Total Leukocyte Count is the tlc full form. The total leukocyte count is the average number of white blood cells in your body. This measure can be used to determine how well you’re doing on treatments for cancer, infections or other illnesses that affect this system-wide indicator known as “the immune response.”
The total leukocyte count is also a marker used to test for hemophilia, an inherited disorder that prevents blood from clotting normally. In this case, low white cell counts could signal the beginning of a potentially dangerous complication known as hemarthrosis, or internal bleeding into joints and tissues.
- A Total Leukocyte Count is a type of blood test that measures the number of white blood cells in your body.
- This test can be used to diagnose or monitor conditions such as infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.
- Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms like fever, weakness, weight loss, night sweats, and chills.
- The normal range for a Total Leukocyte Count is 4500-10 000 cells/mm³ (cells per millimeter).
- If you are diagnosed with an infection or cancer, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs to treat it.
- If you’re having any other symptoms that concern you about your health please call your doctor today.
Typically, many different types of white blood cells are present in the body, so if you’re having an infection or illness, different types of infections affect different components of the total leukocyte count. For example, leukemia tends to lower neutrophils (one type of granulocyte) and lymphocytes, while mono lowers lymphocytes only.
To determine what component has been lowered enough to cause symptoms, lab technicians will need to do a complete differential on the individual cell types before they can come up with a final number for your total leukocyte count.
The normal range is:
- 5,000-10,000 cells per microliter (mcL) of blood for children aged 1-14 years.
- 3,500-7,500 cells/mcL for people aged 15-65 years.
- 2,500-5,000 cells/mcL for those over the age of 65.
white blood cell count of 22,000 means
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are a type of white blood cell and the most abundant type in vertebrates. When the white blood cell count becomes too high it becomes an infection that requires medical attention.
The body tissues normally protect our cells from injury and invasion by infectious agents. Sometimes, however, these tissue defenses cannot handle certain invaders (viruses and bacteria). The defense mechanisms then enlist different types of white blood cells to produce specific antibodies that fight the invading organisms. If no organisms invade for a period of time (months to years), those particular defensive cells may start to grow more quickly than they would otherwise but will not be as effective as if antigens (foreign substances) had been present continuously to provide stimulation.
- White blood cells are important in fighting infection.
- The higher the number, the more white blood cells there are in your body.
- Low numbers of white blood cells can cause an increased risk of infections.
- High numbers of white blood cells may indicate a chronic illness or inflammation somewhere in the body.
- Consult with your doctor if you have any questions about this number and what it means for your health.
How to increase white blood cell count?
Exercise. Studies show that moderate to vigorous physical exercise increases the number of white blood cells that inhabit our body, and moderate to vigorous physical activity is known to increase markers of immune system function such as neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells. Long-term studies also indicate a lower incidence of infectious illness in exercising individuals.
Additionally, many people find exercise reduces stress, which can boost immunity by lowering cortisol levels and reducing inflammatory responses like cytokines. The bottom line? Increase your white blood cell count with an exercise routine you enjoy.
High WBC count
A large number of white blood cells could indicate that the body’s immune system has been working hard to remove the infection. It may be an indication of emotional or physical stress or cancerous tumors for those suffering from particular blood cancers . They have higher than normal levels of these cells, as they help fight against any cancerous cells they encounter. They also maintain their health despite such intense symptoms.
Normal WBC count by age
If the expected number of white blood cells are always low or low, that’s usually a sign of some kind of condition. If the number is higher than average for that age group, it suggests an illness. Below are some general guidelines about what counts as “normal” for different ages.
- 0-1 yr old: 5000-12000 wbc/mm^3.
- 2-5 yrs old: 5000 – 9000 wbc/mm^3.
- 6 months to 16 years old: 3500 – 10000 wbc/mm^3. Children aged 1 year up to 5 years have more immature neutrophils in their blood compared to adults.