Leukocytes, your white blood cells, come from your bone marrow and protect your body against infection by attacking bacteria, fungi and viruses.
The NVKC names infection, leukaemia, an injury and stress as causes of a high count, and chemotherapy, radiation and disorders of your immune system as causes of a low count. You only measure how many leukocytes you have with a blood test.
Leukocytes are counted in billions per litre (× 10^9/l); Star-SHL keeps 4.3 to 10.0 from age 18, Certe 4.0 to 10.0 from age 18, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U 4.0 to 10.0 above age 15. According to a 2015 US review, excess weight is one of the non-malignant causes of a raised leukocyte count.
Doctor's Assessment Included
Leukocytes are the white blood cells that protect the body against infection. Star-SHL uses 4.3 to 10.0 × 10^9/l from age 18, Certe 4.0 to 10.0 from age 18, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U 4.0 to 10.0 above age 15.
See the value that applies to you:
Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.
Enter your age — this range changes with age.
This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.
Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
Check your own value| Laboratory | Group | Reference value (10^9/l) | Relative scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star-shl | · Everyone · 18–110 years | 4.3–10.0 10^9/l |
4.3 10
|
| Unilabs | · Everyone · 15 years and older | 4–10 10^9/l |
4 10
|
| Certe | · Male · 18 years and older | 4–10 10*9/L |
4 10
|
| Certe | · Female · 18 years and older | 4–10 10*9/L |
4 10
|
| Diagnostiek voor U | · Everyone · 16 years and older | 4–10 /nL |
4 10
|
Source: Star-shl
Source: Unilabs
Source: Certe
Source: Diagnostiek voor U
Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.
A leukocyte count counts your white blood cells per litre of blood, in billions (× 10^9/l). Neutrophils are one kind of white blood cell, and a shortage of neutrophils is called neutropenia.
According to the NVKC, your leukocytes show whether your immune system is in order. A 2015 US review names excess weight together with smoking, some medicines, the absence of the spleen and chronic inflammatory diseases as non-malignant causes of a raised count.
According to the NVKC, your leukocytes are often counted within a complete blood count, to detect inflammation or leukaemia or to see whether your immune system works well.
A low leukocyte count is called leukopenia; a shortage of neutrophils, one kind of white blood cell, is called neutropenia and begins below 1,500 per microlitre (µL) in adults and children older than 1 year, according to a 2025 US review. Among the acquired causes, that review names infections, medicines and a shortage of vitamin B12, folate or copper.
According to that review, the picture with a shortage of neutrophils ranges from no symptoms to a serious illness that needs admission.
A raised leukocyte count can go with excess weight, but a 2015 US review names fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, easy bruising and bleeding as signs that might suggest a malignant cause. With such symptoms you have your count assessed by a doctor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and can lower the white cell count.
Radiation
The white cell count can fall after radiation.
Immune system disorders
A low white cell count points to an immune system that works less well, as in serious infectious diseases such as HIV.
Infection
White blood cells attack bacteria, fungi and viruses, and during an infection their number is often raised.
Leukaemia
In leukaemia white blood cells are produced without restraint.
Injury
The white cell count can rise after an injury.
Stress
Stress can also raise the white cell count.
A 2025 US review writes that acquired neutropenia, a shortage of neutrophils (one kind of leukocyte) that is not inherited, is treated by addressing the underlying cause. That review calls neutropenia with fever, at fewer than 500 neutrophils per microlitre (µL), an emergency in cancer care that needs urgent assessment.
Yes, excess weight can raise the leukocyte count: a 2015 US review counts it among the non-malignant causes of leukocytosis, a raised white blood cell count.
A shortage of vitamin B12, folate or copper can give a low count of neutrophils, one kind of leukocyte, according to a 2025 US review.
These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.
Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in one test — a broad look at your blood.
Complete blood count, iron status, vitamin B12 and vitamin D in one panel — eating a lot less also means fewer nutrients coming in.
Medical reviewer
Dr. Naimi oversees the medical standards behind our content and assessments.
Medical policyDoctor's Assessment Included
Every result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
Leukocytes (WBC)
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