Leukocytosis

It may also occur after strenuous exercise, convulsions such as epilepsy, emotional stress, pregnancy and labor, anesthesia, as a side effect of medication (e.g., lithium), and epinephrine administration.

The proportion of immature leukocytes increases due to proliferation and inhibition of granulocyte and monocyte precursors in the bone marrow which is stimulated by several products of inflammation including C3a and G-CSF.

This fact shows suppression of bone marrow activity, as a hematological sign specific for pernicious anemia and radiation sickness.

[10] Leukocytosis is an expected finding in healthy women during the post-partum period and is not a cause for alarm unless accompanied by clinical manifestations of infection.

[citation needed] While treatment is usually not necessary in the majority of cases, hyperleukocytosis (WBC count > 50 or 100 × 109/L), which can be seen in some leukemic patients, is treated to prevent leukostasis.