a 12.5% monocyte in a recent cbc means what?

Question

otherwise, asymptomatic.

Answer 1

Monocyte count is part of the white blood count. (WBC), which is part of the CBC. There are two parts to a WBC, the total count of WBCs (leukocytes) in a specimen of blood, and then the differential count, which measures the percentage of each type of leukocyte in the same specimen. Leukocytes are: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Normal count for monocytes is 2% to 8% so yours is high. There should have been a correlating drop in at least one of the other leukocytes. Elevated monocytes can indicate:
- chronic inflammatory disorders
- viral infections, such as infectious mononucleosis
- tuberculosis
- chronic ulcerative colitis
- parasites, such as malaria

Monocytes are a phagocytic cell, which means their purpose is to kill and digest bacterial microorganisms. They are rapidly produced, and can spend several hours (>6) circulating in the body.

In response to the answer that it means nothing, I'd have to say yes and no. Yes in the sense that CBC and WBC are both non-specific tests, meaning they are diagnostic of nothing. They are merely screening tests which give a doctor an overall, generalized picture of your health. Most times there is nothing to worry about - you may have had a mild cold, for example, which would result in inflammation, thus causing a rise in monocyte levels. When the levels consistently keep coming back raised, then there is possible cause for concern, and further investigation is warranted.

Answer 2

Cbc Meaning

Answer 3

It means nothing according to my husband who is an Infectious Disease doctor.