Metamyelocytes: what they are, values ​​and what they mean in the blood count

Metamyelocytes are cells normally found in the bone marrow, but can also be present in the blood in situations such as bacterial infections, changes in the bone marrow or neoplasms, for example.

Metamyelocytes are the precursors of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell responsible for increasing the body’s defenses, helping to fight infections and inflammation. Learn more about neutrophils.

The normal reference value of metamyelocytes is 0, in both men and women, and must be assessed through a complete blood count. The blood count also informs the number of other precursors of neutrophils, such as promyelocytes, myelocytes and rods.

Normal value of metamyelocytes

The normal value of metamyelocytes in the blood test, in men and women, is 0.

To find out whether the value of metamyelocytes is normal or altered, enter the results of your test into the calculator below:

What does metamyelocytes mean in the blood count?

The presence of metamyelocytes in the blood count may indicate some health problems, such as:

1. Bacterial infections

The presence of metamyelocytes in the blood test may indicate bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and leptospirosis. This is because these infections can stimulate the exaggerated production of neutrophils in the bone marrow, resulting in the release of metamyelocytes into the blood to try to fight the infection.

2. Mielofibrose

Myelofibrosis is a rare type of cancer that alters the functions of the bone marrow that causes scarring in the bone marrow, hindering the production of healthy blood cells and thus increasing metamyelocytes in the blood. Learn more about myelofibrosis.

As it is a slowly evolving disease, the symptoms of myelofibrosis generally appear when the disease is more advanced, which can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, paleness, fever, night sweats or weight loss, for example.

3. Chronic myeloid leukemia

Metamyelocytes may also be present in the blood count during chronic myeloid leukemia, which is a type of cancer caused by a genetic change in the bone marrow, causing the abnormal growth and division of blood cells. Understand better about chronic myeloid leukemia.

4. Because

Sepsis, or septicemia, is an exaggerated inflammation of the body due to an infection, which leads to an increased need for neutrophils in the body, increasing metamyelocytes in the blood and causing symptoms such as fever, decreased blood pressure and confusion. Learn more about the symptoms of septicemia.