Educational information only. At Precursor, blood testing is requested and reviewed by a clinician and considered alongside your history and other markers, not as a stand-alone diagnosis. Testing is performed in NATA-accredited laboratories to ISO 15189 standards.

What are neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell and the immune system's rapid responders, especially to bacterial infection. They are usually the first cells to arrive at the site of an injury or infection, making them a front-line part of your defences.

Why they matter

Because neutrophils react quickly to bacterial infection and inflammation, their number is one of the most informative parts of the white cell differential. The balance between neutrophils and lymphocytes, in particular, is a useful signal of the kind of immune activity going on.

What your results can mean

Higher than optimal

A raised neutrophil count often reflects bacterial infection, inflammation or physical stress. It is interpreted alongside the rest of the differential and your symptoms.

Lower than optimal

A low neutrophil count can follow certain viral infections or medications and, if very low, can affect your defence against infection. It is reviewed carefully in context.

Reference ranges in Australia

Neutrophils are reported in cells times ten to the ninth per litre (x10⁹/L), with laboratory-specific reference ranges. Read your result against the range on your own report and alongside the rest of your differential.

Test your blood count with Precursor

Neutrophils are most meaningful within the full differential. At Precursor they are measured as part of Full Advanced Bloods, a single clinician-reviewed blood draw covering your full blood count, heart, metabolic, hormonal, kidney, liver, thyroid and nutrient markers together, giving you and your clinician a broad baseline to understand and track.