The white blood cell count is the first item in the blood count. The peripheral blood contains white blood cells and when certain factors affect the body, the white blood cell count can rise. It has a normal range, which is indicated on the test sheet, between 4-10×10^9 cells/L, or 3.5-9.5×10^9 cells/L. Depending on the laboratory, this normal range may vary somewhat. So the main thing to look for in an elevated white blood cell count is whether it is above this normal range. However, if some people have a relatively low basal white blood cell such as only 3.5-4.5 x 10^9 cells/L, and if it rises to 9-10 x 10^9 cells/L, it may also be elevated.