1. What is Absolute Lymphocyte Count?

Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) is a measurement of the actual number of lymphocytes in the blood. It's calculated from the total white blood cell count and the percentage of lymphocytes in the differential count.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ALC formula:

Where:

• \( WBC \) — White Blood Cell count (cells/μL)
• \( Lymph\% \) — Percentage of lymphocytes in differential count (%)

Explanation: The formula converts the percentage of lymphocytes to an absolute count by multiplying it with the total white blood cell count.

3. Importance of ALC Calculation

Details: ALC is important for assessing immune function, monitoring certain diseases like HIV/AIDS, evaluating response to therapy, and identifying lymphopenia or lymphocytosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter WBC count in cells/μL and lymphocyte percentage from the differential count. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal ALC range?
A: Normal ALC typically ranges from 1,000 to 4,800 cells/μL in adults, but this can vary by age and laboratory.

Q2: What does a low ALC indicate?
A: Low ALC (lymphopenia) may indicate viral infections, autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, or immunosuppressive therapy.

Q3: What does a high ALC indicate?
A: High ALC (lymphocytosis) may indicate viral infections, certain leukemias, or chronic inflammatory conditions.

Q4: How often should ALC be monitored?
A: Frequency depends on the clinical situation. It's often monitored during chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, or in chronic conditions affecting immunity.

Q5: Are there limitations to ALC calculation?
A: ALC provides a quantitative measure but doesn't assess lymphocyte function or subtypes. Additional tests may be needed for complete immune evaluation.