LUC Blood Test – Purpose, Normal Range and Results

You might have undergone a wide number of blood tests in the past. Have you heard about the LUC Blood Test? The blood screening is held in order to analyze the presence of the activated lymphocytes and peroxides negative cells.

What Do You Know About LUC Blood Test?

LUC is a short form for the term Large Un-sustained Cells. This term is used when peroxidase-negative white blood cells are larger than regular white blood cells yet, they cannot be called as stem cells. Therefore, they are also called as peroxidase-negative blast cells.

Which is to say that, although LUC is assessed as a part of differential white blood cells, these cells do not fit into the category of any of the leukocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils).

Large un-sustained cells or LUC often include the following types of abnormal cells

• Lymphocytes
• Hairy cells
• Plasma cells
• Virally activated lymphocytes
• Pediatric lymphocytes
• Peroxidase-negative blast cells

The cells comprise 5% of the population with white cell regulation. LUCs witness an increase, especially when there is the presence of the reactive, activated lymphocytes or mononuclear cells.

It is found that usually, the Large Unsustained Cells are reactive or large leukemic blasts or lymphocytes. During the automated lab screening of LUC blood test of the white blood cells, the large monocytes unstained cells can be noticed. The optimal range of the cells must be between 0-0.4 X 1 0E3/ML.

LUC Blood Test Preparation

Since LUC blood test is done as a part and parcel of a differential WBC (white blood cell) count test, it does not require any kind of special preparation.

No amount of fasting is required for undergoing this test. However, if you or a family member is advised to undergo this test, you may need to consult the doctor regarding discontinuation of certain medications.

LUC Blood Test Procedure

LUC blood test is generally performed at a laboratory or a clinician’s office. The test requires collection of a blood sample. The procedure for an LUC blood test is as follows

• Blood sample is usually collected from the arm.
• The nurse will clean the area of vene-puncture using alcohol on a cotton swab.
• A tourniquet will be applied to the arm above the site from where blood as to be drawn.
• A sterile needle (unpacked in your presence) is inserted into the vein and a vial is
  attached to the other end for the required amount of blood to be collected. This might
  cause a slight pin prick kind of a pain.
• Once the desired amount of blood has been collected in a vial, the tourniquet is loosened
  and the vene-punctured site is covered with a cotton swab.
• You will be required to apply slight pressure on the swab for about 5 minutes to stop
  blood from oozing out.
• The blood sample collected is then labeled with your name and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

LUC Blood Test Results and Interpretation

Normal Reference Range – 0 – 0.4 x 10 E3/ml

Any value of a LUC blood test beyond the higher value of the normal reference range is considered to be abnormal and requires immediate medical attention, timely evaluation and treatment.

A recent study which included HIV patients claimed the following

• LUC levels were found significantly raised among patients with HIV in spite of not having any signs and symptoms of HIV, not being treated for it.
• The LUC counts in such patients also showed correlation with CD4 counts (A Viral Marker for HIV).
• LUC counts, therefore, can be a valuable test in patients with a rapidly progressing HIV infection.

Another group of researchers also suggested that LUC could be present in conditions such as

• Fungal infections
• Other viral infections
• Leukemia
• Chronic renal failure
• Malaria

What Does Higher Range of the Test Indicate?

When the range or value of the blood test is on the higher end, it is an indication that there is a virus infection in your body. There are some other factors responsible as well that causes the higher value of the LUC blood test. They include

• Malaria
• Chronic renal dysfunction or failure
• Leukemia
• Post operative reaction or response

You have to understand that even if your LUC blood test value is within the normal range, it doesn’t rule out the viral infection. Every kind of virus infection that attacks your body might not increase the LUC count in your blood.