Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

23033 White Blood Count (WBC)

White Blood Count (WBC)
Test Code: WBC
Synonyms/Keywords
​​WBC count
Useful For
Used to detect, confirm, monitor, or rule out a wide range of hematologic disorders, or to evaluate and manage the hematologic effects of treatments (radiation, chemotherapy, medications) or other conditions (illnesses and injuries).
Specimen Requirements
 
 
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Whole Blood​EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)​EDTA Pink Top Tube (PTT)​

2 mL​One lavender top micro collection tube or 1.0 mL in    3 mL lavender​One lavender top micro collection tube with  0.5 mL​
Royal Blue Top Tube (BD trace element, K2 EDTA)​
Collection Processing Instructions
Invert specimen at least 5-6 times in order to facilitate mixing and prevent coagulation.
 
Prepare blood smear as soon as possible, preferably within two hours of collection, up to 24 hours, label with computer generated label or use pencil to label with patients full name and date. Store slides at room temperature.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood​ ​ Ambient​ <24 hours​
Refrigerated​ <48 hours​
Refrigerated​ >48 hours may be reported with additional comments​
Rejection Criteria
Clotted
Grossly Hemolyzed​
Diluted with IV or tissue fluid​
Frozen​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Bloomer ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Chetek ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Chippewa Falls ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Colby/Abbotsford ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Diagnostic Treatment Center ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Eagle River ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Flambeau Hospital ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Hayward ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Ladysmith Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Lake Hallie ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
Lakeview Medical Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
Marshfield​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Unicel Beckman Coulter DxH800
​Menomonie ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
Mercer​ ​​Monday through Friday ​​Less than 2 hours​ ​​Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Merrill ​Monday through Saturday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Mosinee ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
Neillsville​​​Monday through Sunday​​Less than 2 hours​Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Oakwood ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Phillips ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Rhinelander ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Stettin ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Stevens Point ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wisconsin Rapids ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wittenberg ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
Test Information
​This test is included in CBC without Differential (HGMP), CBC with Automated Differential (HGMPA) or WBC + automated differential (WBCAD).
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites Newborn (0 - 30 days): 9.0 - 30.0 x 103/uL
              1 - 5 months: 5.0 - 19.5 x 103/uL
            6 - 23 months: 6.0 - 17.5 x 103/uL
                 2 - 3 years: 6.0 - 17.0 x 103/uL
                 4 - 5 years: 5.5 - 15.5 x 103/uL
                 6 - 7 years: 5.0 - 14.5 x 103/uL
               8 - 17 years: 4.5 - 13.5 x 103/uL
                  18+ years: 4.1 - 10.9 x 103/uL​
See Critical Value List for list of current critical values.​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
85048​
Synonyms/Keywords
​​WBC count
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​White Blood Count (WBC)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
 
 
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Whole Blood​EDTA Lavender Top Tube (LTT)​EDTA Pink Top Tube (PTT)​

2 mL​One lavender top micro collection tube or 1.0 mL in    3 mL lavender​One lavender top micro collection tube with  0.5 mL​
Royal Blue Top Tube (BD trace element, K2 EDTA)​
Collection Processing
Invert specimen at least 5-6 times in order to facilitate mixing and prevent coagulation.
 
Prepare blood smear as soon as possible, preferably within two hours of collection, up to 24 hours, label with computer generated label or use pencil to label with patients full name and date. Store slides at room temperature.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood​ ​ Ambient​ <24 hours​
Refrigerated​ <48 hours​
Refrigerated​ >48 hours may be reported with additional comments​
Rejection Criteria
Clotted
Grossly Hemolyzed​
Diluted with IV or tissue fluid​
Frozen​
Useful For
Used to detect, confirm, monitor, or rule out a wide range of hematologic disorders, or to evaluate and manage the hematologic effects of treatments (radiation, chemotherapy, medications) or other conditions (illnesses and injuries).
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites Newborn (0 - 30 days): 9.0 - 30.0 x 103/uL
              1 - 5 months: 5.0 - 19.5 x 103/uL
            6 - 23 months: 6.0 - 17.5 x 103/uL
                 2 - 3 years: 6.0 - 17.0 x 103/uL
                 4 - 5 years: 5.5 - 15.5 x 103/uL
                 6 - 7 years: 5.0 - 14.5 x 103/uL
               8 - 17 years: 4.5 - 13.5 x 103/uL
                  18+ years: 4.1 - 10.9 x 103/uL​
See Critical Value List for list of current critical values.​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Bloomer ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Chetek ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Chippewa Falls ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Colby/Abbotsford ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Diagnostic Treatment Center ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Eagle River ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Flambeau Hospital ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Hayward ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Ladysmith Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Lake Hallie ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
Lakeview Medical Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
Marshfield​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Unicel Beckman Coulter DxH800
​Menomonie ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
Mercer​ ​​Monday through Friday ​​Less than 2 hours​ ​​Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Merrill ​Monday through Saturday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Mosinee ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
Neillsville​​​Monday through Sunday​​Less than 2 hours​Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Oakwood ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Phillips ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Rhinelander ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Stettin ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
​Stevens Point ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wisconsin Rapids ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter DXH600
​Wittenberg ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours​ Electrical Impediance/Beckman Coulter ACT5 DIFF-CP
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
85048​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.