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What Causes Drop In Absolute Lymphocytes Count?

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Posted on Sat, 26 Jul 2014
Question: I get a CBC blood test every year and my absolute lymphocytes keep dropping. this time they were 757 cells/uL. Asked my doctor and she didn't know what they were and didn't seem concerned. What is it and do I need to be concerned?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
one of white blood cells

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

White blood cells are the parts of blood that respond to infection and inflammation.

There are different types of white blood cells and you may see them on your result form: lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes.

These different white blood cells play slightly different roles in the body's immune response.

The absolute lymphocyte count measures the absolute or total amount of lymphocytes present. This amount can vary. Normally the complete blood count includes the percentage of lymphocytes present and also the absolute (total) amount.

Your value is below the lower limit but the interpretation also depends on the overall white cell count and the other factors of the white cell count. If the white cell count is normal and the other parameters are normal then it is not likely an indication of any issues.

In some persons if the lymphocytes are low, there is an increased risk of infections.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Thank you for answering so quickly. You mentioned some other ones. Mine are all on the lower end of the scale. Lymphocytes 19.4, basophis 0.6, eosinophis 4.3, neutrophis 65.9, monocytes 0.8, white blood cell count 3.9. Platelet count 244. absolute neutrophils 2579, absolute monocytes 382, absolute eosinophils 168. absolute basophils 23. Hope you don't mind me going into detail but it does concern me that they are all on the low side. Is there any concern that this could be a pre-requisite to a form of cancer? my brother died of metatastic breast cancer ans my mother has had colon cancer twice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
none indicative of cancer

Detailed Answer:
HI

You can ask about whatever concerns you.

Firstly, to speak to your concerns regarding cancer, complete blood count would be mainly done to detect blood borne cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, myeloma.

In these the white cell count is normally elevated not reduced.
This means that non of these changes seen at the present are related to cancer.

The mild elevation in the eosinophils may be due to any slight allergies that you may have.

None of your results are indicative of cancer.

There are blood tests that check for inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be due to infection, cancer, autoimmune disease (lupus, RA etc).
These tests cannot say exactly where the problem is but can identify that there is something to be concerned about and so allow for further testing

Examples are c reactive protein and ESR. Both of these would be abnormally high in cancer.
You can add one to your yearly check

Please feel free to ask anything else
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Drop In Absolute Lymphocytes Count?

Brief Answer: one of white blood cells Detailed Answer: Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic White blood cells are the parts of blood that respond to infection and inflammation. There are different types of white blood cells and you may see them on your result form: lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes. These different white blood cells play slightly different roles in the body's immune response. The absolute lymphocyte count measures the absolute or total amount of lymphocytes present. This amount can vary. Normally the complete blood count includes the percentage of lymphocytes present and also the absolute (total) amount. Your value is below the lower limit but the interpretation also depends on the overall white cell count and the other factors of the white cell count. If the white cell count is normal and the other parameters are normal then it is not likely an indication of any issues. In some persons if the lymphocytes are low, there is an increased risk of infections. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions