Monocytes (%)
Monocytes (%) is the proportion of your white blood cells that are monocytes, larger immune cells that mature into macrophages and help clean up pathogens and debris. It's part of the white blood cell differential.
Monocytes act as the immune system's cleanup and coordination crew, engulfing microbes and helping direct the broader immune response. Their share of white cells offers clues about ongoing or recovering infections and inflammation.
An above-range monocyte percentage (monocytosis) can accompany chronic infections, inflammatory or autoimmune conditions, and the recovery phase after an infection. Because it's a proportion, it's best interpreted with the absolute monocyte count.
A below-range percentage is often not clinically significant on its own, though it can occur with certain marrow conditions or after some treatments.
Monocytes typically make up roughly 2-8% of white cells in adults, shifting with the rest of the differential. Read it together with the absolute count and your clinician's interpretation.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.