Total White Blood Cell Count (Serum/plasma Substance Concentration)
This test measures the total amount of white blood cells in a blood sample. White blood cells help your body fight infections and diseases.
["A WBC count helps doctors assess your immune system health and detect infections or other conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 61286-1
- Short code
- White mulberry IgE/IgE total %
- Synonyms
- White mulberry IgE/IgE total %
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why It’s Done
Doctors may order a white blood cell count to check for signs of infection, inflammation, immune disorders, or other health issues. It’s often part of routine blood tests or used to monitor conditions like leukemia, autoimmune diseases, or chronic illnesses.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed. You may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if your blood is drawn from a vein, but this depends on your doctor’s instructions. Avoid strenuous activity or medications that could affect results.
How the Test Works
A small blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab where machines analyze the different types of white blood cells. The test measures the total count of these cells, not their individual types.
What the Results Mean
Results are typically reported as a total count (often in thousands of cells per microliter). High or low counts can signal underlying health concerns, but your doctor will interpret results in the context of your medical history and symptoms.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated white blood cell counts may indicate infections, stress, inflammation, or certain cancers. Low counts can suggest immune deficiencies, bone marrow disorders, or severe infections. Your doctor will use these results alongside other tests to guide diagnosis and treatment.
Short name
WBC Total
Frequently asked questions
What causes a high white blood cell count?
What causes a low white blood cell count?
Do I need to do anything special after the test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy