What does a high neutrophil on blood test mean?

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection. A high neutrophil count, also known as neutrophilia, can indicate that the body is fighting an infection or that there is inflammation present.

Some common causes of neutrophilia include:

Infection: Neutrophilia is a common response to infection, and can be seen in bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Inflammation: Neutrophilia can also occur in response to inflammation, such as that caused by trauma, surgery, or autoimmune diseases.

Cancer: Neutrophilia can sometimes be a sign of cancer, especially if it is accompanied by other abnormal blood test results.

Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy, can cause neutrophilia.

In most cases, neutrophilia is not a cause for concern and will resolve once the underlying infection or inflammation has been treated. However, if you have a high neutrophil count and you are not experiencing any symptoms, it is important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Here are some additional details about neutrophilia:

Normal neutrophil count: The normal neutrophil count for adults is between 2,000 and 5,000 neutrophils per microliter of blood.

High neutrophil count: A high neutrophil count is defined as a neutrophil count greater than 7,000 neutrophils per microliter of blood.

Symptoms of neutrophilia: Neutrophilia can sometimes cause symptoms, such as fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, in many cases, neutrophilia does not cause any symptoms.

Treatment for neutrophilia: The treatment for neutrophilia depends on the underlying cause. In most cases, neutrophilia will resolve once the underlying infection or inflammation has been treated.

If you have a high neutrophil count, it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and to rule out any underlying medical conditions.