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Hematology

Leukocytes in women: normal value and the higher limit in the third trimester of pregnancy

Leukocytes are the white blood cells: the bone marrow makes them, and they protect the body against infection by attacking pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

A count that is too high can fit an infection, leukaemia, an injury or stress according to the NVKC, and a count that is too low can fit chemotherapy, radiation or disorders of the immune system. The number of white blood cells can only be established with a blood test.

The same limit holds for women and men: 4.3 to 10.0 × 10^9/l (billion per litre) at Star-SHL from age 18, 4.0 to 10.0 at Certe from age 18 and at Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U above age 15. According to a 2015 US review, 5.8 to 13.2 × 10^9 per litre is normal in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Leukocytes are the white blood cells that protect the body against infection. Star-SHL uses 4.3 to 10.0 × 10^9/l from age 18, Certe 4.0 to 10.0 from age 18, and Unilabs and Diagnostiek voor U 4.0 to 10.0 above age 15.

  • A raised leukocyte count is called leukocytosis, a lowered count leukopenia.
  • According to the NVKC, the leukocyte count is often part of a complete blood count.
  • A leukocyte count above 100,000 per cubic millimetre (mm³) is almost always caused by leukaemia or a related bone marrow disease, according to a 2015 US review.

Reference Ranges

Female
10^9/l
Low 4 Normal 10 High

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

Leukocytes (WBC): what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in 10^9/l
Star-shl · Everyone · 18–110 years 4.3–10.0 10^9/l
4.3 10
Unilabs · Everyone · 15 years and older 4–10 10^9/l
4 10
Certe · Female · 18 years and older 4–10 10*9/L
4 10
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · 16 years and older 4–10 /nL
4 10
0 11 10^9/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Leukocytes (WBC): what this test measures

The leukocyte count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood, in billions per litre (× 10^9/l). Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U give the same limits for adult women and men.

Leukocytes (WBC): why this value matters

The leukocyte count should be read with a range that fits age and any pregnancy, according to a 2015 US review. In that review, the normal count in the third trimester is 5.8 to 13.2 × 10^9 per litre, higher than outside pregnancy.

Leukocytes (WBC): how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Leukocytes (WBC): when is testing worthwhile?

Leukocytes are often counted as part of a complete blood count according to the NVKC. The NVKC names three purposes: detecting inflammation, detecting leukaemia and checking whether the immune system works well.

Leukocytes (WBC): symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

A low leukocyte count is called leukopenia, and with a shortage of neutrophils, one kind of white blood cell, a 2025 US review names among the possible causes a shortage of vitamin B12, folate or copper, alongside infections and medicines.

The same review grades a shortage of neutrophils as mild at 1,000 to 1,500 per microlitre (µL), moderate at 500 to 999 and severe below 500, applying to adults and children older than 1 year.

High Levels

A high leukocyte count is called leukocytosis; infection, leukaemia, injury and stress are the possible causes the NVKC gives for it. In the third trimester of pregnancy, a count of 5.8 to 13.2 × 10^9 per litre is normal according to a 2015 US review.

With a raised leukocyte count, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss, easy bruising or bleeding can point to a malignant cause according to that review.

Leukocytes (WBC): causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Chemotherapy

    Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and can lower the white cell count.

  • Radiation

    The white cell count can fall after radiation.

  • Immune system disorders

    A low white cell count points to an immune system that works less well, as in serious infectious diseases such as HIV.

What raises the value

  • Infection

    White blood cells attack bacteria, fungi and viruses, and during an infection their number is often raised.

  • Leukaemia

    In leukaemia white blood cells are produced without restraint.

  • Injury

    The white cell count can rise after an injury.

  • Stress

    Stress can also raise the white cell count.

Leukocytes (WBC): lifestyle and this value

With an acquired shortage of neutrophils, one kind of leukocyte, the underlying cause is treated according to a 2025 US review, such as a shortage of vitamin B12, folate or copper.

Leukocytes (WBC): frequently asked questions

Is the leukocyte count higher in pregnancy?

The normal leukocyte count is higher in the third trimester of pregnancy than outside pregnancy: 5.8 to 13.2 × 10^9 per litre according to a 2015 US review.

Do women have a different normal leukocyte value than men?

No, Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U give the same leukocyte limits for adult women and men: 4.3 to 10.0 × 10^9/l at Star-SHL and 4.0 to 10.0 at the other three.

Leukocytes (WBC): sources

  1. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  2. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  3. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  4. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  5. NVKC, Alles over testen: WBC, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-03 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl

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