Do you often get colds and flu-like illnesses? Or do you feel tired and lethargic? Although we often think of these as normal things, sometimes there may be a bigger story behind them inside our bodies. One of the main characters in that story is called 'Granulocytes'. Let's see who these little guards are in our bodies?
What are granulocytes in simple terms?
Simply put, granulocytes are a type of white blood cell in our blood. These are the most common type of white blood cell in our body. Imagine that our body is like a country. Then these white blood cells are the army of that country. Granulocytes are like specially trained commandos in that army.
Inside these cells are small granules. Inside these granules are various chemicals and enzymes. When an infection, that is, a germ, enters our body, these granulocytes quickly go to that place, release the granules inside them and fight the germ.
The only way to know what your granulocyte levels are is to get a blood test .
- If the granulocyte count is high: It could mean that there is some kind of infection in your body.
- If the granulocyte count is low: It may be a symptom of a bone marrow disease, such as leukemia or aplastic anemia.
What happens if immature granulocytes are present in the blood?
Usually, these granulocytes enter the blood after they have fully matured in our bone marrow. But sometimes these immature cells are also found in the blood . If that happens, there are several things that could mean.
One is that there is something wrong with the bone marrow. Or, it could be that the body is trying to respond quickly to an infection as soon as it starts. Usually, doctors are most concerned if these immature granulocytes make up more than 2% of your total white blood cell count.
But there is nothing to worry about if a pregnant mother or a newborn baby has these immature cells in their blood. It shows that their bone marrow is healthy and working well. Therefore, it is a normal condition.
What are the main types of granulocytes and their functions?
We said that these are like commandos. This commando team also has specialists for different tasks. Similarly, there are several main types of granulocytes. Each type does a different job.
| Cell Type | Main function and simple description |
|---|---|
| Neutrophils | These are the main and most abundant defenders in our body. They make up about two-thirds of our white blood cells. Their main job is to fight bacteria. |
| Eosinophils | These cells are most active in allergies . In addition, they help fight parasites. |
| Basophils | These are mainly involved in allergies. They are the ones who release substances like histamine and help get rid of the allergens from the body. |
| Mast cells | These are similar to basophils. The difference is that they don't travel in the blood, but stay in tissues like our skin and lungs. They are the first to become active when an infection occurs. |
What conditions are caused by low or high granulocyte counts?
Maintaining a normal number of these cells is very important for our health. If their number decreases or increases, it can be a symptom of various medical conditions.
- Granulocytosis: This is an increase in the number of granulocytes. This can be caused by an infection, cancer, or autoimmune disease.
- Neutropenia: This is a decrease in the number of neutrophils. This can often be caused by a blood or bone marrow disease (e.g. leukemia).
- Eosinophilia: Increased eosinophil count. This condition can be seen in people with asthma or allergies.
- Basophilia: An increase in basophils. This can also be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases, or conditions such as leukemia.
Common symptoms in this situation
Abnormal granulocyte levels can cause a variety of symptoms, but here are some common symptoms:
- Fatigue and feeling tired all the time
- Frequent fever
- Getting sick very quickly (Frequent infections)
- Gum disease
- Mouth sores
- Joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rashes
- Swollen lymph nodes
How do I know exactly what my granulocyte level is?
The best way to find out is to get a Complete Blood Count (CBC) report . In Sri Lanka, we also call this a "Full Blood Count" report. This is a common blood test.
Look for these words in your CBC report:
- `Neutrophil` or "neut"
- `Eosinophil` or "eosin"
- `Basophil` or "baso"
You may have noticed that there is an "abs" after these words. That stands for "absolute." It refers to the exact number of cells in the blood. If you have any doubts about the values in your report, it is best to talk to your doctor about it.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the cause of your abnormal granulocyte levels.
General treatment
- Antibiotics - for infectious conditions
- Corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants
- Bone marrow transplant - for severe cases
- G-CSF injections - to stimulate the growth of granulocytes
If there is a cancer
If the cause is cancer, there are separate treatments for that.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Surgery
If my granulocyte count is abnormal, what should I do?
If you have low or high granulocyte counts, you are more likely to get infections. So it is very important to protect yourself from infections.
- Wash your hands often: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose: Do not touch these areas without washing your hands.
- Get the necessary vaccinations: Get the vaccinations recommended by your doctor on time.
- Take care of your oral health: Brush your teeth daily. Keep seeing a dentist.
Above all, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. He or she will advise you on the best treatment and prevention methods for your condition.
Take-Home Message
- Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that is essential to our body and fights infection.
- A decrease or increase in their number can be a symptom of anything from a simple infection to a serious condition such as leukemia.
- You can easily determine your granulocyte level with a simple blood test (CBC).
- If you are constantly feeling sick or feeling unwell, don't ignore these symptoms. See your doctor immediately.
- It is very important to seek medical treatment and protect yourself from infections.
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