What does it mean when your lymphocytes are low?

What does it mean when your lymphocytes are low?

Lymphocytopenia, also referred to as lymphopenia, occurs when your lymphocyte count in your bloodstream is lower than normal. Severe or chronic low counts can indicate a possible infection or other signficant illness and should be investigated by your doctor. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell.

What does a lymphocyte do?

Lymphocytes are cells that circulate in your blood that are part of the immune system. There are two main types lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. B cells produce antibody molecules that can latch on and destroy invading viruses or bacteria.

How do you raise your lymphocytes?

People with low lymphocyte levels should boost their immune system by eating a nutrient-rich diet providing sufficient proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Doctors may prescribe a special diet for people with a weakened immune system.

What are the 5 types of lymphocytes?

Two pairs of broadest categories classify them either by structure ( granulocytes or agranulocytes) or by cell lineage (myeloid cells or lymphoid cells). These broadest categories can be further divided into the five main types: neutrophils, eosinophils (acidophiles), basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.

What is the primary function of the lymphocytes?

The primary function of lymphocytes of the innate immune system is to deliver an immediate response to viral attack. In addition to this function, NK cells can also distinguish cells that are cancerous or have infections caused by microbes.

What can cause elevated lymphocytes?

Causes of high lymphocyte counts. Common reasons for a high count of lymphocytes include infections, autoimmune disorders that cause chronic inflammation, and cancer of the lymphatic system or blood.

What are the two major types of lymphocyte?

What Are Lymphocytes? Types of Lymphocytes. There are three main types of lymphocytes: B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Natural Killer (Nk) Cells. Natural killer cells function similarly to cytotoxic T cells, but they are not T cells. Memory Cells.