Resolved question:
I am a 40 year old male who just had an annual physical on 9/6/13. My doctor's offce called and said my bloodwork was "normal" excpet for a Vitamin D deficiency. However, when I received my lab notes today, the paper work shows low lymphocytes. The numbers are as follows:
WBC - 9.40
RBC - 6.06
HGB - 16.3
HCT - 47.2
MCV - 93.3
SEGS - 71
LYMPHS -14
MONOS - 12
EOS - 2
BASO - 0
From researching "low lymphocytes" I keep seeing AIDS and HIV as the cause. I'm concerned that my PCP did not address this low result. Just 60 days prior, I had another CBC where my lymphocytes were 30%. The day of my last blood test (with the low results) I was fighting a sinus infection (sore throat, post-nasal drip) and using Flonase nasal spray for my allergies. I also had an abcessing tooth (for which I had a root canal today). Could either of those cause the drop in lymphocytes? Why no concern from my PCP?
Following are all my current medications:
Flonase/Allegra (allergies), Simvastatin (high cholesterol), Doryx (rosacea), and Lansoprazole (acid reflux).
Thank you.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.
A lymphocytes value of “14” is the percentage of lymphocytes in the total white blood cell pool. White blood cells (WBCs) contain Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils and Moncytes. The proportion of these types of WBCs is dynamic. That means they are supposed to change in number as and when required by the body. For example when there is new infection or inflammation the neutrophils will increase in number on account of other cells. This is exactly what has happened in your case. The sinus infection and tooth abscess have caused increase in neutrophils on expense of lymphocytes.
This is normal and it actually indicates the WBC s are functioning NORMALLY ! Which is a good health indicator. So there is no reason for any concern at all.
Low lymphocytes may be found in HIV – AIDS and many other diseases. But in that case there will be other definite manifestation of the disease and suggestive blood investigations. There is nothing suggestive like that here.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you
Of the lab results I mentioned, which number (abbreviation) represents the Neutrophils? The sinus infection has cleared and the tooth received a root canal yesterday. How long should I wait until getting another CBC?
SEGS is the Neutrophils.
SEGS - 71 + LYMPHS -14 + MONOS - 12 + EOS - 2 + BASO - 0 = ~ 100 % of WBCs
You can repeat the test after 4-6 weeks. (Although it is not necessary)
Hope this helps.
Thank you