Key takeaways
- Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that can move into the walls of your veins and tissues to respond to antigens (foreign substances in the body).
- Doctors may order a blood test called an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to measure the levels of neutrophils in your body.
- Unusual neutrophil levels may indicate certain conditions, such as immune system dysfunction, infections, stress, or cancer.
Your neutrophil level can indicate a variety of issues, not all of which are serious or chronic. Your doctor can help you understand the test results and figure out the best next steps.
Neutrophils are one of five types of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the body, which are a key part of the immune system. The immune system is made up of tissues, organs, and cells. As part of this complex system, white blood cells patrol your bloodstream and lymphatic system.
When you’re sick or have a minor injury, antigens — substances that your body sees as foreign — call your immune system into action.
Examples of antigens include:
- bacteria
- viruses
- fungi
- poisons
- cancer cells
White blood cells produce chemicals that fight antigens by going to the source of the infection or inflammation.
Neutrophils are important because they’re the first line of defense. They can
Neutrophils are the most plentiful type of white blood cell, making up around 60% of your white blood cells.
An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) can provide your doctor with important clues about your health. Healthcare professionals typically order an ANC as part of a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, which is a general test of your cell counts.
Your doctor may order an ANC:
- to screen for certain conditions
- to help diagnose a condition
- to monitor your status if you have an existing condition or if you’re undergoing chemotherapy
If your ANC results are abnormal, your doctor will likely want to repeat the blood test multiple times over a period of weeks. This way, they can monitor for changes in your neutrophil count.
What to expect
For the ANC test, a healthcare professional will draw a small amount of blood, usually from a vein in your arm. This will happen at your doctor’s office or in a lab.
Then, they will send the blood for analysis in a laboratory, and the lab will send the results to your doctor.
Certain conditions can affect the results of your blood test. Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, or if you’ve had any of the following:
- a recent infection
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- corticosteroid therapy
- recent surgery
- anxiety
- HIV
The following table lays out approximate normal, low, and high counts of neutrophils for adults, measured in neutrophils per microliter (neutrophils/mcL).
| Normal neutrophil range | Low neutrophil count (neutropenia) | High neutrophil count (neutrophilia) |
| usually between | fewer than 1,500 neutrophils/mcL | more than 7,700 neutrophils/mcL |
Remember that these are just approximate; what one lab defines as a high or low neutrophil count may be different from another lab.
Your doctor will explain your test results. Results can vary from lab to lab, and may also be different depending on:
- your age
- your sex assigned at birth
- how high above sea level you live
- what instruments were in blood sample evaluation
Having a high percentage of neutrophils in your blood is called neutrophilia. Neutrophilia may point to various underlying conditions and factors, including:
- an infection, often bacterial
- noninfectious inflammation
- injury
- surgery
- tobacco use
- high stress level
- high levels of physical activity
- steroid use
- heart attack
- chronic myeloid leukemia
Neutropenia is the term for low neutrophil levels. Low neutrophil counts are often associated with certain medications, including those used for chemotherapy, but they also can be a sign of other factors or conditions, including:
- suppressed immune system
- bone marrow failure
- aplastic anemia
- febrile neutropenia, which is a medical emergency
- congenital disorders, such as Kostmann syndrome and cyclic neutropenia
- hepatitis A, B, or C
- HIV or AIDS
- sepsis
- autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis
- leukemia
- myelodysplastic syndromes
Your infection risk increases if your neutrophil count drops below 1500 neutrophils/mcL. Very low neutrophil counts can lead to life threatening infections because your body is unable to respond to an antigen as it should.
If your neutrophil counts are high, it can mean you have an infection or are under a lot of stress. It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions.
Neutropenia, or a low neutrophil count, can be temporary or chronic. It may also be a sign of other conditions and diseases, and it places you at greater risk for developing more serious infections.
If unusual neutrophil counts are due to an underlying condition, your outlook and treatment will vary depending on that condition.
Connect with a specialist
If a primary care doctor isn’t able to immediately identify an underlying condition, they may recommend consulting a hematologist (blood disorder specialist) for further testing and treatment.
Try Healthline’s FindCare tool to locate a hematologist in your area today.
If your doctor orders a CBC with differential or an ANC screen, you may find it useful to ask the following questions:
- Why are you ordering this test?
- Are you trying to confirm or eliminate a specific condition?
- Is there anything special I should do to prepare for the test?
- How soon will I get the results?
- Will you, or someone else, give me the results and explain them to me?
- If the test results are normal, what will the next steps be?
- If the test results are abnormal, what will the next steps be?
- What self-care steps should I take while waiting for the results?
Your neutrophil counts can say a lot about your health. Unusual levels may indicate a wide variety of conditions — some are minor and temporary, while others may be severe and chronic.
If your doctor has ordered an ANC test, ask them about how to prepare for the test and when you’ll get your results. Once you get your results, your doctor can help you understand them and lay out possible next steps.