Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Blood & iron
Monocytes test
The percentage of monocytes, white cells that clear debris and become tissue macrophages during infection and healing. Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Monocytes are white blood cells that clean up germs and worn-out cells, then move into tissues to help with healing. This shows their share of your white cells.
Why it matters for women
The range is the same for women and men. Monocytes can rise while you recover from an infection, with long-lasting infections, or with ongoing inflammation, including some autoimmune conditions, which are more common in women. A small shift on its own can be common and may not be a concern.
You might check it if…
- you’re recovering from an illness that’s dragged on
- a doctor mentioned an autoimmune or inflammatory condition
- you’ve had fevers without a clear cause
- you’re getting a routine blood count as part of a checkup
What your result may mean
High Monocytes: what it may mean
High monocytes (monocytosis) may mean your body is recovering from an infection or dealing with a long-lasting infection or inflammation. It can happen with tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, which is more common in women. Certain blood disorders can raise them too. Because this is a percentage, it can climb when other white cells fall, so a clinician may check the absolute monocyte count. A small rise on its own may not be a concern, and any symptoms can depend on the reason behind it.
Low Monocytes: what it may mean
Low monocytes (monocytopenia) may occur with acute stress, steroid medicines or bone marrow suppression, such as from chemotherapy. Some blood disorders and severe infections can lower them as well. Because this result is a share of your white cells, it can drop when neutrophils surge, even if your actual monocyte number is fine. A slightly low percentage may matter very little by itself, and there may be no symptoms. Repeated infections can be a reason for a clinician to look closer at the full white cell count.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.