HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Elevated Lymphocytes?

Posted on Fri, 18 Sep 2015

Question: Okay so basically my lympocytes are 5.24 the doctor told me today.. He reffered me to a haemotologist as when it goes over 5 they like to assess this to see why it is. I have very bad anxiety and all i an think about is if i have leukemia. I am only 20 years old woth an 8 month year old baby and i was just wondering are my lymphocytes as high as people who have leukemia? I also have had ringworm on my foot that i have had for XXXXXXX a year so and it always flares up so would that be the cause for the increase in lymphocytes or what else could cause it? Last week i also had mouth ulcer and a coldsore and i only got my bloods taken two days ago could that have effected it?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Leukemia, ringworm, mouth ulcer & cold sore unlikely cause of lymphocytosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Lymphocytes above 5000 are of concern.
The total leukocyte count needs to be known.
Leukemia is usually associated with high total leukocyte count.
Chronic leukocytic leukemia (CLL) is a leukemia associated with lymphocytosis.
However, CLL is a leukemia of elderly and of young people.
Ringworm is a fungal infection of skin. It is a superficial infection and thus unlikely to produce changes in blood.
Viral infections are usually associated with elevated lymphocytes.
Again the mouth ulcers and cold sore are unlikely to cause lymphocytosis.
In the end, I insist on posting your total and differential leukocyte counts.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar