All tests · Complete Blood Count (CBC) · White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

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What causes a low White Blood Cell Count (WBC)?

Normal range 4.5-11 10³/µL (4.5-11 10⁹/L SI). Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA). See the full White Blood Cell Count (WBC) reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.

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Common causes of a low White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

  • Bone marrow suppression or chemotherapy
  • Overwhelming sepsis
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Autoimmune destruction

Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high White Blood Cell Count (WBC).

What is the normal range for White Blood Cell Count (WBC)?

The standard teaching reference range for White Blood Cell Count (WBC) is 4.5-11 10³/µL in conventional units, or 4.5-11 10⁹/L in SI units. This value is measured in whole blood (edta).

White Blood Cell Count (WBC) reference range and specimen details
SpecimenWhole blood (EDTA)
Conventional range4.5-11 10³/µL
SI range4.5-11 10⁹/L
Critical value< 2.0 or > 30.0 × 10⁹/L (severe neutropenia or marked leukocytosis)
PanelComplete Blood Count (CBC)

Full details, including nursing considerations, on the White Blood Cell Count (WBC) normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.

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