What happens if monocytes count is low

The main causes of high monocytes monocytosis are chronic inflammation and infections. Symptoms depend on the cause and may include fever, pain, and swelling. In monocytopenia, the number of monocytes circulating in the blood is decreased to less than 0. Monocytopenia itself does not appear to produce symptoms, and patients usually only show symptoms related to an associated condition. Such symptoms may include fatigue and fever [ 20 , 57 ].

Autoimmune diseases, HIV, burns, and many other conditions and therapies are associated with reduced monocyte count; symptoms depend on the underlying cause. Monocytes are the largest of the white blood cells. They kill microbes, recycle old cells, and boost immunity. People with monocyte levels within the normal range 0.

The most common causes of high monocytes monocytosis are chronic infections and inflammation. In turn, high monocytes can worsen inflammation and clog your blood vessels. Many health conditions can also cause low monocyte levels monocytopenia , including autoimmune diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

Having low monocytes may reduce your risk of heart disease but makes you more prone to infections and blood disorders. Have you recently had your monocyte count tested?

Want to learn about what your results mean? Check out these posts:. The Front Lines of Your Immunity. High Levels of Monocytes Monocytosis. Conditions Associated with Monocytosis. Low Levels of Monocytes Monocytopenia. Conditions Associated with Monocytopenia. Joe Cohen won the genetic lottery of bad genes. A differential blood test enables a doctor to determine how many white blood cells are in the body. There are five types of white blood cell, and the test also shows how many of each type are present.

In this article, learn more about how doctors use the differential blood test and how they interpret its results. They may be looking for signs of an acute illness, such as the flu or a urinary tract infection UTI. Or, they may be checking for a chronic condition, such as an autoimmune disorder or one that affects the bone marrow.

The bone marrow is responsible for producing white blood cells, so changes in white blood cell counts can indicate how well the bone marrow is functioning. While a differential blood test can indicate problems with the white blood cells, it will not be the only test that doctors use to make a diagnosis.

To perform the test, a nurse or medical professional draws a blood sample from a vein in the arm or finger. When testing an infant, a doctor will draw blood from the heel. When a person receives their differential blood test results, they should also get a reference range of normal values from the laboratory.

Looking at this reference range can help a person to tell if their white blood cell levels are low, normal, or high. Some labs give a percentage of the cells that are present. While different labs have different ranges, the following is an example of a normal range :.

Other labs may give the number of each type of white blood cell present. Labs usually express these figures in the thousands. Normal values for neutrophils are typically between 2, and 6, cells. A person with a very low neutrophil count will have fewer than 1, of these cells. Monocytopenia itself does not appear to produce symptoms, and patients usually only show symptoms related to an associated condition.

Such symptoms may include fatigue and fever [ 1 , 2 ]. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Out of all white blood cells, monocyte count has the strongest relationship with rates of cardiovascular disease in people with no symptoms. Lower levels of monocytes are associated with lower cardiovascular risk [ 15 ].

Monocytopenia is more specifically associated with the MonoMAC syndrome: increased susceptibility to mycobacterial, fungal, and human papillomavirus HPV infections [ 6 , 1 ]. Monocytopenia is associated with blood disorders such as myelodysplasia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and lymphomas. If you are worried about low monocyte levels and your risk of these blood disorders, talk to your doctor about additional available tests [ 16 ].

Patients with primary immunodeficiency have low monocyte levels and are susceptible to severe, persistent human papillomavirus HPV infections that may cause cervical cancer. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor about strategies for cervical cancer prevention, especially if you have not been vaccinated against HPV [ 17 , 18 ].

This reduction persisted for about 24 hours. Subsequently, monocyte levels return to normal 24 to 72 hours after treatment [ 19 ]. According to one study, estrogen and possibly also progesterone decreases monocyte count by preventing monocytes from reproducing.

This mechanism could explain why cell-mediated immunity appears to drop during pregnancy [ 20 ]. Infliximab kills monocytes, which may help reduce inflammation in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases [ 24 ]. Remember, low monocyte levels are usually a sign of a weak immune system. Your first line of defense and the first strategy to boost your immune system is to live a healthy lifestyle.

The following good-health guidelines are still the most recommended strategies for improving your immune health [ 25 ]:. In a study of rats with protein deficiency, vitamin B12 supplementation resulted in increased white blood cell count, including monocytes. However, supplementation with vitamin B12 did not change white blood cell count in rats that ate normal amounts of protein [ 26 ].