Home › Biomarkers › Absolute neutrophil count
Neutrophils are the most numerous type of white blood cell. 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 things such as inflammation, an allergic reaction, certain medicines or a bone marrow condition.[1]
On this page you can read what absolute neutrophil count is, 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 known as: neutrophils, ANC, part of the white blood cell differential. At the lab: n/a.
Neutrophils are white blood cells. White blood cells are made in your bone marrow and are found in your blood and your lymph tissue. They are an important part of your immune system.[1]
There are five types of white blood cells. Neutrophils are the most numerous. When bacteria, viruses or other germs enter your body, neutrophils are your main defence.[1]
A blood test for the white blood cell differential measures the number and/or the percentage of each type. The absolute neutrophil count is the number of neutrophils in your blood.[1]
The five types of white blood cells each do a different job. Measuring them separately gives your doctor important information about your health.[1]
The test is often part of a routine check-up. It can also help find the cause of symptoms such as unusual tiredness, weakness or bruising for no clear reason.[1]
If you already have a blood condition, the test can help track how it develops.[1]
| Result | Can point to | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Higher than normal[1] | inflammation, an allergic reaction, a condition of the immune system, certain blood conditions or the use of certain steroids | Adults and children; the source names no separate group |
| Lower than normal[1] | a condition of the bone marrow, certain medicines such as antibiotics, or another serious condition | Adults and children; the source names no separate group |
| Abnormal without a condition[1] | smoking, alcohol, physical injury or severe stress | Adults and children; the source names no separate group |
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Blood Differential. The source describes white blood cells in general and gives no figures.[1]
MedlinePlus describes a white blood cell count that is too high in general terms. A value like this can point to inflammation, an allergic reaction, an immune system condition or certain blood conditions. Certain steroids can also raise the count. Your doctor also looks at your symptoms, your medical history and other blood values.[1]
A white blood cell count that is too low can point to a bone marrow condition or another serious condition. Certain medicines, such as antibiotics, can also lower the count. If your result looks abnormal, your doctor can order extra tests to find the cause.[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 steroids can raise the number of white blood cells. Certain other medicines, such as antibiotics, can lower it.[1]
Inflammation or an allergic reaction can raise the number of white blood cells.[1]
Smoking and alcohol can affect your result, even if you do not have a condition.[1]
Severe stress or physical injury can also change your result. You do not need any special preparation for the test.[1]
Absolute neutrophil count is included in all five packages, from BioProfile 31 to BioProfile 150.[2]
The BioProfile editorial team wrote this page on 5 October 2026 from the sources below, which we read on 5 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 review this page; once that review is done, the expert's name and the date of the review will appear at the top. This page explains and does not diagnose. Discuss a value outside the normal range with your GP.
