Absolute Lymphocytes
The actual number of lymphocytes per microliter of blood.
| Typical reference range | 850–3,900 cells/uL |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
The absolute lymphocyte count is WBC multiplied by the lymphocyte percentage, reflecting the total circulating T, B and NK cells.
Why it matters
Low lymphocyte counts indicate reduced adaptive immunity and are associated with frailty and poorer outcomes in illness; high counts may signal viral infection or lymphoproliferative disease.
What a high result can mean
High counts occur with viral infections (mononucleosis, CMV), pertussis, smoking, post-splenectomy and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (persistent elevation, often in older adults).
What a low result can mean
Low counts occur with acute stress, corticosteroids, viral infections including HIV and COVID-19, autoimmune diseases, malnutrition, radiation, chemotherapy and immunosuppressants.
What affects the result
Stress, intense exercise and sleep deprivation temporarily lower lymphocytes. Persistent unexplained abnormalities warrant follow-up with flow cytometry.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in cells/uL.
- From x10E3/uL: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From K/uL: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From 10^3/uL: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From x10^9/L: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From 10*3/uL: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From Thousand/uL: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
- From x10E9/L: multiply by 1,000 to get cells/uL
Also called on lab reports
Lymphocytes (Absolute), Lymphocytes Absolute, Lymphs (Absolute), Lymph #, Lymphocytes, Absolute, ALC, Absolute Lymphocyte Count, Lymphs Abs
Related tests: White Blood Cells & Differential
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.