Neutrophils are infection-fighting white blood cells; this test shows your body’s frontline defense.
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. They are your body's fast first responders, rushing to sites of infection or injury to find and destroy bacteria and fungi.
This test reports the absolute neutrophil count, meaning the actual number of neutrophils in a set volume of blood. It comes from the differential part of a complete blood count.
The neutrophil count helps show how your body is handling infection and inflammation. A high count often points to a bacterial infection, recent injury, physical stress, or inflammation. Very low counts (called neutropenia) leave you more open to infection and can follow certain medications, viral illness, or a problem in the bone marrow.
Because neutrophils react quickly, a single reading reflects what your body is dealing with right now.
Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.
Typical adult range, automated count:
| Measure | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Neutrophils, absolute | 1.8 to 7.7 x10^9/L |
Ranges are guidance only and vary by laboratory and analyser. Your lab's own reference range, aligned to German practice (DGKL), is the one to read against.
Your result shows whether your neutrophils sit in the typical range, are raised, or are low. Read together with the rest of your blood count, it helps flag a possible infection, ongoing inflammation, or a reason to look closer at your immune health.
Counts rise after physical exertion, stress, smoking, pregnancy, and corticosteroid use. Recent infection or surgery raises them too. Some chemotherapy and immune-suppressing drugs lower them. A long delay before the sample is analysed can affect the result.
Best read alongside the total white blood cell count and the other differential cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils), plus CRP when infection is suspected.
What do my neutrophil results mean? Higher levels often reflect infection, inflammation, or stress. Lower levels can mean reduced immune reserve; your clinician will review context and trends.
Do I need to fast for this test? No. You can eat and drink as usual unless your clinician requests other fasting labs.
What can affect my neutrophil count? Recent illness, strenuous exercise, stress, smoking, pregnancy, and medicines like steroids or chemotherapy can change results.
How often should I test? Most people test only when a clinician orders it. If results are out of range or you’re on treatment, you may recheck as advised.
How long do results take? Results are usually ready in about 7 days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Share symptoms, recent infections, and all medicines or supplements. Ask how your ANC and other white cell types guide next steps.
One annual membership, 100+ biomarkers, every result explained in plain language with a personalized action plan and concierge guidance.
