TLC in Blood: Normal and Abnormal Levels, Symptoms, Causes

The TLC test or Total Leucocyte Count is an important parameter to understand levels of white blood cells or WBCs or leucocytes in the blood. In case you are showing symptoms of high TLC, then it might suggest that your immune system is hyperactivated. 

So, in this blog post, we are going to understand in-depth the TLC and how it helps in identifying your body’s defence mechanisms. 

What is TLC in Blood Tests?

TLC test, or Total Leucocyte Count, is the number of white blood cells or leucocytes present per microlitre (µL) of your blood. These cells are extremely essential for understanding your body’s immune strength in fighting infections and inflammation.

Therefore, if you show symptoms of high TLC in blood, it means you are suffering from leucocytosis. Leucocytosis means that you have an overactive immune system, and in many cases, it also shows that there are underlying inflammation or infections in the immune system. 

Moreover, the symptoms of high TLC in blood are also possible if you are taking certain kinds of drugs like corticosteroids and lithium. If you are seeing an elevation of TLC in the blood, it is better to contact a professional and opt for an appropriate treatment regimen. 

What is the Normal Range of Total Leucocyte Count?

The TLC normal range in female or males varies only slightly, and it falls in the range of 4.000 to 11,000 White Blood Cells/µL. However, there are minor variations which are mostly influenced by the following: 

• Changes in the hormonal cycles of females might occur in cases of pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and other conditions. 
• Stress and other lifestyle factors (like smoking and drinking) might also create multiple problems. 
• Any existing health conditions which can affect the immune function 
• The TLC in the case of pregnant females might increase a bit from 12,000 to 15,000 WBCS/µL, which occurs due to immune adaptations. 

When Should I Get My Total Leucocyte Count Tested?

• Infections

In case you are facing persistent infections or other problems like fever, body aches, and fatigue, then your doctor might recommend a TLC test. In case you are seeing persistently increased  levels of TLC after periodic testing, it indicates that you have some kind of infection in your body. 

• Monitoring Chronic Illness 

For patients who already have chronic illnesses or infections, like autoimmune disorders or inflammatory conditions, then it suggests a requirement for a TLC blood test urgently. If you find any changes in the TLC which is outside the normal range, it suggests inflammation and other problems as well. 

• Pre-operative Tests 

The WBC count is checked with the use of a TLC test before surgical procedures to understand your body’s immune strength. This is crucial as there are risks of minor contaminations (if any), and the test indicates your body’s immune strength to combat such infections. Moreover, this assessment is also important to understand if your body is going to recover soon from such complications. 

• Important Test in Chronic Respiratory Illness

In case your respiratory system is affected by problems such as Asthma, a TLC test is recommended by the doctors to understand the immune response. People who have Asthma must conduct periodic TLC tests to understand allergic conditions and respiratory diseases. 

Factors to Keep in Mind for a Total Leucocyte Count Test?

The preparation for the TLC test is relatively straightforward, and it involves the following: 

1. The healthcare provider must be made aware of your medical case record or patient history.
2. The healthcare provider may opt for fasting or have a normal diet before the test, as you may require. 
3. Staying hydrated ensures that blood viscosity levels are optimum for the collection and processing of blood. 
4. Please note that this is just a normal blood test, so you need to relax and not panic.

Please note that the TLC test is one of those tests that must be conducted periodically every 2-3 months. 

Final Words 

Monitoring the immune system through TLC tests is important to make sure that your body’s immune strength is preserved. Additionally, it is also important to maintain your lifestyle choices properly so that immune-related disorders do not occur.

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