What Happens When a Person has a High Lymphocyte Count?
When a person has a high lymphocyte count, it means that they have an abnormally large number of lymphocytes in their blood. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play an important role in the immune system. There are many different causes of high lymphocyte counts, and it can be a sign of a variety of different diseases.
In this blog post, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of lymphocytes high counts, as well as the treatments available.
Let’s get started.
The Function of Lymphocyte
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a vital role in the body’s immune system. They help to protect the body against infection and disease by attacking foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.
When the body is exposed to an infection or illness, the lymphocytes will multiply in order to help fight off the invader. This can cause the lymphocyte count in the blood to temporarily increase.
In some cases, a person may have a high lymphocyte count even when they are not sick. This is often due to another condition that is affecting the immune system, such as autoimmune diseases or cancer. If you want to get some more knowledge regarding this medical disease, you must look on AskApollo. It is the best health library that you can visit.
Causes
The lymphocytes high causes include:
- A high lymphocyte count can be caused by a number of things, including:
- An infection or viral illness
- Cancer of the blood or lymphatic system
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- HIV/AIDS
- Certain medications, such as steroids or chemotherapy drugs
Specific causes of lymphocyte includes:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- a viral infection,
- Autoimmune disease
- Mononucleosis
Lymphocyte count can also be high due to a bone marrow disorder or reaction to a medicine. A high lymphocyte count usually indicates the body is fighting an infection. In some cases, it could be a sign of leukemia or other blood cancers. If you have a high lymphocyte count, your doctor will likely order more tests to determine the cause.
Treatment for lymphocytes depends on the underlying condition. If you have a viral infection, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. If you have an autoimmune disease, they may recommend immunosuppressive drugs to help control your immune system.
Symptoms of Lymphocytosis
The most common symptom of lymphocytosis is enlarged lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Night sweats
- Difficulty breathing
If the lymphocyte count is very high, it can cause the spleen or liver to become enlarged. In rare cases, it can also lead to leukemia . If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
If you have lymphocytosis, your doctor will likely order some tests to find out the cause. These may include a complete blood count (CBC), a lymphocyte differential, and imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your lymphocytosis.
Diagnosis of Lymphocytosis
If you have lymphocytosis, your doctor will likely order a complete blood count (CBC) with a differential. This will help determine if your lymphocyte count is truly elevated and, if so, whether it’s due to an increase in all lymphocytes or just one type. The CBC will also give your doctor important information about your overall health, including your red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels.
Your doctor may also order a lymphocyte proliferation test. This test measures how quickly your lymphocytes grow in response to certain stimuli. It can help determine whether your lymphocytosis is due to an infection or another condition, such as leukemia.
In some cases, a bone marrow biopsy may be needed to diagnose the cause of lymphocytosis. During this procedure, a small sample of bone marrow is removed and examined under a microscope. This can help determine whether the cause of your lymphocytosis is cancerous or noncancerous.
Treatment
Lymphocytosis could also result from cancer. Doctors typically suggest chemotherapy in such circumstances. Usually, a mix of medications that target the afflicted cells is employed, rather than just one treatment. Chemotherapy is typically administered in rounds of three to four weeks. Based on the intensity, the time frame could be prolonged.
To give the cells time to recover and regenerate, there is a pause between each week. Some adverse reactions, such as temperature, nausea, reduced blood levels, etc., could occur.
Immunotherapy, stem cell therapy, targeted cell therapy, etc. are other therapeutic treatments. These therapies are often applied to treat severe lymphocytosis instances.
The Bottom Line
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. A high lymphocyte count usually means that your body is fighting an infection. There are many possible causes of a high lymphocyte count, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of cancer. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. If you have a high lymphocyte count, you should see your doctor to find out the cause.