You open your blood test results and see a high White Blood Cell count. Panic hits. Infection? Something worse? Let's take a moment.
Before you worry, consider hydration. Dehydration can falsely spike your WBC count, making the numbers look worse than they are.
Hemoconcentration happens when dehydration shrinks plasma in blood, thickening it and crowding cells, causing misleading test results.
Imagine a swimming pool drained halfway. Swimmers seem crowded, but their number is the same. Less water, denser blood.
Look for three signs to tell if you are just dry: High WBC, High Hematocrit, and High BUN levels in your blood test.
True infection usually brings fever and immature white cells. Dehydration causes thirst, dizziness, and only mildly raised counts.
Stop dry fasting! Leading labs recommend drinking water before lipid or glucose tests to get valid, accurate results.
Start drinking 64oz (2 liters) of water the day before your test to ensure you are well hydrated and blood results are reliable.
Drink 16oz of plain water exactly 1 hour before your appointment. It plumps veins without affecting your test results.
Hydrated veins feel bouncy and are easy to access, minimizing pain and preventing cell rupture during blood draws.
If numbers remain high after rehydrating for 2 weeks, consult your doctor. But often, water is the simple fix!
Don’t let dehydration skew your results. Drink smart, protect your veins, get accurate blood test data every time.