ANC is the estimated number of neutrophil granulocytes (also known as polymorphonuclear cells, PMN's, segmented neutrophils, polys, granulocytes, and segs) in the blood. In shorter words, the neutrophil is the type of white blood cell that fights against infection.
Furthermore, white blood cells are of 5 types:
The neutrophil is of two types; segmented neutrophil and bands. The one basic function of Neutrophils is that they fight with infections causing antigens. Other WBCs kill parasites, manage allergic responses, and most of the time repair, recycle damaged, worn-out cells.
Using WBC alone to check for the risk of infection is less precise as compared to ANC. This count indicates and tells if a person needs treatment, also growth factors (known as G-CSFs or granulocyte-colony stimulating factors) just like Neupogen, or Granocyte which stimulate white Blood cells production.
If you are going through major transplants like radiation, chemotherapy, or bone marrow or stem cell transplant or an anti-cancer treatment; the condition of your immune system is measured by your ANC.
Moreover, if a patient is having a low ANC count then the patient is said to be experiencing neutropenic or suffering from neutropenia.
Neutropenia is classified into three types; severe, mild and moderate. As the seriousness surges the importance to avoid source of infection increase as well.
The absolute Neutrophil count is most probably present in the CBC report from the labs. If not you can as your doctor, treatment center to provide you with your ANC.
However, there are four ways to learn your ANC:
| Combination ofCounts | Use | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Neutrophils but not Band neutrophils | Formula 1 | This assumes that NEUT means Total neutrophils. If you also have a value for SEGS, you can confirm this by checking that NEUT is the sum of SEGS + BANDS |
| Neutrophils and Band neutrophils | Formula 1 or Formula 2 | It's not clear if NEUT means Total neutrophils (Formula 1) or segmented neutrophils (Formula 2). You may be able to tell by checking which percentages add up to 100%. To be certain, ask your lab or doctor to tell you which case applies. |
| Segmented neutrophils and Band neutrophils | Formula 3 | We don't need to use the NEUT value in this case because Total neutrophil percentage - Segmented neutrophil percentage + Band neutrophil percentage = SEGS% + BANDS% |
| Polys but not Neutrophils or Band neutrophils | Formula 4 | This assumes that POLY means Total neutrophils. If you also have a value for SEGS, you can confirm this by checking that NEUT the sum of SEGS + BANDS |
| polys and Band neutrophils but not Neutrophils | Formula 4 or Formula 5 | It's not clear if POLY means Total neutrophils (Formula 4) or segmented neutrophils (Formula 5), You may be able to tell by checking which percentages add up to 100%, To be certain, ask your lab or doctor to tell you which case applies, |
There are different ANC equations used for calculations. The most abundantly used is:
ANC = WBC × Multiplier × Neutrophil percentage
Whereas:
Use your lab report and search for the combinations of white blood cells types in the report and use the formula according to it. This chart can help you determine the case and use the formula according to it.
These formulas according to each case are listed respectively:
Using these formulas, you can compute your neutrophil’s absolute count easily or you can use our Online ANC calculator.
Our online tools are widely used to solve queries according to medical or non-medical.
You can calculate your ANC blood easily by just grabbing your lab reports and putting values in the provided area i.e. neutrophil, bands and white blood cells count. Afterward, the tool will show you the results in cells/mm3.
The severity of ANC can be determined by the value. ANC value above 1500 is said to be a normal ANC with no neutropenia. Below the value show mild, moderate and severe cases.
The different types of blood cells have different normal neutrophil count percentage.
Here is the interpretation of ANC and severity according to each range.
| ANC Range | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 500 | severe neutropenia | |
| 500 to 1000 | moderate neutropenia | |
| 1000 to 1500 | mild neutropenia | Some treatment centers consider 1000 to 1500 •below normal" and others "normal". |
| 1500 to 1800 | no neutropenia | Most treatment centers consider 1500 to 1800 "normal' while a few consider it "below normal". |
| 1800 and above | no neutropenia | "Normal" range |
You can check your tests by yourself and use this chart to know the severity and need to see a doctor. According to the condition you might need some specific treatments and lifestyle changes like neutropenic diet, traveling and so on.
1800 cells/mm3 is the normal neutrophil count considered by every treatment center. In severe cases, it can even reach zero.
Treatment and risk of infection are done according to the neutrophil count percentage.
Severe neutropenia involves some specific treatment and lifestyle changes referred by the doctor.