Low levels of lymphocytes in the blood could indicate an increased risk for death, according to a study published in CMAJ. This condition, known as lymphopenia, is often detected during routine blood tests, according to Stig E. Bojesen , MD, clinical professor in the department of clinical medicine at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues.
Patients with lymphopenia are usually not referred for further examination because the clinical implications of the condition were previously unknown. Bojesen and colleagues conducted a prospective cohort study of adults aged 20 to years who were enrolled in the Copenhagen General Population Study between November and April They collected data on all participant deaths before Apr.
Participants had their blood drawn and white blood cell counts measured as part of a physical examination. Researchers defined lymphopenia as a lymphocyte count below the 2. The condition usually is found when a person is tested for other diseases or conditions, such as AIDS. Fever is the most common symptom of infection. Your doctor will diagnose lymphocytopenia based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results.
Thus, the condition often is diagnosed during testing for other diseases or conditions. These infections may be signs of lymphocytopenia. Your primary care doctor may refer you to an infectious disease specialist to find out what's causing the infections. You also may see a hematologist blood disease specialist or an immunologist immune disorders specialist. Blood diseases and immune disorders can cause lymphocytopenia.
Your doctor will do a physical exam to look for signs of infection, such as fever. He or she may check your abdomen for signs of an enlarged spleen and your neck for signs of enlarged lymph nodes.
Your doctor also will look for signs and symptoms of diseases and conditions that can affect your lymphocyte count, such as AIDS and blood cancers. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to help diagnose a low lymphocyte count.
A complete blood count CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. The CBC will show whether you have a low number of white blood cells. Lymphocytes account for 20 to 40 percent of all white blood cells. Although a CBC will show an overall low white blood cell count, it won't show whether the number of lymphocytes is low. You may need a more detailed test, called a CBC with differential, to find out whether you have a low lymphocyte count.
This test shows whether you have low levels of certain types of white blood cells, such as lymphocytes. The test results can help your doctor diagnose lymphocytopenia. Flow cytometry si-TOM-eh-tree looks at many types of blood cells. It's even more detailed than a CBC with differential. Flow cytometry can measure the levels of the different types of lymphocytes—T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells.
The test can help diagnose the underlying cause of lymphocytopenia. Some underlying conditions cause low levels of T cells. Others may cause low levels of B cells or natural killer cells.
Many diseases and conditions can cause lymphocytopenia. Your doctor will want to find the cause of the disorder. Tests for these underlying conditions might include blood tests , bone marrow tests , and lymph node tests.
Lymph nodes are part of the immune system. They're found in many places in your body. During a physical exam, your doctor may find that certain lymph nodes are swollen. In lymphocytopenia, the lymph nodes may hold on to too many lymphocytes instead of releasing them into the bloodstream. To test a lymph node, you may need to have it removed.
Removing a lymph node involves minor surgery. If you have mild lymphocytopenia with no underlying cause, you may not need treatment. The disorder may improve on its own. If you have a disease or condition that's causing lymphocytopenia, your doctor will prescribe treatment for that illness. Treating the underlying problem will help treat the lymphocytopenia.
A low lymphocyte count makes it hard for your body to fight infections. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world.
The Manual was first published in as a service to the community. Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Types of lymphocytes. Causes of acute lymphocytopenia Causes of chronic lymphocytopenia. White Blood Cell Disorders. Test your knowledge.
What is the medical term for the procedure in which a person donates his or her own blood to be used if needed during or after a surgical procedure? More Content. Click here for the Professional Version. People may have no symptoms, or they may have fever and other symptoms of an infection.
Some people are given gamma globulin, and some benefit from stem cell transplantation. There are three types of lymphocytes:. B lymphocytes B cells. Acute: Occurring briefly during certain conditions and then usually resolving. Chronic: Occurring for a longer period because of long-lasting disorders. Did You Know They maintain tolerance to germs, prevent autoimmune diseases, and limit inflammatory diseases. But they can also suppress the immune system from doing its job against certain antigens and tumors.
Memory T cells protect the body against previously found antigens. They live for a long time after an infection is over, helping the immune system to remember previous infections. If the same germ enters the body a second time, memory T cells remember it and quickly multiply, helping the body to fight it more quickly. Natural killer T cells are a mixed group of T cells that share characteristics of both T cells and natural killer cells.
They can influence other immune cells and control immune responses against substances in the body that trigger an immune response. But a high level of lymphocytes can also be a sign of lymphocytosis, which is a more serious condition.
Lymphocytosis is frequently associated with chronic infections, some blood cancers, and with autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Lymphocyte counts below the normal range can also be temporary.
They can occur after a cold or another infection, or be caused by intense physical exercise, severe stress , or malnutrition. Lymphocyte counts that signal lymphocytopenia vary for adults and children. In this test, the levels of the main types of white blood cells in the body are measured. Lymphocyte count is one part of a larger whole blood test called a complete blood count CBC. A CBC can be requested by doctors if they suspect that a disease or infection is present.
Results can indicate a normal cell count or an abnormal cell count, the latter pointing to the possible presence of a disease. In this case, the doctor will likely ask for other tests to confirm a diagnosis. Unusually high or low lymphocyte counts may cause no signs, symptoms, or serious problems on their own.
If lymphocyte counts remain high or low over time, they could be a sign of a health condition and may be diagnosed as lymphocytopenia or lymphocytosis. These conditions can range from mild to severe, and their duration depends on what caused them.
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