

This can lead to a low white blood cell count, making it more difficult for your body to fight off foreign invaders. Excessive drinking can damage the bone marrow, where white blood cells are produced. One of the most significant effects of alcohol on the immune system is its effect on white blood cells. How does alcohol affect white blood cells?

People with particular blood cancers may also have high white blood cells counts. It may also be a sign of physical or emotional stress. What is wrong when you have too many white blood cells?Ī high white blood cell count may indicate that the immune system is working to destroy an infection.

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells and hematocrit is a measurement of the amount of red blood cells as related to total blood cell count. Hemoglobin is the iron-based molecule type that gives blood its red color and ferries oxygen to the rest of the body. What is the difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit? High hematocrit levels could indicate underlying medical conditions like: Dehydration.Ĭomplete blood count (CBC) – to evaluate blood cells and the balance between the solid and liquid portions of the blood specifically, one component, the hematocrit, can be elevated with dehydration. If you’ve taken a hematocrit test and hematocrit is high, this means that you have more red blood cells than what’s considered to be healthy. What does it mean if your hematocrit is low?Ī lower than normal hematocrit can indicate: An insufficient supply of healthy red blood cells (anemia) A large number of white blood cells due to long-term illness, infection or a white blood cell disorder such as leukemia or lymphoma.
