Neutrophils %
What it measures, and what changes the number.
This line shows neutrophils as a proportion of all white blood cells counted. Neutrophils are the main white cells that respond quickly to bacteria and inflammation, and this figure describes how much of the white cell population they make up rather than how many there are.
It is read together with the absolute neutrophil count and the total white blood cell count, because a proportion on its own can change when another cell type such as lymphocytes rises or falls. The other differential percentages are usually printed on the same report.
Most values come from automated analysers; some labs perform a manual smear count, which can separate mature segmented neutrophils from younger band forms. Exercise, stress and sample age can affect the result. Labs may report it as Neutròfils segmentats or Neutrófilos %.
Often read alongside: Neutrophils, White blood cells, Lymphocytes %, Monocytes %, Eosinophils %