Monocytes
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that circulate in the blood and move into tissues, where they become macrophages that engulf microbes and debris. This line is the absolute monocyte count: the number of monocytes in a given volume of blood.
It is part of the complete blood count with differential and is read alongside the total white blood cell count, the monocyte percentage and the other white cell types such as neutrophils and lymphocytes. The absolute count is derived from the total white count and the monocyte percentage.
The sample is collected in an EDTA tube and fasting is not required. Long delays before analysis can change how the analyzer classifies white cells, and different analyzers can give slightly different differentials. Labs may print it as Monocitos or Monòcits absolut.
Often read alongside: White blood cells, Monocytes %, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils