Here are five things that high absolute monocyte counts can indicate:
- Infection: Monocytes are responsible for fighting off infections, and a high absolute monocyte count may indicate that your body is currently fighting off an infection.
- Autoimmune diseases: High absolute monocyte counts are often seen in people with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.
- Inflammatory disorders: Inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or sarcoidosis, can also lead to high absolute monocyte counts.
- Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, can cause an increase in the number of monocytes in the blood.
- Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause an increase in the absolute monocyte count.