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<section begin="physiology" /><section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Leukocytes''', also called '''white blod cells''' (WBCs), are a population of cells in the blood responsible for immune response, inflammation, and microbe defence. These are always present in the blood, with their numbers increasing in response to infection or inflammation. They are a major part of the immune system.<section end="clinical biochemistry" />
<section begin="physiology" /><section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Leukocytes''', also called '''white blod cells''' (WBCs), are a population of cells in the blood responsible for immune response, inflammation, and microbe defence. These are always present in the blood, with their numbers increasing in response to infection or inflammation. They are a major part of the immune system. The normal range is 4 000 - 10000/µL, also expressed as 4 - 10 G/L or 10<sup>9</sup>/L.<section end="clinical biochemistry" />


If the number of WBCs is elevated above 11 000/µL there is ''leukocytosis''. The body produces more WBCs in response to most infections and inflammations in the body. An elevated white blood count on a blood test is almost always indicative of an ongoing infection or inflammation in the patient. In theory strenuous exercise and emotional stress can cause leucocytosis too.
If the number of WBCs is elevated above 10 000/µL there is ''leukocytosis''. The body produces more WBCs in response to most infections and inflammations in the body. An elevated white blood count on a blood test is almost always indicative of an ongoing infection or inflammation in the patient. In theory strenuous exercise and emotional stress can cause leucocytosis too.


If the number of WBCs is below 4 000/µL there is ''leukopaenia''. This occurs if there is damage to the bone marrow, due to toxic effects from drugs, [[radiation]], [[chemotherapy]], or cancer of the bone marrow, such as [[myelodysplastic syndrome]] or [[leukaemia]].
If the number of WBCs is below 4 000/µL there is ''leukopaenia''. This occurs if there is damage to the bone marrow, due to toxic effects from drugs, [[radiation]], [[chemotherapy]], or cancer of the bone marrow, such as [[myelodysplastic syndrome]] or [[leukaemia]].