Monocyte blood test: what is it and normal values
Within what is usually known a routine blood test (that is, one that our general practitioner recommends us to do every so often, commonly once a year or in less time if there is some kind of pathology or disease that so advises ), the monocyte examination it is one of the parameters that is included in it.
Regarding your own analysis or examination, we usually find it within the section dedicated to the study of both white blood cells and red blood cells (hemogram), since, specifically, It is a variety of white blood cells that we locate in the blood circulation.
Unlike other types of leukocytes, its size is much greater. That is to say, they consist of a type of white blood cell that we find in the blood.
What are monocytes and what are their functions in the body?
As we told you, monocytes are a type of white blood cell, which we therefore find present in the blood circulation. The white blood cells They are part of the immune system of our body, and among other important functions, help the body to fight infections and other diseases.
Monocytes differ from other white blood cells such as granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) and lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) in size, because they stand out precisely because they are larger than normal leukocytes.
They are formed in the bone marrow, where they tend to live for 3 to 4 days, until finally they end up concentrating in the blood tissues and in certain organs of the body.
In the particular case of monocytes, being part of the immune system, They are responsible for helping the body to eliminate foreign microorganisms, as well as dead cells. Therefore, when performing an examination of monocytes in blood, the most common is that its value varies depending on how the defenses of our body are located.
Normal values of monocytes in blood
As we saw on a previous occasion when we talked to you about the normal values of white blood cells, in the particular case of monocytes Its normal value is between 200 and 800 / μL, in adults. In babies, however, it can vary between 400 and 3100 / μL.
Depending on the laboratory that performed the blood analysis, it is possible that the measurement form of the monocytes varies. Thus, it is possible to find us normal monocyte values of between 1000 to 4500 cells per ml.
Causes of abnormal monocyte blood values
Depending on the levels found in the blood test, we may find the high monocytes or low. Here we explain what are its most common causes:
- Causes of high monocytes:It is common for monocytes to appear elevated when they have recently passed or are passing an infection caused by viruses or parasites. It is an indication that our immune system is fighting or has struggled with an infection. In much less common circumstances, the high values of monocytes in blood could be due to the existence of tumors or leukemias, which is a type of cancer that affects the organs that produce blood, due to the excessive proliferation of white blood cells or leukocytes, either in the blood or in the bone marrow.
- Causes of low monocytes:Known medically with the name of monocytopenia, it is a condition that arises when monocyte values are low from what is considered normal. It is common that it does not usually cause symptoms, although this depends on the pathology or disease that is causing its decline. For example, the most common tends to be tuberculosis, HIV or deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folate. In addition, also medical therapies such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy can influence.
