Clinical Significance

White Blood Cell Count (WBC) - Most commonly utilized test to monitor characteristic response to infection. Diagnostically useful for diseases such as leukemia, leukocyte disorders, as well as monitoring therapy of these diseases.

Preferred Specimen(s)
Whole blood from a full EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume
Microtainer 500 uL
1 mL whole blood from an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Collection Instructions

Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect EDTA (lavender-top) tube last. Mix by gently inverting 8 times. Traumatic draw can introduce thromboplastin and trap WBC and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap WBC and platelets.

Transport Container
EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Clotted

Methodology
Electronic Cell Sizing/Counting/Cytometry/Microscopy

Reference Range(s)
≤2 Weeks    9.0-30.0 Thousand/µL
3 Months    5.0-19.5 Thousand/µL
1 Year    6.0-17.5 Thousand/µL
2 Years    6.0-17.0 Thousand/µL
6 Years    5.0-16.0 Thousand/µL
12 Years    4.5-13.5 Thousand/µL
18 Years    4.5-13.0 Thousand/µL
>18 Years     3.8-10.8 Thousand/µL

Alternative Name(s)
WBC,Leukocyte Count