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While reading comments about Sweet Syndrome and associated elevated white blood cells, I realized I have had high white4 blood cells in every lab taken over 20 years. I've been on tons of drugs, and am pasting results from pubmed on medically induced white blood cells. No doctor ever suggested this, only said inflammation along with whatever else was going on (from numerous surgeries, maladies, implants, etc) Sooo when none of that is going on, still high WBC. So which meds I'm taking now come to mind, and several are listed as drug induced. Arrgh Why haven't any of the medical teams I have had questioned this? Drugs that commonly induce high white blood cell counts (leukocytosis) include corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone), colony-stimulating factors (filgrastim), lithium, and beta-agonists (epinephrine). These medications work by releasing white blood cells from bone marrow or reducing their movement into tissues, often causing neutrophil elevation.Primary Drugs Causing High White Blood Cells (WBCs)Corticosteroids: Prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and inhaled steroids (budesonide, fluticasone) are leading causes. They typically raise neutrophil counts within 48 hours.Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs): Agents like Filgrastim (G-CSF) and Pegfilgrastim are designed to increase neutrophil counts.Lithium: Often causes mild to moderate elevation, historically used to manage neutropenia.Beta-agonists & Epinephrine: Epinephrine and other beta-agonists produce neutrophilia by releasing neutrophils from the vascular marginated pool.Other Potential CausesMedications: Certain antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine), anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and specific antibiotics (e.g., sulfonamides).Stimulants: Amphetamines are associated with higher WBC counts.Other: Heparin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and certain chemotherapy drugs during the recovery phase.
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@chrisano: I understand it can be alarming to have lab values that are consistently out of range. Elevated white blood cells (WBC) - or as you noted the medical term for this of leukocytosis - can be associated with a variety of factors, most commonly infection/inflammation, stress and/or smoking.
In the context of this discussion on Malignancy Associated Sweet's Syndrome (MASS), it's important to note the differention between elevated WBC and MASS, as the latter is a rare condition associated with skin lesions - generally blister-like in nature - along with fever, with a specific elevation of neutrophils, a component of WBCs.
A hematologist may be helpful in determining the underlying reason for consistent elevation in these counts in your particular case. Perhaps if you've not already done so, you can ask one of your providers for a referral?