How to Calculate Absolute Granulocyte Count

Granulocytes, also called neutrophils or polys, are the most common type of white blood cell. White blood cells kill bacteria, fungus or viruses that may enter the body. Other types of white blood cells include lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils and monocytes. Granulocytes and young granulocytes (called band cells) mostly attack bacteria. Knowing the absolute granuloyte count is helpful for people with health conditions that might impair their ability to fight off infection.

Things You'll Need

• Laboratory results sheet
• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Find the number that is printed next to granulocytes (or neutrophils or polys). Write that down. If this number is written as a percent, move the decimal point two spaces to the left. For example, if the number next to granulocytes is 45 percent, change it to 0.45.

• 2

  If there are band neutrophils, find and write that number underneath. Move the decimal point if it is a percent. For example, if the number is 7 percent, change it to 0.07.

• 3

  Add them together. For example, 0.45 plus 0.07 equals 0.52

• 4

  Find the number of white blood cells. This is usually called WBC on a lab sheet, with the units written as thousands per cubic milliliter (K/uL) or thousands/mm3. Move the decimal three places to the right. For example, if the WBC is 6.5/mm3, change it to 6,500.

• 5

  Multiply the total number from adding granulocytes and band cells by the white blood cell number. The result is the absolute granulocyte count. For example, 6,500 times 0.52 equals 3,380.