[lola1973]

Hi, Just a quick question about wbc counts for any experts out there. My latest cbc read :

Wbc 6.5 bil/l range was 3.3-10.7
Lymphocytes 1.7 bil/l range was1.1-4.0
Monocytes 0.4 bil/l range was 0.0-0.8
Neutrophils 4.3. bil/l range was 1.6-7.2

All of my stuff is in range, but should I be concerend with my lymphocytes being at the lower end of normal? Just wondered what a true decrease in lymphocytes woould be.

[J_9]

Looks pretty normal to me. Looks like you are a very healthy individual.

A marked decrease in lymphocytes, which you do not have by the way, could be caused by alcoholism, anemia, malnutrition, bone marrow depression, radiation, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and other autoimmune disorders as well as certain viral infections.

[lola1973]

Thnaks so much.other thing I forgot to mention was my cholesterol, it was almost too good. The total was 133, ldl 68,hdl 58,trig. 34, and ratio was 2.3. Is there such a thing as too low. Do you think these are OK?Also as far as the lymphocytes do they change daily, so the low end of normal is OK?

[J_9]

Thnaks so much.other thing I forgot to mention was my cholesterol, it was almost too good. The total was 133, ldl 68,hdl 58,trig. 34, and ratio was 2.3. Is there such a thing as too low.

Looks perfect to me

Also as far as the lymphocytes do they change daily, so the low end of normal is ok?

The range is such that any difference would not really be noted as long as it stays within the normal range. Certain illnesses can increase or decrease the amounts.

As long as it is within normal range, high or low, there is nothing to worry about.

[lola1973]

Thanks J_9,
So there is no rhyme or reason as to why someone's lymphocytes run on the lower side of normal range? I guess I just got concerned because I am a very healthy person and I just assumed they would run somewhere in the middle. Any insight into this would be great. As far as the cholesterol goes, really 133 is not too low?

[lola1973]

Just wondered if you could expand on above question.

[J_9]

Just wondered if you could expand on above question.

I am so sorry I have not gotten back to you. I am a labor and delivery nurse and the Christmas and New Years babies have us hopping right now. I have also been spending my off hours out in the community giving flu shots. So, as you can see, I have very little time for my children right now much less AMHD... LOL ;)

There really is no particular rhyme or reason as to why the counts fluctuate. It can be as simple as a simple case of dehydration or exposure to an illness you have had before that your body recognizes. As long as it is within the normal range there is nothing to be concerned about.

If the counts fall below the normal range, lymphocytes for example, we worry that your immune system is not functioning properly and that you can get sick from any illness you may come in contact with. If they fall above the range we can assume that you have an infection of some sorts somewhere in the body. Those two scenarios are when we start actively exploring possibilities.

[lola1973]

Thanks so much. I can only imagine how busy you are. So basically your lymphocytes can be at the low end of normal, but since they are normal there is no issue? So some people are on the lower end and some on there higher end? I feel fine, I just wondered why they were on the lowere end. I guess I need to stop worrying so much. Thanks so much

[J_9]

Yeah, hun, stop worrying. As long as they are in the normal range you are okay. Normal is different for everyone. In nursing we say that there is no such thing as normal as each individual is different, this is why the range is so wide.

You see, your lymphocytes are the parts of the white blood cell that fights infection. Your body is like a super computer if you will. If your body recognizes a virus or bacteria, the lymphocytes come out in force to fight that illness. If there is no illness, there is no reason for the lymphocytes to become active, therefore they lay back and wait for an illness before they start to multiply.

I would venture a guess to say that you are quite a healthy individual.