What to do if monocytes are elevated? Causes and consequences

Basic functions of monocytes

Increased level of monocytes in the blood

Monocytes are single-celled mature leukocytes, formed in the bone marrow, their life expectancy does not exceed three days. In the bloodstream they reach their most active state. Here they grow, function, and after about 70 hours they degenerate into macrophages, after which they penetrate into nearby tissues.

Protective and cleansing – this is their main function. Moving along the blood stream, they find foreign bodies such as cancer cells, infections, viruses, parasites and try to destroy them. To do this, the cell gets close to the detected problem, envelops it with its body, neutralizes it and removes it from the body. In the same way, monocytes destroy bacteria, dead cells and other substances that pollute the human body.

Macrophages act on the same principle, but they take longer to destroy harmful cells.

Monocytes also take part in the synthesis of interferon, which makes cells immune to the virus, thereby enhancing the body’s protective functions.

Thus, an increase in the content of monocytes means that there is a disease that the body is fighting hard against by increasing protective cells.

Carrying out analysis

It is possible to determine whether a child has low monocytes or not only by conducting a laboratory full-type blood test. Blood is drawn from a finger.

To ensure that the results correspond to reality, you must adhere to some rules:

• Monocytes are elevated in an adult: what does this mean, and how to diagnose the increase?

• you need to take tests on an empty stomach;
• one day before donating blood, you should stop taking medications, if possible;
• physical and emotional stress should be excluded;
• At the time of taking the tests, it is necessary that the person is in a calm emotional state.

If it is discovered that the monocytes in the blood of a child or adult are too low, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination and repeat the test to rule out an error.

How is the level of monocytes in the blood determined?

In order to determine the number of monocytes contained in the blood, it is enough to take a general blood test. Monocytes are a type of leukocyte, calculated by a laboratory assistant using a special leukocyte formula. There are two indicators of monocytes:

1. Absolute quantity

   – designated as “monocytes abs” or “monocytes mono”, the average number of cells per 1 μl (microliter) is taken into account.

2. Relative quantity

   – designated as “value” ppm/l, calculated as a percentage

When is it necessary to see a doctor and take an OAC test?

There are no specific signs indicating that monocytes are elevated. But at the same time, monocytosis is accompanied by other diseases, the symptoms of which can indirectly suggest changes in the number of leukocytes.

You should consult a doctor and get tested if:

• Decreased or complete loss of appetite.
• Increased fatigue and causeless weakness.
• Aversion to meat dishes.
• Sudden weight loss.
• Insomnia and drowsiness.
• Irritation, apathy, nervous breakdowns.
• Increased psycho-emotional excitability.
• Loud motility of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Constant feeling of anxiety.
• Unexplained pain in the abdomen.
• Panic attacks.
• The appearance of foamy stools.
• Stool disorders.
• The appearance of pain in joints and muscles.
• Bloody impurities in the stool.
• The appearance of acne on the mucous membranes.
• Skin rashes.
• The presence of a long dry cough with bloody sputum.
• Rashes and redness on the genitals, as well as in case of heavy discharge from the genital tract.
• Discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse.

Deviations and normal values

In the period from birth to the age of 16 years, the norms of monocytes in the blood change. Absolute values ​​generally decrease, in contrast to relative values, which up to 16 years of age can either decrease or increase.

Absolute indicators from birth to 16 years should decrease, initially ranging from 1.9-2.4 million/l, ultimately decreasing to 0.004-0.08 million/l

A reduced level of monocytes in the blood is called monocytopenia, an increased level is called monocytosis.

The focus of inflammation and an increased level of monocytes in the transcript will be designated as mono. Absolute monocytosis is an increase in the absolute number of monocytes.

The percentage change in monocytes relative to the total number of leukocytes is called relative monocytosis. From time to time, this indicator may increase as a percentage for various reasons, for example, a very hearty breakfast. That is why minor deviations from the norm have no diagnostic value.

But an increase in white cells in the range of 13-17% may indicate a focus of inflammation, and an indicator of 18-24% indicates a serious infectious-inflammatory process.

Causes of increased monocytes

Absolute monocytosis can develop in an adult in the following cases:

• For chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colic, inflammation of the small intestine.
• Severe chronic diseases: rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, lupus erythematosus.
• Poisoning with substances containing: phosphorus, chlorine or their compounds.
• Infections with infectious diseases: brucellosis, syphilis, salmonellosis, tuberculosis, chickenpox, dysentery, rubella, influenza, whooping cough.
• Rheumatological diseases.
• Rheumatism, endocarditis.
• Blood diseases: chronic myeloid leukemia, osteomyelofibrosis, polycythemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, acute leukemia.
• The development of sepsis or the presence of purulent foci.
• Penetration of parasites and viruses into the body.
• Injury
• Malignant neoplasms of the lymphatic system: lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Development of fungal diseases.

Also, an excess of the norm of monocytes is observed in patients during the postoperative period and during the recovery period after infectious diseases. Lack of sleep, stress, a rich meal before taking the test, and excessive physical activity can cause an increase in monocytes. Therefore, it is necessary to take this data into account when taking the OAC.

In men

There are no specific reasons for increasing the level of monocytes in men. Men who often experience stress, work a lot, and work is closely related to mental stress and excessive nerves can suffer from monocytosis.

Among women

Elevated monocytes in a woman’s body indicate the presence of infectious diseases, as well as various inflammatory processes. The norms of leukocyte deviation do not depend on gender, however, in women, unlike men, monocytes can increase due to the characteristics of the reproductive system: during menstruation or ovulation, this is associated with a hormonal surge.

In pregnant women

During pregnancy and lactation, the level of leukocytes is especially important for a woman’s body. This is due to the fact that now the protective function must be performed not only for the matter, but also for the fetus inside it, and after the baby is born, they help the woman regain strength faster. During pregnancy, a restructuring of the immune and endocrine systems occurs in a woman’s body, and hormonal levels often change, so the ratio of all types of leukocytes changes.

The level of lower monocytes in the first trimester of pregnancy drops to 1%. But after just a few weeks it increases again to 3%, this figure remains until the last trimester, in which, due to changes in hormonal levels in connection with the body’s preparation for childbirth, the level of monocytes may increase. Immediately after childbirth, the level drops, but later rises again, which means that the body has begun to recover after childbirth.

In children

The normal levels of monocytes in the blood of children are higher than those of adults; the highest levels are observed in newborns. However, there is nothing to worry about if the age norms are not exceeded or the deviation level is not higher than 10%. An increase in this indicator may indicate the presence of infectious or viral diseases or infection with helminths. Often the reason for an increase in leukocyte levels can be the replacement of baby teeth with molars, this is associated with the formation of new tissues.

Also, an increase in monocytes may be associated with hereditary factors, the postoperative period and the presence of more severe diseases, for example, leukemia. It is worth noting that children often experience a low level of leukocytes (monocytopenia) than monocytosis; this is more dangerous and may indicate exhaustion of the body and weak resistance to harmful factors.

Treatment

As is already clear, no one treats low monocytes. Therapy should not be aimed at increasing the volume of these particles, but at eliminating the reason why the baby’s body does not resist the external threat as it should. If this cause is an independent diagnosis (the development of sepsis, leukemia, etc.), then a reduced level of this element will help to identify it in time and, thus, the treatment will be successful.

When it comes to the consequences of something that arose earlier, the doctor’s task should be aimed at helping the patient return to normal as quickly as possible. Sometimes for this it is enough just to prescribe the right diet along with general recommendations for adjusting your lifestyle. In more difficult situations, drug therapy may be required (or, conversely, urgent withdrawal of medications that were previously prescribed), and sometimes surgical intervention is necessary.

Why is an increase in monocytes dangerous?

An increase in monocytes in the body in most cases indicates the presence of pathology. When an infectious disease appears, the body begins a stubborn fight against it by additionally producing white cells to actively fight the disease. It seems that the more monocytes, the better, because this way you can quickly cope with the disease. In fact, there is a downside, since an excessive amount of them can itself provoke inflammation.

Large accumulations of white bodies in the vessels can:

• Disrupt blood flow.
• Strengthen atherosclerosis.
• Reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
• Cause damage to the vessel wall.

Symptoms of decreased monocytes in patients with aplastic anemia

With aplastic anemia, patients experience a sharp depression of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow, accompanied by a powerful inhibition or complete cessation of blood cell growth processes.

The analyzes note a sharp decrease in the number of leukocyte and platelet cells, as well as severe anemia.

Symptoms of the disease are manifested by severe dizziness, a pronounced decrease in performance, pallor and yellowness of the skin, increased heart rate, the appearance of a heart murmur, heart rhythm disturbances, severe shortness of breath, poor exercise tolerance, hemorrhagic symptoms (the appearance of petechiae, bleeding, an increase in the volume and duration of menstrual periods). bleeding, prolongation of bleeding time from scratches and wounds, etc.).

There is also a sharp suppression of immunity and an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases (usually of fungal or bacterial origin).