Blood lymphocyte test and normal, high and low values
The lymphocytes they consist of a type or variety of white blood cell. As you surely know, white blood cells (also known as leukocytes), are a set of blood cells responsible for intervening and participating in the defense of the body against foreign substances and infectious agents (1). That is, lymphocytes are a fundamental and very important part of our immune system.
Among other important functions, the lymphocytes are responsible for defending the organism against infections, being able to distinguish and identify which are the cells of the organism itself, and differentiate them from foreign elements for their subsequent destruction / elimination (foreign agents, viruses and bacteria that cause infections ...).
Thus, the lymphocyte count is part of the blood count, especially if it is a complete blood count, which helps to know the total number of different types of blood cells, such as not only lymphocytes (white blood cells in short), but red blood cells responsible for distributing Oxygen to different parts of the body, or platelets, which help the blood to coagulate properly.
What are the normal values of lymphocytes in the blood
Although blood lymphocyte values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory, reference values of lymphocytes are from 1500 and 5000 / mm3, or between a 20 to 50% blood.
However, as we mentioned earlier, these reference values may vary. For this reason, normal values of between 1000 and 4500 cells / ml.
Of course, depending on the age these reference values tend to vary:
| Age (Years) | Absolute value | Percentage value |
| 0.5 to 2 | 4.000 to 10.000 | 60% |
| 2 to 3 | 3,000 to 9,000 | |
| 4 to 5 | 2,000 to 8,000 | |
| 6 to 16 | 1,500 to 7,000 | 35% |
Altered values of lymphocytes in blood. What are your causes?
Depending on the reference values of the laboratory where we have performed the complete blood count, the lymphocyte values in blood may be altered if they are above or below those levels considered normal.
For this reason, the causes by which the lymphocyte values can decrease or increase depends to a greater extent on what is the cause that is influencing this alteration.
Low lymphocytes
Medically known by the name of lymphopenia, can indicate the presence of pathologies or auto-immune diseases, in which the body attacks the body's own defense cells (is, for example, what happens with HIV). It is also possible that it is due to pathologies of the bone marrow, such as leukemia or aplastic anemia.
However, it is common to find lymphopenia in people whose immune system is not working well, or when an immunosuppressive treatment is being followed (for example, in the case of chemotherapy).
High lymphocytes
It is a medically known condition with the name of lymphocytosis. The increase of lymphocytes in blood usually occurs - and with absolute normality - when there is an acute or chronic infectious process. That is, when the immune system is fighting against a simple active infection at that time, for example in case of flu or cold. It can also be due to more serious infections, such as infectious mononucleosis, toxoplasmosis or viral hepatitis.
In addition, it can also occur in case of allergies.
However, it can also be due to diseases such as leukemia, which consists of a lymphoproliferative process. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesBlood test
