Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsANC TestLow ANCHigh ANCTreatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
ANC Test
Low ANC
High ANC
Treatments
An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a laboratory test that measures the amount of a specificwhite blood cell—called aneutrophil—in a sample of blood. In a healthy adult, 2,500 to 7,000 is generally considered a normal range of absolute neutrophils.
Neutrophils are an important part of the immune system, and they may increase or decrease when a person has a disease or infection.If someone’s ANC is outside the normal range, their healthcare provider may do follow-up tests to determine the cause.
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Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
This number is then compared to a reference range of values that varies based on a person’s age and other factors. (For an average healthy adult, an ANC of 2,500 to 7,000 cells/mcL is generally considered a normal range.) The test doesn’t explain why a neutrophil count is high or low.
The ANC is part of a common blood test called acomplete blood count (CBC)that evaluates the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.It is used to assess a person’s general health, as well as potential infection or illness.
What Does It Mean When Absolute Neutrophils Are Low?
If absolute neutrophils are low, a person is at risk for an infection.An ANC less than 2,500 cells/mcL is considered low and referred to asneutropenia.
There is an important exception: A low neutrophil count does not always indicate a higher infection risk in people of African descent.In the U.S., about 4.5% of Black people have neutropenia-level counts compared with 0.8% of White people. Researchers are developing an appropriate reference range to reflect this difference.
The causes of low absolute neutrophils fall into categories that include:
Symptoms
A person won’t necessarily have symptoms of neutropenia until they develop a disease or infection as a result of it. Depending on the underlying condition, this may involve:
What Does It Mean When Absolute Neutrophils Are High?
An absolute neutrophil count over 7,000 cells/mcL is considered high and is calledneutrophilia.It means that an inflammatory process is going on in the body, and the immune system is producing more neutrophils to combat it. An ANC over 11,000 is a more concerning level and a strong indication that the body is fighting a disease or infection.
High neutrophil counts sometimes occur with conditions like allergies, arthritis, or tissue wounds (such as burns.)Some medications, including corticosteroids, also can cause neutrophils to rise.
Common causes of neutrophilia include:
Less prevalent causes include:
It’s the diseases or conditions that cause neutrophilia that can manifest with symptoms. They typically include signs of infection, such as:
If you have a low or high neutrophil count, the first course of treatment is to resolve the underlying cause. This may include:
Since some causes of neutropenia may be diet-related, a healthcare provider may also recommend lifestyle changes to help raise a person’s neutrophil count.
Summary
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that help your body fight infection. An ANC test measures the number of neutrophils in a person’s blood. In most healthy people, more than 50% of white blood cells are neutrophils.
Absolute neutrophils might be low or high for various reasons, including an infection, some inflammatory diseases, leukemia, lymphoma, and certain medications. Your healthcare provider will focus on the underlying cause if treatment is needed.
14 Sources
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