Variations in HB, PCV, TLC and TPC

Increased HB
Increased level of haemoglobin is called polycythaemia. Causes of polycythaemia include:
• Being at a very high altitude
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Certain types of tumour
• Heart or lung disease that causes a low oxygen level in the body

Decreased HB
Decreased level of haemoglobin is called Anaemia. Causes of polycythaemia include:
• Nutrient deficiencies through inadequate diets or inadequate absorption of nutrients
• Infections (e.g. malaria, parasitic infections, tuberculosis, HIV)
• Inflammation
• Chronic diseases
• Gynaecological and obstetric conditions
• Inherited red blood cell disorders

Increased PCV
• All cases of polycythaemia such as new-borns and high altitude
• Hypoxia due to lung and heart diseases
• Congestive heart failure
• Burns (loss of plasma)
• Dehydration after severe exercise
• Emotional stress

Decreased PCV
• All types of anaemia.
• Pregnancy (due to haemodilution)
• Ingestion of large amounts of water

Increased TLC
Increased leukocyte count is called leucocytosis. It is seen in the following conditions:
• Normal infants: The count may be as high as 18–20,000/mm3 but it returns to normal level within
1–2 years.
• Food intake and digestion (“digestive leucocytosis”): There is a mild increase which returns to
normal within an hour or so.
• Physical exercise.
• Mental stress.
• Pregnancy: The count may be quite high, especially during the first pregnancy.
• Parturition: The high TLC is possibly due to tissue injury, pain, physical stress, and haemorrhage.
• Extremes of temperatures: Exposure to sun, or to very low temperature can increase the WBC count.

Decreased TLC
Decreased leukocyte count is called Leukopenia. A decrease in TLC under normal physiological conditions
is unusual and rare. Exposure to extreme cold, even under arctic conditions and in spite of acclimatization,
may reduce the count to only slightly below the 4000/mm3 level.
Increased TPC
Increased platelet count is called Thrombocytosis. Thrombocytosis is driven by overproduction of
thrombopoietin, interleukin-6, other cytokines, or catecholamines in inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic
conditions or in situations of stress. It is seen in the following conditions:
• Blood loss.
• Cancer.
• Infections.
• Iron deficiency.
• Removal of your spleen.
• Haemolytic anaemia
• Inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Surgery and other types of traumas.

Increased TPC
Decreased platelet count is called Thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia might occur as a result of a bone
marrow disorder such as leukemia or an immune system problem. Or it can be a side effect of taking certain
medications. It affects both children and adults. It is seen in the following conditions:
• Dehydration, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
• Leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or aplastic anemia
• Decreased production of thrombopoietin by the liver in liver failure
• Sepsis, systemic viral or bacterial infection
• Leptospirosis