Why are lymphocytes low and what to do about it

LymphocytesLymphocyte / National Human Genome Research Institute Is a type of white blood cell (leukocyte). Like all white blood cells, lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and are an essential element of the immune system.T and B Lymphocyte and Natural Killer Cell Profile / University of Rochester Medical Center.

Some of the lymphocytes are able to remember the causative agents of diseases that the body has encountered before, and so form cellular immunity. The second type of lymphocytes produces antibodies to infections already familiar to the body and is an important element of immunity. The third type is engaged in the destruction of diseased cells of its own body - those that are affected by a virus, cancer, or have other damage.

What is considered a low lymphocyte count

NormalLymphocytopenia / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services amount lymphocytes in the blood of adults - from 1,000 to 4,800 cells per microliter. In children, it is from 3,000 to 9,500 per microliter.

If the level of lymphocytes in an adult falls below 1,000 cells per microliter, and in children below 3,000, doctors speak of lymphopenia, or lymphocytopenia.

Why is lymphopenia dangerous?

This is not a disease in itself, but simply a lack of a certain type of blood cells. In some people, lymphocytes are lowered from birth. In this case, lymphopenia is considered a variant of the norm: the immune system works perfectly on the available "reserves".

But more often it happens in a different way. A decrease in the level of lymphocytes leads to the fact that a person's immunity is sharply reduced. The body begins to produce poorer antibodies, loses the memory of previous infections and cannot stop the spread of diseased cells in time.

All this leads to the fact that a person starts to get sick often. And any infections, even harmless ones like ARVI, quickly become overgrown with complications and turn into bronchitis, pneumonia or dangerous inflammatory processes in other organs.

How to recognize lymphopenia

It is frequent illnesses that are the key and, in fact, the only symptom by which the therapist can suspect lymphopenia in its dangerous form.

If a reduced level of lymphocytes is detected by chance, for example, during a preventive general blood test, but the patient does not complain of frequent colds and other diseases, the doctor, most likely, will not consider this symptom dangerous.

Why are lymphocytes low

To understand, you need to understand which path the lymphocytes travel. They are produced in the bone marrow, from there they enter the blood and lymph and begin to circulate with these fluids throughout the body - in search of infections and diseased cells. Accordingly, if there are few lymphocytes, this may meanLymphocytopenia / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services that's what:

• the bone marrow is malfunctioning and does not produce the required number of blood cells;
• there are too many pathogens in the blood, due to which lymphocytes are instantly consumed;
• lymphocytes collect excessive amounts of "garbage" in the body (these can be dead cells, toxins, viral particles) and therefore are retained for cleaning in natural filters - the spleen and lymph nodes.

There are a number of reasonsLymphocytopenia / Merck Manualsthat lead to any of the above events and so lower the level of lymphocytes. Here are the most common ones.

1. Infectious diseases

Most often, the level of lymphocytes decreases with such diseases:

• Flu.
• Viral hepatitis.
• Malaria.
• Tuberculosis.
• AIDS.
• Typhoid fever.
• Blood poisoning.

2. Autoimmune Disorders

Lymphocytes can be lowered due to the following conditions:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Myasthenia gravis.

Also, immunosuppressive drugs used to treat autoimmune disorders can reduce lymphocyte counts.

3. Cancer and its treatment

Most often, a decrease in lymphocytes occurs in blood oncology - leukemia, lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. But other types of cancer can also manifest themselves as lymphopenia.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are used to treat malignant tumors, also reduce the level of white blood cells in general and lymphocytes in particular.

4. Diseases that affect the blood and bone marrow

This is, for example, aplastic anemia and various diseases of the lymph.

5. Lack of nutrition

Protein, zinc, and other nutrients are required for the production of lymphocytes. If, due to a rigid diet, an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia) or other reasons for certain elements are not enough, lymphopenia may develop.

6. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

The nutrients are absorbed in the intestines. If the walls of this organ are damaged, the body receives less important elements and cannot produce lymphocytes in the required amount. These gut-damaging diseases include:

• Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance.
• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory diseases.
• Amyloidosis, or one of the types of protein metabolism disorders.

7. Taking certain medications

Decrease in the level of lymphocytes can:

• Interferons.
• Corticosteroids.
• Opioids.
• Funds used for treatment osteoporosis.

8. Heredity

Sometimes lymphopenia is congenital.

9. Other reasons

Serious injury, surgery, strong stress, heavy physical activity, alcohol abuse can also reduce the level of lymphocytes.

What to do if lymphocytes are low

It depends on how much the lymphocyte count differs from normal and whether you have any problems with well-being.

For mild lymphopenia, if you feel well, you can do without treatment at allLymphocytopenia / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Such conditions often go away on their own. Your therapist or other supervising doctor will simply recommend that you lead a healthy lifestyle and monitor your lymphocyte counts from time to time.

If the decrease in lymphocyte count is associated with an infection, it will need to be cured. As soon as the disease recedes, the lymphocyte count will return to normal.

In the event that lymphopenia really becomes a problem and, for example, leads to chronic infections, you will need to undergo a detailed medical examination. This may include blood, bone marrow, and lymph node tests. As a rule, at this stage a specialized doctor will work with you - an infectious disease specialist, immunologist or hematologist.

The task of the physician is to figure out what exactly caused the decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the blood. When the reason is clear, you will be prescribed treatment. Its essence is to overcome or correct the disease or condition that led to lymphopenia.