Appendix, Appendicitis, TLC - How are They All Related?

Are TLC and appendix related somehow? If so, how?
TLC is the total number of white blood cells in your blood. White blood cells are mini soldiers, that defend our bodies against virus and infection. If the TLC (white blood cells number) is high, what does it mean?

TLC stands for Total Leukocyte Count. Leukocyte is the scientific name used for white blood cells. The normal range of white blood cells in blood (TLC) is 4000-11000/cmm .

White blood cells (leukocytes) are the soldier cells of the body that fight against the harmful bacteria and virus that gain entry into the body. The way we find out if there is infecting bacteria in our body is by the means of finding out our TLC. The number of white blood cells (soldier cells) multiplies and increases during infection and consequent inflammation!

The effect of these white blood cells on the infective agents is such that it causes inflammation of the infected body part. Inflammation is a response of the body to infection. Any medical condition that ends with -itis is an inflammatory condition (work of white blood cells) e.g bronchitis (inflammation of bronchi/air ways of body) , appendicitis (inflammation of appendix - a dead-end, pouch-like area of large intestine) etc.

Coming to appendicitis, it is a potentially fatal condition. If the appendix becomes infected with bacteria (coming with the food usually and getting stuck here while passing through this area of digestive tract), the white blood cells cause inflammation of this area leading to the condition known as appendicitis. In this condition, the appendix becomes swollen, sometimes to many times its original size. Although the inflammatory response by white blood cells kills off the bacteria, the inflamed and swollen appendix, with all the debris in it is liable to burst any time and must be removed through surgery.

So we find out by learning all this information that TLC and appendicitis is linked. If you feel a pain around the lower right abdomen, or around your belly button area, with simultaneously increased TLC in your blood work, your doctor would suggest you immediately get your appendix removed.

People who have had their appendices removed, lead normal lives.