Autoimmune diseases like lupus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), along with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's, can cause high white blood cell counts (leukocytosis) because the immune system is overactive, leading to increased inflammation and cell production, though lupus can also cause low counts; high counts often signal infection or steroid treatment, but chronic autoimmune conditions are a known cause of elevated white blood cells.
Some autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may cause an elevated white blood cell count.
When your child has too many white blood cells, it's called leukocytosis. Leukocytosis may be a sign of an infection, inflammation or another everyday medical issue. In other cases, it may be due to an immune disorder or blood disease.
As an autoimmune disease, lupus can cause inflammation in various parts of your body, including your nasal passages. This inflammation can lead to ulcers (sores) in your nose, making you more susceptible to nosebleeds. Sores may occur more often during lupus flares, when symptoms worsen for a period of time.
Pregnancy-related stress—such as hormonal shifts, weight gain, and the demands on your organs—can cause a spike in WBCs. Labor, in particular, is a high-stress event, often resulting in a temporary jump in white blood cells. Inflammation is a natural part of pregnancy.
A high white blood cell count usually means one of the following has increased the making of white blood cells:
The mean WBC count increased with increasing severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety among men. Male participants with severe depression had significantly higher values of RDW (p < 0.001); however, this relationship was less marked among women (p = 0.004).
Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:
Three key signs of Sjögren's syndrome are dry eyes, dry mouth, and profound fatigue, stemming from this autoimmune condition attacking moisture-producing glands, though other symptoms like joint pain, swollen glands, and systemic issues can also occur.
GPA symptoms may develop over days or months. Early signs are nasal congestion, frequent nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and coughing up bloody phlegm.
Symptoms of childhood leukemia
Eat a Balanced Diet:
Incorporating a variety of nutrient-rich foods can significantly contribute to boosting your immune system. Foods loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants, and zinc are particularly beneficial in promoting WBC production.
At the time of diagnosis, patients can have very, very high white blood cell counts. Typically a healthy person has a white blood cell count of about 4,000-11,000. Patients with acute or even chronic leukemia may come in with a white blood cell count up into the 100,000-400,000 range.
No single blood test can diagnose all autoimmune diseases. High CRP and ESR levels suggest inflammation, which can be a sign of an autoimmune disease. A positive ANA test may indicate lupus but doesn't always mean you have an autoimmune disease.
Disorders related to having a high white blood count include: Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, conditions that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues. Bacterial or viral infections. Cancers such as leukemia and Hodgkin disease.
Complete blood count (CBC): This blood test lets your healthcare provider know if you have abnormal levels of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If you have leukemia, you'll likely have higher than normal counts of white blood cells.
Specific Tests for Sjögren's Syndrome
Your doctor may recommend some or all of the following tests: Blood and urine tests, to look for the presence of antibodies common in Sjögren's syndrome. The results of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test will determine if you have an autoimmune disorder.
You can get it at any age, but it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s. Sjogren's syndrome is more common in people who have other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Early lupus warning signs often mimic other illnesses, but key indicators include extreme fatigue, fever, joint pain/swelling, skin rashes (especially a butterfly-shaped rash on the face), hair loss, and sensitivity to sunlight, alongside potential issues like headaches, mouth sores, and fingers/toes turning white or blue in the cold (Raynaud's). These symptoms can appear suddenly or slowly and come and go in flares.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often ranked by severity, impact on life expectancy, and organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (deadly heart inflammation), Vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation like GPA), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (multi-organ attacks), Multiple Sclerosis (nervous system damage), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas destruction). These conditions can severely affect quality of life, cause permanent disability, and reduce lifespan if not managed effectively, though rare ones like Giant Cell Myocarditis are acutely fatal.
Micronutrient Deficiencies: deficiencies in vitamin D, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, antioxidants, and omega-3 are linked to the deterioration of the immune system's function, the emergence of inflammation, and the health condition of patients with autoimmune diseases.
A high white blood cell count, or leukocytosis, can be caused by infections, inflammation, leukaemia, or medications. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or specialised therapies for leukaemia.
In one study, 9 participants were deprived of sleep, and their results were compared to those of 8 other participants who had a full night's sleep. The WBC count increased after sleep deprivation, but there was no change in the WBC count after a night's sleep7.
When a high white blood cell count is not caused by general infections and immune system malfunctions or responses, it may be an indication of a more specific issue or condition, such as: Acute lymphocytic leukemia. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) Allergy, especially severe allergic reactions.