2006-09-26 02:05:55 · 10 answers · asked by rodmanbig 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Normal range is 4-10 (x1000) This means you have a pretty good infection somewhere. If you know that you are 17.6, I am sure you went to the DR and had labs drawn. They prob put you on some medication (antibiotics). Call the Dr that ordered your labs and talk to them or their nurse. They call look at your chart and explain it all to ya.
2006-09-26 02:53:35 · answer #1 · answered by MelRose48 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fancy word for elevated WBC is leukocytosis.
The WBC count usually goes up when the body is fighting an infection but also a response to extreme stress. A very upset crying baby taken to the ER that then has to undergo examination by doctors, nurses, and then have blood drawn will often have an elevated WBC do to the stress. Most patients that go through Open Heart Surgery have an elevated WBC afterwards. What happens is that the bone marrow releases these WBCs into the peripheral circulation whenever a threat is detected. While a WBC of 17.6 is high, it also depends on what the differential says. There are diseases that can also cause an elevated WBC and some versions of polycythemia seem to have elevated WBCS too.
In your case, what ever caused you to go to the doctor and then get a blood test is confirmed by your result. Yes you are sick and not faking it. Be sure to discuss your result with your doctor and follow his/her directions for treatment.
WBCs usually return to normal fairly quickly and I bet you no longer have this WBC today.
PS - I am assuming that the number is 17.6 x 1000 mm3 WBC counts are almost always reported that way.
2006-09-26 09:41:08 · answer #2 · answered by petlover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know what the figure ranges are but a high white blood cell count can signify an infection your body is trying to fight - Im assuming you are under a Drs care to get this test done so wont tell you to go there
2006-09-26 09:07:49 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Kazz♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It simply means that you have an infection or really LOW red blood cells, which is an iron deficeincy. That is what I have.. Also have Anti-Nuclear Antibodies in my system. Not sure how that happened or what one can do to fix it. BUT with a high white blood cell count I would ask the doctor to do furthur testing just to be sure it is nothing serious.. Good Luck.
2006-09-26 11:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by vikkiaviau 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A doctor will tell you. I don't know what the number means; i only know when a doctor tells you the wbc count is high. It means you probably have an infection. That's what it usually means. You should see your doctor for more help.
2006-09-26 09:08:10 · answer #5 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infection - the body uses white blood cells to fight infection - better get a good checkup
2006-09-26 09:07:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be something as simple as a cold or sinus infection or it could be something more serious.
Most likely, unless you have had this for several weeks, it is probably an acute infectin.
2006-09-30 04:07:07 · answer #7 · answered by pixles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That number doesn't coincide with WBC readings, they usually range in the thousands.
2006-09-26 09:11:11 · answer #8 · answered by Tulip 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're asking the question here? Go to your doctor!
2006-09-26 09:14:32 · answer #9 · answered by dontknow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are probably not HIV positive?
2006-09-26 09:07:11 · answer #10 · answered by Akkakk the befuddled 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋