Blood Test Question

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Al Rahbar - 11 Oct 2004 20:08 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I recently had a blood test done in a hospital and it had relative and
absolute number for WBC differential.

Can someone please explain to me what's the relationship between these
two.

As the relative of Lymph was below the normal value but the absolute
value was within range.

Thanks
Al

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Robert - 11 Oct 2004 23:02 GMT

> Hi Everyone,
>
> I recently had a blood test done in a hospital and it had relative and
> absolute number for WBC differential.

The relative is expressed as a percentage of the type of white cells
present.
The absolute number is derived from the relative percent multiplied by the
total number of white cells.

> Can someone please explain to me what's the relationship between these
> two.

You need to know the relative percent in order to get the absolute number.

> As the relative of Lymph was below the normal value but the absolute
> value was within range.
>
> Thanks
> Al

This would indicate a somewhat higher percentage of other cell types with
the absolute number of lymphocytes within the reference range. You do not
have a reduced number of lymphocytes which would be implied by the lowered
percentage of lymphocytes.
Relative percentages of cell types are important when noting atypical
lymphocytes in relationship to mononucleosis where greater than 50% of
lymphocytosis or greater than 10 atypical lymphocytes are present
(Hoagland's criteria).
There are many normal and abnormal processes that can alter the differential
ratio so absolute numbers are in general more relevant.

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