ALC Calculator

ALC calculator estimates the concentration of absolute lymphocytes in a specific blood volume of a patient. It is one of the indicators in CBC (Complete Blood Count) that depends upon the patient’s health and medical history. The tool calculates the ALC count in terms of cells per microlitres of blood.

What are Absolute Lymphocytes?

Absolute lymphocytes are a special kind of white blood cell that plays an important role in the defence system of the body. These cells help in the recognition and treatment of various viral infections and foreign substances that might cause severe medical problems.

The immune system is a network of lymph nodes, lymph tissues, lymphatic organs, and immune cells that are lymphocytes.

Center of Origin:

Absolute lymphocytes originate from stem cells present in the bone marrow. The process is known as the Hematopoiesis. Bone marrow is a sponge-like material that is the main platform for the production of blood cells including AL.

Types:

Absolute lymphocytes are of three types that include:

B Lymphocytes:

Beta lymphocytes produce antibodies in the immune system. These antibodies are basically neutralized pathogens such as bacteria that fight against foreign invaders.

T Lymphocytes:

T cells energize the immune system to kill cancer cells or any other substance that is taken over by viruses like HIV virus (AIDS). Such cells can lead to the production of malignant tumors in the body or HIV if they become low in count.

T cells are further classified as:

• Helper T Cells (CD4+ T Cells): The lymphocytes activate the B cells and T cells by coordinating with the immune system of the body.
• Cytotoxic T Cells (CD8+ T Cells): These cells play a major role in destroying any cancerous cells in the body. E.g. Cells infected by virus, etc.
• Regulatory T Cells (Tregs): These lymphocytic cells control the immune system so that it might not become so aggressive and damage any healthy tissues of the body.

NK (Natural Killer) Lymphocytes:

NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that directly target those cells causing malignant cancers. They naturally fight against any harmful foreign substance.

How Do You Calculate Absolute Lymphocyte Count?

The formula below helps with ALC calculation straightaway:

Absolute Lymphocytes = White Blood Cell Count x 1000 x Percent Lymphs (Expressed as a Decimal)

CD4+ Count:

This is a laboratory test that is taken to count the T lymphocytes. Medical experts use the test to check the effectiveness of ART (Antiretroviral Treatment) against Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and to monitor the destruction of CD4 cells.

Normal Range: 500 to 1500 cells/mm^3

Why CD4 Test Is Taken?

Estimating CD4 count from abs lymphs count is relatively a quicker process than the Normal Elaborate Method, which takes a lot of time to generate results. This is why the test is taken for quicker results.

How To Calculate CD4 Count From Lymphocyte Count?

With the help of the following table, you can easily correlate the values for ALC and CD4 concentration in them:

When Should I Worry About Low Lymphocytes?

• The normal range of lymphocytes is 1000 - 4800 microlitres of blood
• If the number monitored goes to fewer than 1500 per microlitres of blood, you might be suffering from Lymphopenia
• The situation even gets worse if the count decreases to 1000

ALC Normal Ranges By Age:

Disclaimer:

The results shown herein by the ALC calculator can not be considered medical advice. The calculations aid in detecting any rise or fall in the normal ALC count. It does not claim any help in the diagnosis of HIV AIDS or Lymphopenia.