How Do You Understand What Causes A Low Lymphocyte Count?
Have you been told by your doctor that you have a decreased lymphocyte count? If this was discovered on a routine blood test, you may feel fine and have no symptoms at all, although you may be concerned as to why. What causes a decreased lymphocyte count on a blood test? What Are Lymphocytes? Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that’s responsible for protecting the body against bacterial and viral infections. They make up anywhere from fifteen to forty percent of the total white blood cells that circulate in the bloodstream. The two main types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells and both help to fight off infection and play a role in stopping the growth of cancers. B cell lymphocytes are the special cells that produce infection fighting antibodies. For this reason, people with a decreased lymphocyte count may be more susceptible to certain types of infections. There is also a subtype of T cell known as a natural killer cell that helps to destroy cells infected by viruses as w