Conversion of 1.7 × 10^9/L to cells/μL for Absolute Lymphocyte Count
1.7 × 10^9/L equals 1,700 cells/μL for an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC). 1
Explanation of the Conversion
The conversion from 10^9/L to cells/μL is straightforward:
Clinical Context of Absolute Lymphocyte Count
Understanding this conversion is important in various clinical scenarios:
- In HIV monitoring, ALC can be used as a surrogate marker for CD4 counts, especially in resource-limited settings 2
- For chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the typical diagnostic threshold is an ALC >5.0 × 10^9/L (5,000 cells/μL), though cases with lower counts (CLL-LLC) can occur 3
- In COVID-19 patients, lymphopenia (decreased ALC) is a common finding, with values often below 0.8 × 10^9/L (800 cells/μL) 1
- For heart transplant patients, an ALC below 610 cells/μL (0.61 × 10^9/L) is associated with increased risk of cytomegalovirus infection 4
Reporting Standards
When reporting laboratory values:
- ALC should be reported as both a percentage of total lymphocytes and as an absolute count when available 1
- Values can be expressed in either 10^9/L (SI units) or cells/μL (conventional units) 1
- The conversion factor (1 × 10^9/L = 1,000 cells/μL) is standard across hematology laboratories 1
Clinical Significance of ALC Value 1.7 × 10^9/L (1,700 cells/μL)
An ALC of 1.7 × 10^9/L (1,700 cells/μL) is generally within the normal range for adults, as:
- Normal ALC typically ranges between 1.0-4.0 × 10^9/L (1,000-4,000 cells/μL) 1
- This value would not indicate lymphopenia, which is often defined as ALC <1.0 × 10^9/L (1,000 cells/μL) 1, 5
- In the context of acute illnesses, an ALC >1.37 × 10^9/L (1,370 cells/μL) is associated with better outcomes in conditions like acute necrotizing pancreatitis 5