Peripheral Blood Findings in Thyrotoxicosis

Peripheral blood findings (Hematocrit, white blood cell count, platelet count and formula) were evaluated in 116 patients with thyrotoxicosis and compared with controls. Mean hematocrit (39%) was within normal limits although it was lower than controls. White blood cell count (6109/cumm) was also within normal limits. Percentage and number of neutrophils in patients (50.4%-3113/cumm) were lower than controls (69.6%-4013/cumm). However percentage and number of lymphocytes in patients (43.9%-2669/cumm) were higher than controls (27%-1560). 73% of the patients had atypical mononuclear cells in their peripheral blood smears. These parameters were not different between diffuse and nodular thyrotoxicosis. Platelet count below 150000/cumm was found in only 3 cases.