The symptoms of high white blood cells (also known as leukocytosis) can vary, but often stem from the underlying cause triggering the increase. A high white blood cell count is a stress response from the immune system. Some common symptoms include:
- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless.
- Anemia: A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor or weariness.
- Frequent infections: Increased susceptibility to infections, or infections that are more severe or prolonged.
In essence, leukocytosis itself may not directly cause specific symptoms, but rather, the symptoms arise from the body's response to the underlying condition causing the elevated white blood cell count.
