There are countless mechanisms in our body that are responsible for protecting us. One of these mechanisms is white blood cells. There are some types of white blood cells produced in the bone marrow that mix with the blood and fight off germs. One of these species is monocytes. The monocyte fights microbes like other cells, but more importantly, it acts as a messenger that calls other white blood cells into battle.
The fact that the monocyte acts as a kind of messenger by calling other white blood cells forms the basis of the immune system. For this reason, monocyte elevation and low monocyte levels should be controlled by a specialist physician and some treatments should be applied when necessary. There are some precautions you can take to restore your monocyte balance. Let’s answer the questions in detail, such as what is a monocyte, a type of white blood cell, what it does, what happens in case of high and low.
What is a monocyte and what does it do? Ideal monocyte ratio, height and low:
Let’s start with the basics, what is a monocyte?
Monocyte is one of the five subtypes of leukocytes, or white blood cells, which are produced in the bone marrow and then enter the blood and undertake the task of fighting microbes. Monocytes, like other white blood cells, are responsible for finding and destroying viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microbes. Another task is to start the treatment and infection prevention process by calling other white blood cells after finding the microbe.
So what does a monocyte do?
We can say that monocytes are both warriors and messengers. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. When a microbe enters our body, these cells go into an alarm state and mix with the blood. One of them, the monocyte, both fights microbes and activates other white blood cells by calling them into action.
There are two types of monocytes:
- Dendritic cells
- macrophages
Dendritic cells:
Dendritic cells are the part of monocytes that act as call centers. Their job is to stimulate other cells in our body to make them take action. Dendritic cells are found in superficial tissues such as the lining of the nose, lungs, stomach, and intestines. When a microbe enters our body, dendritic cells collect the microbe’s antigen and call the white blood cells to the area by emitting cytokines.
Macrophages:
Macrophages are the warrior part of monocytes. Their job is to fight microbes that enter our body. Macrophages surround microbes, engulfing them with toxic enzymes, engulfing them and killing them. Macrophages are also responsible for keeping dead cells out of the bloodstream and tissues. So macrophages are soldier monocytes.
How to detect the rate of monocytes in your body?
Depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, your doctor may suspect that your monocyte value is low or high. To determine your monocyte ratio, you will be asked for a complete blood count. As a result of the complete blood count, the monocyte ratio is determined along with many blood values. If there are different disorders suspected according to the ratio situation, new tests may also be requested.
What should the monocyte ratio be?
Under normal conditions, the monocyte ratio makes up 2 percent to 8 percent of the total white blood cell count. In healthy adults, this means 200 to 800 monocytes per microliter of blood. A monocyte value between 0 and 9 percent is considered normal.
What is low monocyte, why do monocyte drop?
- aplastic anemia
- blood infection
- burn injuries
- HIV virus
- reaction to chemotherapy
When your monocyte value is below normal as a result of the complete blood count test, this is called monocytopenia, that is, low monocyte levels. Some of the conditions that cause low monocyte are as above.
What is monocyte height, why does monocyte increase?
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis
- blood disorders
- Cancer types such as leukemia, lymphoma
- cardiovascular diseases
- Infections such as mononucleosis
- Inflammatory disorders such as sarcoidosis
When your monocyte value is above normal as a result of the complete blood count test, this is called monocytosis, that is, monocyte elevation. Some of the conditions that cause monocyte elevation are as above.
What symptoms are seen if monocyte values are not normal?
- Stomach ache
- inflammation
- feeling of burnout
- abnormal weight loss
- High fever
Unlike many ailments, both low and high monocyte levels have similar symptoms. For this reason, any treatment should not be started without the diagnosis of a specialist physician. Some of the symptoms to be seen if the monocyte values are not normal are as above.
How to lower high monocytes?
- Limit red meat consumption.
- Limit refined carbohydrate consumption.
- Limit the consumption of fried food.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly.
If you have been diagnosed with monocytosis, that is, monocyte elevation, as a result of the full count test, you can reduce your monocyte value by applying these methods. Of course, before applying these methods, you should definitely consult your doctor and always keep the treatment method given by him at the forefront.
How to raise low monocytes?
If you have been diagnosed with monocytopenia, that is, low monocyte levels, as a result of the complete count test, you should first talk to your doctor and state the drugs you use, and if there are any that reduce your monocyte value, you should use them with the new dose. You should discuss different situations that decrease your monocyte value by discussing it with your doctor, and if you have deficiencies such as vitamin B12, C, and D, you should take supplements. Of course, you should consult your doctor before all the methods you will apply and you should always keep the treatment method given by him at the forefront.
What should be done to keep the monocyte value under control?
- Avoid injuries and risks of infection.
- Eat well.
- Exercise regularly.
- If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.
- Pay attention to your hygiene, especially washing your hands frequently.
- Try to reduce your stress level, seek professional help if needed.
Even if you do not have any symptoms showing low or high monocyte levels and you have not been diagnosed with any disease by a specialist physician, you can protect your monocytes and prevent future diseases by applying the above methods. In fact, the healthier you live, the healthier your monocyte value will be.
We talked about the details you need to know about the subject by answering questions such as what is a monocyte, a type of white blood cell that fights when a microbe enters your body and starts the treatment process by calling other cells, what is it for, what happens in case of high and low. What we describe is for informational purposes only. As with all health issues, you should get the most accurate and specific information about monocyte from a specialist physician by applying to the nearest health institution.
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