders

    A low white cell count points to an immune system that works less well, as in serious infectious diseases such as HIV.

What raises the value

  • Infection

    White blood cells attack bacteria, fungi and viruses, and during an infection their number is often raised.

  • Leukaemia

    In leukaemia white blood cells are produced without restraint.

  • Injury

    The white cell count can rise after an injury.

  • Stress

    Stress can also raise the white cell count.

Leukocytes (WBC): lifestyle and this value

With a raised leukocyte count, a doctor looks for the cause. According to a 2015 US review, a rise with abnormalities in other cell counts should lead to assessment by a specialist in blood diseases.

Leukocytes (WBC): frequently asked questions

Which medicines raise the leukocyte count?

Corticosteroids, lithium, growth factors for white blood cells, beta agonists and adrenaline raise the leukocyte count according to a 2015 US review.

What is a leukemoid reaction?

A leukemoid reaction is, according to a 2015 US review, a name sometimes used for a leukocyte count of about 50 to 100 × 10^9 per litre, which can occur in some severe infections, sepsis, organ rejection or solid tumours.

Leukocytes (WBC): sources

  1. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  2. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  3. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  4. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  5. NVKC, Alles over testen: WBC, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

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Leukocytes (WBC)

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