--- title: White Blood Cell Count Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/white-blood-cell-count" also_known_as: - wbc - white blood cells - leukocytes - white blood cell count category: Blood Health units: - "10^3/uL" - K/uL - x10E3/uL order_price_usd: 21.99 order_item: CBC with Differential order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential" reviewed_at: 2026-09-06 --- # White Blood Cell Count > White Blood Cell Count is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 4.50 – 11.0 10^3/uL. At TestWell it's $21.99 all-in as CBC with Differential, results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: wbc, white blood cells, leukocytes, white blood cell count. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | 10^3/uL / K/uL / x10E3/uL | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Price | $21.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does White Blood Cell Count measure? The number of infection-fighting cells in your blood. Changes can reflect infection, inflammation, or marrow activity. ## What is the normal range for White Blood Cell Count? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+ | 4.50 – 11.0 10^3/uL | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high White Blood Cell Count mean? A high white blood cell count (leukocytosis) is most often the body's normal response to infection, inflammation, stress, smoking or exercise, or a side effect of corticosteroids. The differential shows which cell type is driving it — neutrophils in bacterial infection and stress, lymphocytes in viral illness, eosinophils in allergy. Persistently high counts without a cause, or very high counts, are evaluated for blood disorders. ### Common causes of high White Blood Cell Count 1. Acute infection or inflammation 2. Stress, strenuous exercise, smoking, obesity 3. Corticosteroids, lithium, beta-agonists 4. Allergy or parasitic infection (eosinophils) 5. Pregnancy, after surgery or trauma 6. Leukemia or myeloproliferative disorders (usually much higher counts, or abnormal cells) ### Symptoms that go with high White Blood Cell Count - Depends on the cause — fever, cough, sore throat with infection - Often none ### What clinicians usually check next - Review the differential - Repeat in 2–4 weeks when well - CRP; peripheral smear if persistent or very high - Hematology referral for counts above about 30 or abnormal cells Follow-up tests at TestWell: [C-Reactive Protein (CRP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/crp) ($26.99). ### Seek care promptly if - A very high WBC (above about 30 × 10³/µL) or a high count with unexplained bruising, bone pain or night sweats — prompt evaluation **Does a high white count mean leukemia?** Rarely. Infection, inflammation, stress and steroids explain the vast majority. Leukemia usually shows much higher counts or abnormal cells on the smear. ## What does a low White Blood Cell Count mean? A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) is most commonly a mildly low neutrophil count that is normal for the individual — benign ethnic neutropenia is common in people of African and Middle Eastern ancestry — or the after-effect of a viral infection. Medications (chemotherapy, some antibiotics, antithyroid drugs, clozapine, anticonvulsants), autoimmune disease, B12 or folate deficiency and bone-marrow problems are the other causes. ### Common causes of low White Blood Cell Count 1. Benign (constitutional) neutropenia 2. Recent viral infection 3. Medications: chemotherapy, methimazole/propylthiouracil, clozapine, some antibiotics and anticonvulsants 4. Autoimmune conditions (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) 5. B12, folate or copper deficiency 6. Bone-marrow disorders, HIV, enlarged spleen ### Symptoms that go with low White Blood Cell Count - Usually none - Frequent or severe infections, mouth ulcers when neutrophils are very low ### What clinicians usually check next - Review the absolute neutrophil count, not just the total - Repeat in 2–4 weeks - B12, folate, HIV test, autoimmune screen as indicated - Hematology referral if the neutrophil count is below about 1.0 × 10³/µL or falling Follow-up tests at TestWell: [HIV 1/2 Antigen & Antibodies (4th Gen)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/hiv-test) ($39.99), [Folate (Vitamin B9)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/folate) ($32.99). ### Seek care promptly if - A very low neutrophil count (below 0.5 × 10³/µL) with fever — emergency care **My WBC is 3.4 — should I worry?** Mildly low counts are often normal for the person. A repeat, a look at the neutrophil count and a medication review are the usual steps; stable mild neutropenia without infections is usually benign. ## How do you get tested for White Blood Cell Count? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) | Single test | $21.99 | This marker | | [General Wellness Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/general-wellness-panel) | Panel | $49.99 | 4 tests | | [Baseline Anemia Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/anemia-panel) | Panel | $74.99 | 5 tests | | [Fatty Liver Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/fatty-liver-panel) | Panel | $92.99 | 6 tests | | [Post-COVID Recovery Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/post-covid-panel) | Panel | $99.99 | 7 tests | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $21.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $21.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $18.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about White Blood Cell Count ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my white blood cell count? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get White Blood Cell Count results? Most White Blood Cell Count results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a White Blood Cell Count test cost? Our CBC with Differential starts at $21.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my White Blood Cell Count test? Fasting is not required for the White Blood Cell Count test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day. ### Which lab will process my White Blood Cell Count test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [AACC Lab Tests Online](https://www.testing.com/tests/white-blood-cell-count-wbc/) - [MedlinePlus (NIH) — White Blood Count (WBC)](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/white-blood-count-wbc/) ## Related biomarkers - [Hemoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hemoglobin) - [Hematocrit](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hematocrit) - [Platelet Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/platelet-count) - [Red Blood Cell Count](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/red-blood-cell-count) - [MCV](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mcv) - [MCH](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/mch) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-06. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/white-blood-cell-count Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.