1. What is Absolute Lymph Count?

Absolute Lymph Count (ALC) is a calculation that determines the actual number of lymphocytes in the blood. It's derived 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 response to therapy, and evaluating conditions like lymphopenia or lymphocytosis. It provides more clinically relevant information than the percentage alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter WBC count in cells/μL and lymphocyte percentage. Both values must be valid (WBC > 0, lymph % between 0-100).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal absolute lymphocyte count?
A: Normal ALC ranges from 1,000 to 4,800 cells/μL in adults, though this can vary by age and laboratory reference ranges.

Q2: What conditions cause low ALC (lymphopenia)?
A: Lymphopenia can be caused by viral infections, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, chemotherapy, and conditions like HIV/AIDS.

Q3: What conditions cause high ALC (lymphocytosis)?
A: Lymphocytosis can occur in viral infections, certain bacterial infections, leukemia, lymphoma, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Q4: How often should ALC be monitored?
A: Frequency depends on the clinical context. It's often monitored during chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy, or when managing conditions affecting lymphocyte counts.

Q5: Are there limitations to ALC calculation?
A: ALC provides the total lymphocyte count but doesn't differentiate between lymphocyte subtypes (T cells, B cells, NK cells), which may be important in specific clinical situations.