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Neutrophils are the white blood cells you have the most of in your blood. They are your body's main defence against bacteria, viruses and other germs. A white blood cell count that is too high or too low can point to inflammation, a condition of the immune system or the bone marrow, or the use of certain medicines.[1]
On this page you can read what neutrophils are, what the guidelines say about a value that is too low or too high, what affects your value and which values are best to look at alongside it.
Also called: neutrophils, neutrophilic white blood cells. At the lab: GBBX.
Neutrophils, neutrophilic granulocytes in full, are a type of white blood cell. White blood cells are made in your bone marrow. They are found in your blood and your lymph tissue and are an important part of your immune system.[1]
There are five types of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Of all these types, you have the most neutrophils. They are your main defence when bacteria, viruses or other germs enter your body.[1]
Are you ill or do you have a wound? Then white blood cells travel through your blood and tissues to the place where they are needed. There they help your body fight the illness.[1]
The five types of white blood cells each do different work. That is why measuring them separately gives your healthcare provider important information about your health.[1]
A healthcare provider may order the test to keep track of your general health or as part of a routine check-up. The test can also help find the cause of symptoms such as feeling unusually tired or weak, or unexplained bruising.[1]
The test also helps to monitor an existing blood condition. It can also look further into an abnormal white blood cell count from another blood test.[1]
Labplusarts, the lab BioProfile works with, measures neutrophil granulocytes as a count per litre of blood, in 10^9/l. A widely used handbook for doctors gives 1.83 to 7.25 10^9/l as the usual range for adults. Your own result shows the range the lab uses for your measurement.[2]
| Value | What it means | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| 1.83 to 7.25 10^9/l[2] | Usual range | Adults |
Source: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, normal white blood cell values in adults.[2]
MedlinePlus does not give separate limits for neutrophils, but it does describe a low white blood cell count. This is called leukopenia. It can point to a disease of the bone marrow or a malignant condition. Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, can also lower the count.[1]
A high white blood cell count is called leukocytosis. It can point to germs in your body, an inflammation, a condition of the immune system, a malignant condition of the blood or the lymphatic system, or an allergic reaction. Certain steroids can also raise the count. Your healthcare provider also looks at your symptoms, your medical history and your other blood values.[1]
BioProfile is working on its own zones for each value, from risk to optimal. A doctor reviews those zones before they appear in your result.
Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, can lower your white blood cell count. Certain steroids can raise it instead.[1]
Smoking and drinking alcohol can affect your result. So an abnormal result does not always point to a condition.[1]
Physical injury or extreme stress can also affect your result.[1]
An allergic reaction can raise your white blood cell count.[1]
Neutrophils are included in all five packages, from BioProfile 31 to BioProfile 150.[3]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 2 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 2 October 2026. Every number on this page appears in one of those sources, with that source's number next to it. An expert has yet to check this page; once checked, the expert's name and the date of the check will appear at the top. This page offers explanation, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal value with your GP.
