Monocytes Elevated

Monocytes Elevated: Overview

Monocytes are white blood cells that help other white blood cells to remove dead or damaged tissues, destroy cancer cells, and regulate immunity against foreign substances. Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and then enter the bloodstream, where they account for about 1 to 10% of the circulating leukocytes (200 to 600 monocytes per microliter of blood).  After a few hours they migrate to tissues such as the spleen, liver, lung, and bone marrow, where they mature into macrophages, the main scavenger cells of the immune system.

Causes and Development

An increased number of monocytes in the blood (monocytosis) occurs in response to chronic infections, in autoimmune disorders, in blood disorders, and in cancers.

Diagnosis and Tests

An increased percentage of monocytes may indicate:

Elevated Monocytes

Information On This Page
Signs and symptoms Contributing risk factors Conditions suggested by it

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Monocytes Elevated:

Lab Values - Cells

Elevated monocyte count (confirmed) is a sign or symptom of Monocytes Elevated(Highly) elevated monocyte count (confirmed)

Risk factors for Monocytes Elevated:

Infections

Tuberculosis may increase risk of Monocytes ElevatedTuberculosis
Infectious Mononucleosis - Mono may increase risk of Monocytes ElevatedInfectious Mononucleosis - Mono

Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation may increase risk of Monocytes ElevatedChronic Inflammation

Parasites

Parasite Infection may increase risk of Monocytes ElevatedParasite Infection

Monocytes Elevated suggests the following may be present:

Inflammation

Monocytes Elevated often suggests Chronic InflammationChronic Inflammation

KEY

Weak or unproven link: may increase risk of
Weak or unproven link:
may increase risk of
Strong or generally accepted link: often suggests
Strong or generally accepted link:
often suggests
Definite or direct link: is a sign or symptom of
Definite or direct link:
is a sign or symptom of
Last updated: Apr 25, 2013