A critical range for a White Blood Cell (WBC) count indicates values that are significantly outside the normal range and require immediate medical attention. According to the provided reference from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Pathology Services, the critical ranges for WBC count are as follows:
Critical WBC Count Ranges
| Test | Critical Low Value | Critical High Value |
|---|---|---|
| WBC (blood) | ≤1,000 /mm3 | ≥50,000 /mm3 |
This table outlines that a critically low WBC count is ≤1,000 /mm3, and a critically high WBC count is ≥50,000 /mm3.
These values signify a severe departure from the typical range and can suggest serious underlying health issues. For instance:
-
A critically low WBC count (≤1,000 /mm3): This can indicate severe immunosuppression, which might be due to conditions like bone marrow failure, severe infections, or the effects of chemotherapy. This puts the patient at very high risk of infections.
-
A critically high WBC count (≥50,000 /mm3): This can suggest serious conditions like severe infections, acute leukemia, or other hematological malignancies. It can also be associated with inflammatory conditions.
It is important to understand that these critical values are specific to the UCI pathology lab referenced, and other labs may have slightly different ranges. However, the general principle is that results outside of these ranges are concerning and require immediate medical attention.
