It is necessary to take care of health and avoid high monocytes. These white blood cells that make up our body are a protective shield; hence it is essential to keep them at average value, neither too high nor too low. In this way, it will fulfill its function.
You should know that they rise due to infections. However, that is not the only reason. Now, how does an increase in monocytes affect health, and how can it be detected?
This article will explain the symptoms of this condition and, of course, the treatments to regulate it.
What are monocytes, and what is their function?
Monocytes are cells that come from the immune system, which fight against certain infections, helping leukocytes destroy damaged tissues. In addition, they eliminate cancer cells. These serve as a shield against foreign substances that cause disease.
Sometimes monocytes report a very low or very high level, this indicates that the immune system is deficient so that it will be vulnerable to viruses and bacteria.
What are the average values for monocytes in the blood?
It is important to note that monocytes must be between 4 to 8% of the total blood cells
In such a way, the blood test must report a quantity of 300 to 900 monocytes per microliter (cubic millimeter) of blood to be classified as the average value range.
When the value exceeds 900, it is very high, and even if there are no specific symptoms, it is necessary to lower them by attacking the cause of its elevation.
What happens when monocytes are elevated?
Very high levels of monocytes, better known as lymphocytic leukocytosis, exceed the standard estimate. However, they can be a sign of a chronic type of infection. It can also indicate that there is an autoimmune or blood disorder.
Generally, this white blood cell disorder does not present any symptoms. However, it is possible to give problems due to other conditions that have developed due to the elevation of the white blood cells.
Causes of Elevated Monocytes
Although there is no group of symptoms, the causes of an increase in monocytes are related to the following pathologies:
- Infectious diseases. Even when it comes to temporary infections, this is the most common cause. Among them, we can highlight malaria, tuberculosis, brucellosis, and syphilis.
- Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It can be classified as the second frequent cause, among which systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis can develop.
- Hematological diseases. These types of conditions are leukemia Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Blood disorders This happens when neoplastic processes occur, which affect cell growth, causing a higher concentration of monocytes.
Although this table of causes can scare any patient, you must know that its elevation is generally due to infections. These are usually transitory and do not seriously affect health.
Treatments to control elevated monocytes in the blood
Just as there is no single set of symptoms to detect elevated monocytes, except for a blood test; Likewise, there are no treatments for high blood monocytes.
Despite this, some treatments combat the condition’s cause and can alleviate the symptoms.
When there is an elevation of the values, you should attack the disease. It will be necessary to go to the doctor because he is the indicated specialist to determine the best way to overcome the condition.
One of the most effective treatments to combat or prevent inflammatory conditions is exercise, as pointed out by the Medical Journal of Costa Rica and Central America.
Although we cannot answer how to lower high monocytes simply, we can point out that this disorder is usually linked to infections, some of which are of the transient type.
Even so, when carrying out a complete hematology exam, it will be necessary to pay attention to these values so that you can know your state of health and even consult your trusted doctor about the most appropriate treatment.