In the context of a blood test, ALC refers to the absolute lymphocyte count. This is a measurement of the total number of lymphocytes present in a specific volume of blood.
Understanding Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC)
A patient's absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) is representative of the number of lymphocytes in a certain volume of blood and is usually part of a complete blood count with differential (CBC/Diff). We can provide a customized volume needed for an assay based on a patient's ALC. The ALC is a component of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential, which provides detailed information about the different types of white blood cells, including lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a crucial part of the immune system, playing a significant role in defending the body against infections and diseases.
- ALC helps in evaluating the overall health of the immune system.
- It can indicate the presence of infections, inflammation, or other medical conditions.
- Monitoring ALC is important in patients undergoing treatments that may affect the immune system, such as chemotherapy.
