Large Unstained Cells (LUC) Unit Converter

Large unstained cells (LUC) are a small population of white blood cells identified by automated hematology analyzers during a complete blood count (CBC) with differential. These cells are larger than typical lymphocytes and do not take up the standard peroxidase stain used to classify white blood cells.

The absolute LUC count measures the total number of these cells per unit volume of blood, reported in ×10⁹/L. LUCs typically include atypical or reactive lymphocytes, blasts, immature granulocytes, plasma cells, or other abnormal circulating cells that do not fit into the standard white blood cell categories.

In healthy individuals, very few or no large unstained cells are present in the blood. An elevated count may signal that the immune system is actively responding to an infection, or it may indicate the presence of abnormal cells that require further investigation.

Large unstained cells originate from the bone marrow, where all white blood cells are produced. They represent a mixed group of circulating cells, including activated lymphocytes, immature granulocytes, blasts, and plasma cells, that have entered the bloodstream.