Why do steroids cause an increase in WBC?

[Digginit]

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What's the mechanism for it? Surely some really smart medical student knows.....

Digginit!

 

[ckent]

It causes white blood cells to be released from endothelial walls and go into the blood stream, allowing them to be counted in your CBC.

 

[dr barb]

Steroids increase the concentration of neutrophils in your blood (causing and increase in WBC's but without bandemia) by preventing their infiltration to the site of injury, and hence, directing them to the circulation instead of the injured tissue. These are mature neutrophils so you don't see an increase in bands (immature neutrophils).

 

[Talula]

Yep, a phenomenon also known as "demargination." Gotta give it a name that the 'lay' public doesn't understand to make us feel super smart 🙄

 

[phllystyl]

Originally posted by Talula
Yep, a phenomenon also known as "demargination." Gotta give it a name that the 'lay' public doesn't understand to make us feel super smart 🙄

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I actually think demargination is a perfect descriptor of it, just as margination is perfect descriptor of the opposite.

 

[Digginit]

Great! Thanks!