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Hematology

Leukocytes (white blood cells): normal value and what too high or too low means

Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are made in the bone marrow and protect the body against infection. During an infection they attack pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses and destroy them.

A raised leukocyte count is called leukocytosis and can come from an infection, leukaemia, an injury or stress according to the NVKC, the Dutch society for clinical chemistry; a lowered count is called leukopenia. How many leukocytes are in the blood can only be counted with a blood test.

The leukocyte count is given in billions per litre (× 10^9/l). 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.

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

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Male Your group
10^9/l
Low 4 Normal 10 High
Female Your group
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
Certe · Female · 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 measures how many white blood cells are in the blood, expressed in billions per litre (× 10^9/l). Unilabs also calls the test WBC, short for white blood cells.

According to the NVKC, the count is often done as part of a complete blood count. According to the NVKC, the limits can differ slightly depending on the laboratory where the value is measured.

Leukocytes (WBC): why this value matters

The leukocyte count shows whether the immune system is working properly according to the NVKC, and a lowered count points to reduced immune function. According to the NVKC, the count is also used to detect infections or leukaemia, and in those cases it is often raised.

According to a 2015 US review, a raised neutrophil count, neutrophils being one kind of white blood cell, is the most common form of leukocytosis. That review names infections, stress, chronic inflammation and medicines as possible causes of it.

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.
Which test
Blood count checkup · €109,- · General checkup · €199,-
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Leukocytes (WBC): when is testing worthwhile?

Leukocytes are counted, according to the NVKC, to detect inflammation or leukaemia, or to check whether the immune system is working properly. As examples of a weaker immune system, the NVKC names the use of chemotherapy and serious infectious diseases such as HIV.

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

Low Levels

A low leukocyte count is called leukopenia and can result from chemotherapy, radiation or disorders of the immune system according to the NVKC. With a shortage of neutrophils, the picture can range from no symptoms to a serious illness needing hospital admission, according to a 2025 US review.

That review calls neutropenia with fever an emergency in cancer care: fever together with fewer than 500 neutrophils per microlitre (µL).

High Levels

With a high leukocyte count, or leukocytosis, fever and pain can come, according to a 2015 US review, with an infection or a malignant disease, while fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding can point to a malignant cause.

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

A 2015 US review names smoking, obesity, some medicines, the absence of the spleen and chronic inflammatory diseases as causes of a raised leukocyte count that are not a malignant disease.

According to the same review, a rise lasting hours to days points to other possible causes, such as infections, acute leukaemia or stress reactions, than a rise that persists for weeks to months.

Leukocytes (WBC): frequently asked questions

What is the difference between leukocytosis and leukopenia?

Leukocytosis is a raised leukocyte count and leukopenia a lowered one. According to the NVKC, leukocytosis can come from an infection, leukaemia, an injury or stress, and leukopenia from chemotherapy, radiation or disorders of the immune system.

Can the leukocyte count change quickly?

Yes, the leukocyte count in the blood can double within hours after certain triggers according to a 2015 US review, because there is a large store of neutrophils, one kind of white blood cell, in the bone marrow and a second store along the vessel wall inside the blood vessels. That review names surgery, exercise, an injury and emotional stress as triggers that can cause a quick rise.

Why is the leukocyte count read next to red blood cells and platelets?

A raised leukocyte count together with abnormal red blood cells or platelets points to a problem in the bone marrow itself according to a 2015 US review. According to that review, an assessment by a specialist in blood diseases should follow.

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

Test Products

This marker is included in the following test panels.

Blood count & immunity

Blood count checkup

A blood test with 10 values for blood count and immunity — haemoglobin, haematocrit, white cells with differential, platelets, MCV, MCH, MCHC, CRP and ESR — for insight into blood and inflammation.

Hemoglobin Hematocrit Leukocytes (WBC) Leukocyte Differential Platelets (Thrombocytes) MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration) CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Erythrocytes (RBC) Ferritin
€109,-
General checkup

General checkup

A broad blood test covering 18 values across liver, kidneys, thyroid, heart, vitamins and blood count.

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Total Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Glucose (Fasting) Vitamin D (25-OH) Vitamin B12 Ferritin Hemoglobin Leukocytes (WBC) Platelets (Thrombocytes) CRP (C-Reactive Protein) MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio Non-HDL Cholesterol LDL/HDL Ratio
€199,-

Medical reviewer

Medical standards

Dr. Naimi oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments.

Medical policy
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Leukocytes (WBC)

€9,-