Ask your doctor

One card. Your number, the ranges, and the seven questions.

Type your count below and the card fills itself in. Then print it, cut once, and keep it with your insurance card so the question is always with you.

Check my number Blank PDF

Fits a standard card slot: 3.375 × 2.125 in. Front: ranges and your numbers. Back: the questions.

Step 1 · Check your number

Where does your count fall?

Find "Lymphocytes, absolute" (or "Lymphs #", "ALC") on your CBC with differential. Enter it either way your lab prints it: cells/µL like 525, or thousands like 0.53.

Numbers under 20 are read as K/µL (thousands) and converted. Nothing you type leaves your device.

Enter a number to see its zone.

The zones follow the CTCAE v5 grading every U.S. cancer trial uses, and the common adult reference range (about 1,000–4,800 cells/µL). Your own lab's range is printed on your report; use that if it differs.

Sources: CTCAE v5.0 (NCI); Cleveland Clinic. Educational, not medical advice.

Step 2 · Your card

Print it at actual size.

Your numbers above appear on the front automatically. Choose "Actual size" or 100% scale, not "Fit to page." Card stock is best; ordinary paper works.

LymphocyteCount.orgAbsolute lymphocyte count · ALC

"What is my absolute lymphocyte count?"

WhereCBC with differential → "Lymphocytes, absolute" Minebaseline ______ latest ______ date ______
Already on every routine blood panelNot medical advice

Questions for my oncologist

  1. What is my absolute lymphocyte count? Is it below 1,000?
  2. Was it normal before treatment? Please note my baseline.
  3. Will my chemo or radiation lower it? Can we limit that?
  4. Does my count affect how well immunotherapy works?
  5. How often will we recheck it during and after treatment?
  6. If it is low, do I need extra infection precautions?
  7. Am I eligible for the Anktiva expanded-access program or a trial that restores lymphocytes?
Sources: lymphocytecount.org/patients.htmlNot medical advice
Download blank PDF Share the card

What the zones mean

Five zones, one question each.

1,000 and upNormal for most adult labs. Ask that your baseline be written down before treatment starts.
800–999 · grade 1Mild lymphopenia. Ask when it will be rechecked and whether treatment is expected to lower it further.
500–799 · grade 2Moderate. Ask about infection precautions and whether the plan can spare lymphocytes.
200–499 · grade 3Severe. Studies tie counts here to worse survival; ask what can be done to restore them.
Under 200 · grade 4Very severe. Talk with your care team promptly about protection and recovery.

Grades from CTCAE v5.0; prognosis from the evidence page. Cells/µL and cells/mm³ are the same unit.

Step 3 · Use it

Then hand it across the desk.

Print

Both cards, one sheet

They print at true size, 3.375 × 2.125 inches, the same as a credit card. Cut on the border and tuck the pair together.

Update

Every CBC, add a number

A trend is more useful than one value. Come back to this page with each new report; the card refills in seconds.

Ask

Seven questions, sourced

The source for every question is one page away if your doctor wants it. Then give a card to someone else in the waiting room.

The card is a prompt, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by laboratory; use the range printed on your own report. Nothing here replaces your care team's judgment (CTCAE grades, NCI; ranges, Cleveland Clinic).