Understanding the Connection: What Deficiency Causes High Neutrophils?

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

While many assume a deficiency can cause a high white blood cell count, nutritional deficiencies are far more commonly linked to low neutrophil levels. This article clarifies the underlying causes of neutrophilia and explains what deficiency causes high neutrophils, if any, in rare, complex cases.

Quick Summary

Neutrophilia, or an elevated neutrophil count, is typically caused by infections, inflammation, or stress, not nutritional deficiencies. In contrast, deficiencies in nutrients like B12, folate, and copper are known to cause neutropenia, which is a low neutrophil count. The article explores these distinctions and discusses how diet impacts immune cell production.

Key Points

High vs. Low Neutrophils: Nutritional deficiencies most often lead to a low neutrophil count (neutropenia), not a high one.
Infection is a Key Driver: The most common cause of high neutrophils (neutrophilia) is the body's response to a bacterial or fungal infection.
Inflammation and Stress: Chronic inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and severe physical or emotional stress are also frequent causes of elevated neutrophils.
Specific Deficiencies Cause Low Counts: Deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate, and copper are known to impair white blood cell production, resulting in neutropenia.
Dietary Support: A nutrient-rich diet with lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals can support overall immune health and is particularly important for correcting deficiency-related neutropenia.
Complex Links Exist: In some rare cases, diet might influence neutrophil dynamics, but these links are complex and often involve inflammatory pathways rather than simple deficiencies causing high counts.

A high neutrophil count, a condition known as neutrophilia, is a common finding in blood tests, often signaling that the body is fighting an infection or experiencing inflammation. Unlike many health issues directly tied to dietary shortcomings, a deficiency rarely causes a sustained high neutrophil count. In fact, severe malnutrition or certain nutrient deficiencies are far more likely to cause neutropenia, a condition of low neutrophils. Understanding this distinction is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. This article delves into the primary non-nutritional reasons for neutrophilia and explores the specific nutrient deficiencies that actually lead to low neutrophil levels.

Primary Causes of High Neutrophils

The most frequent cause of neutrophilia is an underlying medical issue, not a simple lack of nutrients. Neutrophils are a key part of the innate immune system, and their levels rise naturally in response to various stressors.

Infections: This is the most common reason for a spike in neutrophils. The body sends these white blood cells to the site of bacterial or fungal infection to neutralize the threat.
Inflammation: Non-infectious inflammatory conditions can also trigger neutrophilia. This includes autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as tissue damage from burns or injuries.
Stress: Both physical and emotional stress can elevate neutrophil levels temporarily. This physiological response is your body's preparation to respond to a perceived threat and can be caused by strenuous exercise, surgery, or intense psychological distress.
Medications: Certain drugs, particularly corticosteroids and lithium, are known to increase neutrophil counts.
Bone Marrow Disorders: In some rare and more serious cases, abnormal bone marrow function can lead to an overproduction of neutrophils, as seen in conditions like chronic myeloid leukemia.

Nutrient Deficiencies That Cause Low Neutrophils (Neutropenia)

It is important to differentiate neutrophilia from neutropenia, which is a low neutrophil count. Several nutritional deficiencies directly cause neutropenia because the bone marrow needs specific vitamins and minerals to produce healthy blood cells.

Vitamin B12 and Folate: These vitamins are critical for DNA synthesis. A deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are abnormally large. A key diagnostic sign is the presence of hypersegmented neutrophils, but prolonged deficiency often results in leukopenia, which includes neutropenia. A low neutrophil count is caused by the impaired production of these cells in the bone marrow.
Copper: Copper is a vital trace mineral for many bodily functions, including immune health and blood cell formation. Severe copper deficiency is a recognized cause of neutropenia that resolves with copper repletion.
Malnutrition: Generalized malnutrition, such as that seen in restrictive eating disorders, can suppress bone marrow function and lead to low white blood cell counts, including neutropenia.
Vitamin A: While less directly linked than B12 or copper, vitamin A deficiency can alter neutrophil function and cause morphological changes, such as hypersegmentation, in animal models, though it is not a typical cause of high counts.

The Complex Relationship: Can Diet Cause Neutrophilia?

While a deficiency causing high neutrophils is atypical, some studies suggest complex, indirect links, often involving inflammatory pathways rather than direct hematopoietic effects. These are not considered primary causes and are still under research.

Vitamin D: Some clinical studies have observed an association between low vitamin D levels and increased neutrophil counts in specific contexts, such as ICU patients with COVID-19. However, this connection is likely a secondary effect related to systemic inflammation and not a direct cause of neutrophilia.
Fatty Acids: Research in mice demonstrated that a high-fat diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) caused neutrophil accumulation in the spleen by altering their movement and delaying cell death. This shows how dietary composition, beyond just a deficiency, can modulate neutrophil behavior, though its direct translation to human neutrophilia is still being investigated.

Dietary Strategies and Nutritional Support for Healthy Neutrophil Levels

For those with neutropenia caused by a deficiency, dietary intervention is key. For those with neutrophilia, a healthy diet can support the body's immune function and overall health as the underlying cause is addressed.

To address neutropenia: A diet rich in lean protein, eggs, dairy, and leafy greens is crucial for providing the building blocks for white blood cell production. Specific deficiencies like B12 or folate may require supplementation or increased intake of fortified cereals and animal products.
To support overall immune health: An anti-inflammatory diet is beneficial. This includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fatty fish (salmon), flaxseeds, and walnuts. Limiting processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol is also recommended.

Comparison of Causes: Deficiency vs. Other Factors


Feature	Neutropenia (Low Neutrophil Count)	Neutrophilia (High Neutrophil Count)
Primary Cause	Nutritional deficiencies (B12, folate, copper)	Infections (bacterial, fungal)
Secondary Cause	Bone marrow dysfunction from malnutrition	Inflammation from autoimmune disease or injury
Contributing Factor	Increased destruction or impaired maturation of cells	Stress (physical, emotional), smoking, medication use
Relevant Nutrients	B12, Folate, Copper, General Protein	Omega-3s (modulatory), Vitamin D (indirect link)
Common Treatment	Addressing the underlying cause, e.g., dietary changes or supplementation	Treating the infection, managing inflammation, reducing stress

Conclusion

In summary, the direct answer to "what deficiency causes high neutrophils?" is that none typically do. While a high neutrophil count is a sign of an active immune response to an underlying problem like an infection or inflammation, nutritional deficiencies are generally associated with low neutrophil counts, or neutropenia. For individuals with neutrophilia, the focus should be on diagnosing and treating the root cause, which can be supported by a healthy, immune-supportive diet. For those with neutropenia, targeted nutritional therapy for deficiencies like B12, folate, or copper is the most appropriate course of action. It's important to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan based on blood test results and other clinical findings.

For further information on white blood cell counts and their implications, consult reputable medical resources like the Cleveland Clinic on Neutrophilia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause of neutrophilia is an infection, particularly a bacterial one. The body increases neutrophil production to fight off the invading pathogens.

No, vitamin B12 deficiency does not cause high neutrophils. In fact, prolonged or severe B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which often results in a low neutrophil count (neutropenia) and abnormal cell morphology, like hypersegmented neutrophils.

A high neutrophil count is highly unlikely to be caused by a nutritional deficiency. It is far more probable that your body is responding to an infection, inflammation, stress, or a medication.

For low counts (neutropenia), diet can correct deficiencies in nutrients like B12, folate, or copper. For high counts, a healthy diet supports overall immune function and general health while the underlying medical cause is treated.

To support a healthy immune system, focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, can also be beneficial for immune regulation.

While a healthy, balanced diet is always beneficial, it is more important to consult a doctor to identify and treat the underlying cause of your neutrophilia. Dietary changes alone will not fix the issue if the root cause is infection or a serious medical condition.

Neutrophilia itself often has no specific symptoms. Instead, you will experience the symptoms of the condition causing it, such as fever, fatigue, or localized pain due to infection or inflammation.