THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED

Interpreting the TLC and DLC test results

Reference range:

The reference range for the TLC & DLC test is given below:

Tests	Normal Range
TLC At birth 1-3 years 4-7 years 8-12 years Adults	10,000-25,000/cu mm 6,000-18,000/cu mm 6,000-15,000/cu mm 4,500-13,500/cu mm 4000-10500/cu mm
DLC Neutrophils Lymphocytes Eosinophils Monocytes Basophils	40-80 % 20-40% 1-6 % 2-10 % 0-1 %

 

Different factors are responsible for determining the normal range of leukocyte count, including age, gender, health state, history of previous ailments, vaccines, etc. The range also may vary among different laboratories.

WBC count in the blood can be influenced by various ailments, such as immune system disorders, autoimmune conditions, cancer, etc. In some instances, more than one type of the white blood cell may be present in abnormal amounts.

Differential leukocyte count is used for diagnosing different diseases in the body. Further tests might be done to confirm the DLC test results and also to provide therapy.

Leukocytosis refers to an elevation in TLC by more than 10,000/cu mm.

Leucopenia refers to a decrease in TLC by less than 4,000/cu mm.

Leukocytosis can be caused due to:

Inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis; allergies; different types of cancer, including leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Conditions that lead to necrosis (tissue death), including severe burns, trauma, surgery, etc.

Smoking, doing excessive exercise, pregnancy, intaking drugs like corticosteroids, epinephrine, heparin, lithium, etc.

Leukopenia can be caused due to:

Myelo suppression as a result of poisons, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Bone marrow problems that restrain the production of leukocytes, including myelodysplastic syndrome, deficiency of vitamin B12, etc.

Neutrophil Count:

Decreased levels of neutrophil, commonly known as neutropenia, can occur during aplastic anemia, autoimmune disorders, drug reactions, or chemotherapy.

Increased levels of neutrophil, commonly known as neutrophilia, can occur during acute bacterial infections, inflammation, and burns.

Lymphocyte Count

Decreased levels of lymphocytes, commonly known as lymphopenia, can occur during bone marrow damage, aplastic anemia, autoimmune disorders.

Increased levels of lymphocytosis, commonly known as lymphopenia, can occur during acute viral infections, tuberculosis, lymphocytic leukemia.

Monocyte Count

Decreased levels of monocytes are rare to be found.

Increased levels of monocytes, commonly known as monocytosis, can occur during chronic infections like tuberculosis, bacterial endocarditis, collagen vascular disorders, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Eosinophil Count

Decreased levels of eosinophil are rare to be found.

Increased levels of eosinophil, commonly known as eosinophilia, can occur during asthma, allergies, drug reactions, and parasitic infections.

Basophil Count

Decreased levels of basophil are rare to be found.

Increased levels of basophil, commonly known as basophilia, can occur during chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).