Appearance
This post refers to the overall count, not morphology.
Neutrophils make up 50–70% of all white blood cells.
Changes in count are evaluated over several fields of view.
Increased Neutrophils (Neutrophilia)
Causes:
A) Acute Bacterial Infection
Most common and clinically important:
- Pneumonia
- UTI
- Sinusitis
- Appendicitis
- Skin infections
B) Inflammation
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- IBD
- Injury
- Post-surgical states
C) Stress Response
Acute adrenaline response increases neutrophils.
D) Medications
- Corticosteroids
- Lithium
E) Smoking / Obesity / Metabolic Syndrome
F) Haematological Disorders
Rare: CML, polycythaemia vera.
Decreased Neutrophils (Neutropenia)
Causes:
A) Viral Infections
Most common cause:
- EBV
- CMV
- Influenza
- Hepatitis viruses
B) Autoimmune Causes
- Lupus
- Sjögren’s
- RA
C) Bone Marrow Suppression
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Toxic exposure
D) Nutritional Deficiencies
B12, folate, copper.
E) Severe Chronic Stress / Adrenal Fatigue
F) Overwhelming Infection
The marrow cannot keep up (late-stage sepsis).
Functional Interpretation
An increased or decreased count always reflects:
- Immune load
- Infection or inflammation
- Terrain strain
- Stress physiology
- Bone marrow function
This post acts as a “summary” for the entire neutrophil module.
Interventions
(Depending on direction of change)
For Neutrophilia
- Immune support (Immucil)
- Anti-inflammatory support (omega-3, curcumin, quercetin)
- Hydration
- Identify infection source
For Neutropenia
- B12/folate repletion
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Glutathione
- Immune restoration
- Reduce toxic load
Further Investigations
Bone marrow function (if severe or persistent)
FBC + ESR
CRP
Blood culture (if infection suspected)
Viral panel
Autoimmune markers
Liver function
Thyroid panel
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