What does LBC mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

A lamellar body count is a measure of pulmonary surfactant, which is a material that helps the lungs expand during inhalation and reduce air leakage during exhalation. It measures the number of lamellar bodies (LBs) in one milliliter of lung fluid, and is used to diagnose and monitor various diseases.

A lamellar body count test is performed by collecting fluid from the alveoli of the lung using a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedure. BAL involves instilling a saline solution into the lungs and retrieving it for examination under a microscope. The number of LBs will then be counted and recorded in order to determine the amount of surfactant present in the sample.

A lamellar body count is used to diagnose certain types of diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Other conditions such as asthma, bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary edema may also be evaluated through this test.

Normal range levels for LB counts vary depending on age and gender, but generally range between 80-150 LBs/ml in newborns, 50-100 LBs/ml in adults, and up to 300 LBs/ml in very elderly patients.

Yes, low concentrations of LBs/ml can indicate surfactant deficiency or increased permeability or both. In cases like these, additional tests may be required to confirm if there are other underlying causes for the results.

The risks associated with taking a lamellar body count test are similar to those associated with any bronchoscopy procedure including bleeding, infection, tissue trauma or reaction due to sedatives used during the procedure. However, these risks are minimal when performed by an experienced physician under sterile conditions.

Certain medications have been known to affect lamellar body counts so it is important for your doctor to know if you are currently taking any medications before undergoing this test. It's also important that you follow all pre-testing instructions given by your doctor regarding any dietary restrictions or fasting periods prior the testing session.

The results usually take about 10 minutes after collection of lung fluid sample has been completed but sometimes it could take longer depending on how much fluid has been retrieved during BAL procedure as well as laboratory workload at time sample processed.

Your doctor will interpret your results after examination of your sample under microscope alongside other findings from any other tests you might have had done recently such as chest x-rays or spirometry tests thus assisting them in diagnosing and monitoring what condition you might have or had previously experienced from diagnosis to treatment stage etc..

Yes; depending on what condition was diagnosed using your results from this test relevant treatments would be offered by your physician including medication or physical therapy regimen.