Our immune systems produce numerous types of cells to help us fight off infections. Each one does its part to protect us and keep us healthy. Lymphocytes are an important piece of the puzzle. They help the body recognize and respond to infections, abnormal cells, and other potentially harmful intruders.
If a recent blood test revealed that your lymphocyte count is high, you may be worried. That’s perfectly natural. Any type of imbalance in your immune system can be frightening. To clear up the fear and confusion you may be feeling, let’s take a closer look at these essential immune cells and what a high lymphocyte count might mean.
What Are Lymphocytes, and What Do They Do?
As mentioned, lymphocytes are immune cells. They’re divided into three main categories: B cells, T cells, and NK cells. B cells produce antibodies that help neutralize bacteria and viruses. T cells help destroy damaged or infected cells and coordinating immune responses. NK, or natural killer, cells work against viruses and abnormal cells. All of these cells work together to defend you against threats.
What Does a High Lymphocyte Count Mean?
In general, a high lymphocyte count means that your immune system is reacting to something it sees as a threat to your health. It’s known as lymphocytosis. It can be caused by an array of factors.
Infections
Infections are among the most common reasons for a high lymphocyte count. Viruses, like the flu, measles, and the common cold, can cause lymphocytes to increase. Bacterial infections can also ramp up your body’s lymphocyte production. Common bacterial infections include strep throat, pneumonia, UTIs, whooping cough, and tuberculosis to name a few. With those conditions and many others, a high lymphocyte count means your body is working to fight off an infection.
Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions can cause elevated lymphocyte counts as well. Those include rheumatoid arthritis and IBD. Autoimmune conditions are more serious than infections. They cause the immune system to attack both invading cells and its own healthy ones. These conditions can be dangerous, but many of them can be treated.
Stress
Stress has more serious effects on the body than many people realize. It can take a significant toll on your health, especially if you’re dealing with chronic stress. Both emotional and physical stress can cause your lymphocyte levels to increase.
Cancers
In some cases, high lymphocyte counts can indicate certain types of cancer. Those include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Conditions like those cause the body to produce abnormal lymphocytes that multiply rapidly.
Treatments for High Lymphocyte Levels
You may be wondering if you need medical care for high lymphocyte levels. That depends on the cause of your elevated count. For viral infections, there’s usually no real need for medical intervention though you may want to take over-the-counter medications to help with any symptoms that may arise from the infection. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are usually prescribed. If stress is the cause, avoiding stressors if possible and using stress management techniques can help.
Lymphocytes and Your Health
Lymphocytes are a normal part of your immune system. In most cases, a high count isn’t a sign of a serious medical condition; it just means your immune system is working hard to keep you healthy. If your levels remain high or are accompanied by concerning symptoms, though, your doctor may order more tests to determine if you’re suffering from a serious condition that needs more in-depth attention.