Which blood count is typically elevated in appendicitis?

In cases of appendicitis, the white blood cell (WBC) count is typically elevated. This increase is part of the body's immune response to infection or inflammation, signaling that the body is fighting off an infection, which is often the case with an inflamed appendix.

During appendicitis, the appendix can become obstructed, leading to bacterial overgrowth and inflammation. As a result, the body responds by producing more white blood cells to combat the infection, which reflects a common hematological finding in this condition. An elevated WBC count is often used in clinical settings as part of the diagnosis for appendicitis, as it helps indicate the presence of an infection or inflammatory response.

On the other hand, hemoglobin levels, red blood cells, and platelet counts may not show significant changes directly related to appendicitis. While they can be influenced in various ways by different factors or conditions, they are not specific indicators of appendicitis in the same way that an elevated white blood cell count is.