White blood cells significantly elevated due to stress?
May 26, 2015 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med Ralf von Seckendorff
Hello,
I have a leukocyte count of 18.4 (neutrophilic granulocytes 78 and 14,280 in the differential blood count, others barely elevated or well below, e.g. lymphocytes at 15). Vitamin D is too low at 23, it was even only 8 months before.
Before the blood draw, I had the worst four days in years, stress like never before. I am a smoker and currently taking 15 mg of cortisone daily for weeks (due to asthma).
My only complaints are really a high pulse, even at rest. It fluctuates from 70 to 120 beats/min. Blood pressure is stable, slightly low. X-rays of the jaw areas and sinuses were normal.
Could the severe multi-day exceptional situation, combined with cortisone and smoking, be causing the leukocytes to be alarmed? Besides circulatory problems and sleep problems, nothing else...
Dear inquirer,
yes, the combination of high stress, smoking, and especially cortisone in the mentioned dosage can temporarily increase the leukocytes to this extent.
However, this should be monitored and kept in check over time to avoid overlooking other causes such as inflammation.
It is also recommended to include CRP and ESR as inflammation markers, if they are normal, it indicates against inflammation or other causes. If they are elevated and you have other symptoms, targeted further diagnostics should be performed (depending on the symptoms), as it cannot be solely explained by stress, smoking, and cortisone (CRP may be slightly elevated, but not significantly).
As for the high pulse rate, this could also be caused by stress, however, a blood test should be done to rule out conditions such as hyperthyroidism, and if necessary, an ECG and (depending on your age) further cardiological investigation should be carried out if the situation does not improve.
I wish you all the best and hope that less stressful times will follow. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
Kind regards.
