Interpretation of Absolute Lymphocyte Count of 3.5 × 10⁹/L
An absolute lymphocyte count of 3.5 × 10⁹/L (3,500 cells/μL) falls within the normal reference range for adults and does not indicate any specific disease process or require immediate intervention. 1
Normal Reference Range Context
- The normal absolute lymphocyte count in adults typically ranges between 1,000-4,800 cells/μL, with some laboratory variation 1
- Your value of 3.5 × 10⁹/L (3,500 cells/μL) is comfortably within this normal range and represents a healthy lymphocyte population 1
Clinical Significance of This Value
This lymphocyte count does not meet criteria for any pathological condition:
- Lymphocytosis (elevated lymphocytes) typically requires values >5,000 cells/μL before clinical concern arises, particularly for conditions like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) 1
- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network specifically requires an absolute lymphocyte count exceeding 5,000 cells/μL of mature-appearing lymphocytes for CLL diagnosis, along with specific immunophenotypic features 1
- Lymphopenia (low lymphocytes) is defined as values <1,000 cells/μL, which is associated with adverse outcomes in various conditions including malignancies, infections, and post-transplant states 2, 3, 4
Important Interpretation Principles
Avoid over-interpreting isolated normal values:
- The American Society of Hematology recommends against over-interpreting an isolated normal laboratory value without clinical context 1
- Serial measurements may be more informative than a single value if monitoring for disease progression or treatment response 1
- Results should always be evaluated with both percentage and absolute values of blood cells 5
When Further Evaluation Would Be Warranted
Consider additional workup only if:
- The patient has unexplained symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss, lymphadenopathy) suggesting lymphoproliferative disorder 1
- Serial measurements show a rapid doubling time or progressive elevation toward >5,000 cells/μL 5
- There are other abnormal complete blood count parameters requiring investigation 6
In the absence of clinical symptoms or other laboratory abnormalities, this normal lymphocyte count requires no further action.