total leucocyte count
(T.L.C)

Sample types

• EDTA blood is needed.

• Oxalate or citrated blood can also be used.

Uses

• To differentiate between acute and chronic infection.

• To follow the patient with chemotherapy.

• To find the effect of drugs.

Precautions

1. Perform excellent daily personal hygiene to reduce your risk of getting an infection .

2. Use extra precautions to decrease the chance of injury and infection.

Interfering factors

1. Cancer and cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, can cause the bone marrow to make fewer blood cells than normal. This can lead to low blood cell counts.

2. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells .

Pre analytical errors

• If there are microclots in the sample.

• If inadequate mixing is done.

• Improper filling of the chamber.

• If the dilutions are improper.

Corrective action

Appropriate preparation of diluting solution and appropriate storage of sample .

Post analytical errors

• Mistakes in the calculations.

Corrective action

Accurate count and calculations of T.L.C

Reference ranges

• Adult /child = 5000 to 10,000 /cmm

• Child ≤2 years = 6200 to 17000 /cmm.

• Newborn = 9000 to 30,000 /cmm