Lymphopenia - decrease in lymphocytes: causes, mechanism of development

What is lymphopenia

A reduced number of lymphocytes in the blood indicates the formation of lymphopenia, which is not a disease, but only a symptom caused by a number of reasons of a pathogenic or physiological nature. Most often it develops against the background of an infectious-toxic process.

The diagnosis of “lymphopenia” is made after a primary and secondary blood test and determination of the immune status.

Lymphocytes in the blood are reduced in an adult due to the following features:

White cells are destroyed in the fight against foreign substances, while new ones have not yet formed;
Organs that synthesize lymphocytes are affected.

After 35–45 years, regardless of any factors, there is a decrease in the production of lymphocytes, since the thymus gland, which synthesizes them, self-destructs.

Lymphopenia is divided into 2 groups:

Relative - the number of lymphocytes decreases directly in the leukocyte formula (the total set of all types of leukocytes);
Absolute – the total number of lymphocytes is below normal.

What are lymphocytes, their functions

Lymphocytes are small blood cells that are part of the group of leukocytes and perform very important functions in the human body.

Lymphocytes are blood cells that are classified as leukocytes. Their content in this group is about 20-40 percent. The nucleus of these cells occupies the largest part, and the cytoplasm is not granular. Lymphocytes are produced by the spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, thymus gland, and lymph nodes.

The main function of lymphocytes is considered to be stimulation of the immune system. These blood cells tend to produce antibodies against antigens.

Depending on their functions, lymphocytes belong to the following types:

T lymphocytes. Their role is regulation of the immune response. These cells activate the production of antibodies and contribute to the destruction of cells that are affected by pathogenic microorganisms.
B lymphocytes. They activate humoral immunity and counteract various types of bacteria and viruses. They also have the ability to direct basophils and neutrophils to cells that need to be neutralized.
NK lymphocytes. They are real killers, since their function is to destroy cells that have deviations from the norm in their structure, for example, during a tumor process.

Thus, lymphocytes help the body cope with various inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Diagnostics and norm

To diagnose the level of lymphocytes in the blood, you need to donate blood from your finger in the morning on an empty stomach.

Since lymphocytes have an important function in the body, their indicator plays an important role in making a diagnosis. Their level is determined using a general blood test.

No special preparation is required for diagnosis. But it is advisable:

Donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach, so that the interval between the test and food intake is at least two hours.
It is also recommended that the patient inform the specialist about the use of medications that he took several days before the study.
To make the results more reliable, before diagnostics it is better not to do intense physical activity, or drink alcohol or smoke.

The norm of lymphocytes in the blood varies depending on age. Two values of the indicator are taken into account - relative and absolute.

The relative value is measured as a percentage, and the absolute value is measured as the number of cells in the field of view multiplied by ten to the ninth power units per liter of blood.

Therefore, the following are considered normal indicators:

The norm in adults with an absolute value is from 1 to 4.5, the ratio is from 20 to 34%
Up to twenty-one years – from 1 to 4.8 (absolute), from 30 to 45%
Up to ten years – from 1.5 to 6.5; from 30 to 50%
Up to the age of six – from 1.5 to 7; from 35 to 55%
Up to four years of age - from 2 to 84; from 45 to 65%
From birth to one year – from 4 to 10.5; from 55 to 75%

It is important to say that in pregnant women the level of lymphocytes is usually low, but this condition does not require specific treatment. However, a pregnant woman must comply with all instructions of the leading specialist.

Having carefully studied these standards, we can come to the conclusion that the highest content of lymphocytes in the blood is observed in children under one year of age. As we get older, normal cell levels are reduced to lower levels.

Causes of low lymphocytes in the blood of an adult

The main causes of low lymphocytes in the blood of an adult are:

Radiation sickness;
Myocardial infarction;
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
Itsenko-Kushenko syndrome;
Chemotherapy;
Infectious diseases (smallpox, rubella, chickenpox);

Hypersensitivity to drugs;
Underdevelopment or absence of stem cells (aplasia), which are responsible for the synthesis of lymphocytes;
Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis);
Bone marrow depletion;

Autoimmune diseases (own killer cells destroy their own healthy tissue);
Cancerous tumors;
Anemia (anemia);
Kidney failure;
Lupus erythematosus;
Purulent-inflammatory diseases.

In women, lymphocytes may be low for the following reasons:

During pregnancy;
In case of hormonal imbalance;
During the menstrual cycle.

In males, low lymphocytes in the blood can be observed in the following situations:

Long-term smoking;
Exercise stress;
Stressful situation.

What does it mean and what does a low level mean?

A decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the blood of adults can occur against the background of the following conditions:

A large number of white cells died as a result of the attack of foreign substances. In this case, new ones have not yet had time to form.
The organs responsible for the synthesis of lymphocytes are affected.

After 35-40 years, there is a decrease in the production of lymphocytes, since the thymus gland, which is responsible for their synthesis, ceases its activity. If a decrease in lymphocytes in the blood is detected, this means that a pathological process may develop in the body. The following conditions can provoke this:

anemia;
infectious diseases;
oncology;
tuberculosis;
HIV or AIDS;
radiation sickness;
myocardial infarction.

Lymphocytes are most often low in adults who abuse fatty foods and alcoholic drinks.

Chronic lymphopenia can develop against the background of the following pathologies:

tonsillitis;
furunculosis;
inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Low lymphocytes are not always evidence of a serious illness. This condition is often the result of an overactive immune system. But this is always a reason to conduct additional research, since the cause of lymphopenia can only be determined as a result of a general analysis.

Among women

In addition to common reasons characteristic of both sexes, the detection of a low number of lymphocytes in the blood of women may indicate a change in hormonal balance during pregnancy. Lymphocytes in the blood are also reduced during the menstrual cycle.

Important information: Why are leukocytes in the blood elevated after childbirth?

In men

If a change in the levels of lymphocytes in the blood of an adult man is detected, this indicates, first of all, the development of diseases. If a man has low lymphocytes in his blood, this means that he smokes a lot for a long time. A similar condition can also occur after excessive physical exertion or stressful situations.

In children

The number of lymphocytes in children's blood is greater, since the body is faced with many diseases for the first time, and a larger number of protective cells are needed to fight them. Their level is influenced by genetic and acquired factors.

The occurrence of lymphopenia in children can be triggered by the following situations:

acute and chronic infections;
autoimmune diseases;
radiotherapy;
lack of zinc, selenium, protein;
taking hormonal drugs;
cuts, burns, injuries.

With a decrease in lymphocytes in the blood, a child may often experience relapses of infectious pathologies.

Lymphopenia in children is not accompanied by specific symptoms. You should consult a doctor if the following signs appear:

general weakness;
hair loss;
frequent colds;
purulent-inflammatory processes.

Osteomyelitis, phlegmon, abscesses, pneumonia are conditions in which the number of neutrophils is increased. This causes the appearance of relative lymphophenia. Preventive measures will not help avoid this condition. At least once a year, it is necessary to have the child’s blood tested in order to promptly identify any changes in its composition.

In pregnant women

The reduced content of lymphocytes is explained by natural mechanisms that enable the cell to become fertilized. If the level of lymphocytes remained normal, the male genes would be perceived by the immune system as foreign and would receive an aggressive response. All attempts at penetration would be blocked, eliminating the possibility of pregnancy.

Particular attention is paid to blood counts in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. A decrease in the number of protective cells increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Symptoms of lymphopenia

Lymphopenia in most cases is latent (asymptomatic) in nature, but can be manifested by the following clinical signs:

Reduction in the size of lymph nodes and tonsils;
Skin diseases (pyoderma, eczema);
Apathy, decreased performance, lethargy, emotional disorders;
Frequent respiratory diseases;
Alopecia (hair loss);
Pale skin, jaundice;
The appearance of petechiae on the skin (blood spots that form under the epidermis);
Splenomegaly (enlarged projection of the spleen).

If you notice symptoms of lymphopenia, consult a doctor, the causes may be serious!

Rules for taking the analysis

The number of lymphocytes is determined using a clinical general blood test. For the results to be reliable, it is important to follow the following rules:

The blood test is taken on an empty stomach;
The collection is carried out until 12 noon;
You should not smoke at least 60 minutes before the test;
On the day of blood sampling, stop taking medications;
Women need to get tested 4-5 days after the end of their period;
2 days before the test, limit the intake of salty, fatty foods, and exclude alcoholic beverages;
During the day, avoid physical and emotional stress;
Immediately before taking blood, you need to sit in a quiet environment for 10 minutes.

Treatment of lymphopenia

Initially, therapy is aimed at curing the underlying cause that led to a decrease in the level of lymphocytes. In this case, the cellular composition of the blood is restored independently. It is important to strengthen your own immune strength; for this you need to review your diet.

The menu should include the following products:

Vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries;
Beef, poultry, fatty sea fish;
Cheese, milk;
Legumes;
Walnut;
Increase your pure water intake to 2 liters per day.

Intravenous administration of immunoglobulins is prescribed medicinally at a rate of 0.4 g/kg body weight, and a stem cell transplant may be used. Vitamin therapy is prescribed (ascorbic acid, folic acid, keratin).

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for leukopenia. To alleviate the patient's condition, drugs that stimulate the immune system are prescribed. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are also selected, since low lymphocytes can be a sign of inflammatory processes.

In most cases, a complete medical examination is required to make an accurate diagnosis. Only after this is treatment prescribed for the underlying disease.

And the list of necessary medications and other types of influence depends on the specific violations. Self-administration of medications can cause complications, which can even lead to death.

ethnoscience

To increase immune strength, you can use the following alternative medicine recipes:

5 tbsp. pour a tablespoon of fresh pine needles into a liter of hot water, simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, leave for a couple of hours, filter. Add 2 tbsp. spoons of honey, take a glass twice a day;
Drink ½ cup of fresh pomegranate, beetroot, blackberry, cranberry or apple-carrot juice 3 times a day;
Mix flower pollen and bee honey in a 2:1 ratio, eat a teaspoon of the mixture on an empty stomach, with ½ glass of whole milk.