Large Immature Cells (LIC)

What is Large Immature Cells?

Large Immature Cells (LIC) measures the absolute count of large immature cells in blood, including blasts and abnormal lymphocytes. These cells are typically absent or extremely rare in healthy blood, as they normally remain in bone marrow until mature. Their presence may indicate serious hematologic conditions.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors order large immature cell counts to screen for blood cancers, bone marrow disorders, or severe infections. This parameter helps identify potentially dangerous conditions that require immediate attention, including leukemia, lymphoma, or severe bone marrow dysfunction.

Normal Ranges

Reference ranges vary by lab and methodology. Generally:

Adults: 0 × 10³/µL (typically undetectable)

Healthy individuals should have no detectable large immature cells in peripheral blood, as these cells normally complete maturation in bone marrow before release.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Normal Large Immature Cells

Undetectable levels indicate:

Normal bone marrow function
Proper cell maturation processes
No evidence of circulating abnormal cells

High Large Immature Cells

Any detectable large immature cells warrant immediate medical attention and may indicate:

Acute leukemia (blood cancer)
Lymphoma with blood involvement
Severe bone marrow disorders
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Recovery phase after chemotherapy
Severe infections with bone marrow stress

How to Track Over Time

Large immature cells require immediate medical evaluation when detected. Serial monitoring helps assess treatment response in diagnosed blood disorders and ensures early detection of disease progression or relapse. Any appearance of these cells in previously normal blood warrants urgent hematologic consultation.

Large Immature Cells