One group of leukocytes are lymphocytes. To deal with the peculiarities of the human immune system, you need to understand, what lymphocytes in a blood test, which indicates a deviation of concentration from established norms. It is the white blood cells responsible for recognition of foreign agents caught in the body. When viral, bacterial, allergic, fungal diseases in the general analysis of blood can be seen that the cells increased.
Norm and deviation
In accordance with established standards lymphocyte content may vary from 20 to 70% of the total number of leukocytes for each established their age norm. The growth of concentration indicates the development of the inflammatory process in the body.
There are 3 kinds of lymphocytes:
- T cells;
- B-lymphocytes;
- NK-cells.
For immunity at the cellular level are responsible T-cells. They should be about 50-70% of the total. Among the T cells secrete:
- killers;
- helpers;
- suppressors.
Called killer cells which destroy the identified defective elements by direct contact. Helpers are assistants who report on penetration into the body of foreign proteins. Under the effect of increased levels of suppressor lymphoid cells they regulate the strength of the immune response.
Number of B-lymphocytes in the body in adults is in the range of 8-20%. They are responsible for the work of humoral immunity (antibody production). Neutralize pathogens B-lymphocytes by protective proteins or antibodies. Repeated penetration of alien microbes immune cells to neutralize them quickly.
To cope with the bacteria, which can hide from the killers, the power of NK-cells. they also destroy degenerated pathogens. The total content of the above form 5-20% of the cells.
There are other varieties of lymphoid cells, but their number is insignificant.
adults
Understand that lymphocytes increased in the adult, it is possible for a blood test. Normally, their number should be at the level of 1-4.5 * 109 / L. The relative amount of lymphocytes for people over 18 years of age should be between 20-38%.
Elevated levels of lymphocytes in the blood should be alerted. But to clarify the diagnosis is not enough to know that elevated white blood cells. Rate it necessary, as changed WBC.
children
The content of lymphocytes in children varies depending on age.
| Age, years | The absolute value of 109 / l | The relative content,% |
| Up to 1 | 4-10,5 | 12-74 |
| 1-4 | 2-7,8 | 26-60 |
| 4-6 | 1,5-7 | 22-48 |
| 6-10 | 1,6-6,4 | 30-48 |
| 10-16 | 1-4,7 | 22-50 |
High-lymphocytes are the norm for children from 1 month to 1 year. The highest allowable amount in the specified age - 74% in relation to all white blood cells.
Why increased lymphocytes
Deal with the reasons for the increase of lymphocytes is desired, together with the doctor. Among the main factors causing their level of growth is called:
- infectious lesions (viral, bacterial);
- autoimmune diseases;
- acute allergic reactions;
- emergence and growth of malignant tumors;
- postoperative conditions;
- malnutrition, starvation;
- neurasthenia;
- helminth infections;
- use of certain medications.
Pronounced lymphocytosis is observed in diseases that can be transmitted 1 time (measles, chicken pox, measles, monokulez).
Organ transplant, their concentration begins to actively grow. In such cases, doctors selected drugs that suppress the immune system. Otherwise achieve engraftment of transplanted organs and tissues will be impossible. Lymphoid structural elements will reject them.
A significant change in the content of white blood cells observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this state, leukocytosis accompanied by decrease of platelets and erythrocytes.
Elevated levels of lymphocytes in the blood occurs when ingested pathogens Chlamydia, tuberculosis, syphilis, pertussis. Inflated figures are for respiratory infections. AIDS, in addition to lymphocytosis, a decrease in the level of neutrophils and platelets. It made a special analysis to clarify the said diagnosis.
An excess of white blood cells observed in these autoimmune diseases: rheumatism, thyrotoxicosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, chronic dermatitis.
To determine the exact cause of lymphocytosis enough to know that their content is above the norm. To establish the diagnosis the physician has to assess the leukocyte formula, and determine the relative or absolute lymphocytosis patient.
With relative lymphocytosis of lymphocytes in quantitative terms does not significantly changes, but their share is increased by reducing the number of other cells - segmented or band neutrophils, Monocytes.
The relative increase in the level typical for:
- viral infections;
- rheumatic diseases;
- hyperthyroidism;
- splenomegaly.
Absolute lymphocytosis diagnosed when many lymphocytes as a result of analysis of the patient. Their content exceeds the specified limit of 4.5 * 109 / l. High level typical for people who have removed the spleen. If a person has increased lymphocytes in the blood, then it is probable that he had one of these pathologies:
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
- lymphoma;
- Hodgkin's disease;
- tuberculosis;
- whooping cough;
- cytomegalovirus;
- brucellosis;
- bronchial asthma;
- toxoplasmosis;
- hepatitis;
- radiation sickness.
The reasons for the increased number of lymphocytes in both men and women may differ. If their content is increased slightly, it is recommended to monitor the status. Changes in the level of UAC lym possible after diseases. The indicators are normalized within a few weeks.
men
When detecting that the blood of men increased lymphocytes, they say that you must pass a comprehensive examination. In addition to laboratory sometimes recommend the use of instrumental methods of diagnosis. In identifying the reasons it is necessary to take into account also the patient's medical history and complaints.
Patients who have elevated white blood cell count in percentage or absolute terms, it is recommended to examine the inguinal, cervical, axillary, hilar lymph nodes.
When lymphocytosis they grow, become painful, the skin temperature at their location can be improved.
Increase in blood lymphocytes in men can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- lack of appetite;
- the emergence of a feeling of weakness;
- general deterioration of health.
If no complaints male physician may recommend control state periodically donating blood count. If the content of the cells of the immune system is much more than the norm, it is desirable to eliminate infectious, autoimmune, allergic diseases and cancer.
Among women
Increase in blood tests concentration of lymphoid cells in women spoke about the development of infectious diseases, autoimmunity, or allergic reactions. But increased lymphocytes in the blood of women are not always a sign of pathology.
Patients who are in their reproductive years, may be faced with the fact that over the cycle number of lymphoid cells varies. It affects their content female menstrual cycle. If the change in the number of lymph in the blood of women is insignificant, then no reason to worry. To clarify the status of doctors recommend patients to re-make the KLA a few weeks. Cyclical changes in the patients should not be after 50 years, at this age they occur menopause.
Levels in women may increase during the period before menstruation. This does not mean that any health problems. But to assess the state to check how things have changed WBC, by reducing some of the structural elements of blood began to rise relative content of white cells.
For the amount of blood components that provide immunity to work, you must follow during pregnancy. Increased lymphocytes expectant mothers in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage. If they increase, there is a threat of destruction alien to the parent cell body.
children
Causes of lymphocytosis have diverse children. In patients under one year increase in the concentration of white blood cells it is physiological. He is due to take place in the body changes and the restructuring of the hematopoietic system.
If not only increased lymphocytes in the child, but also to change other parameters, you must make sure that he is not sick. Among the causes of change, often referred to as the following:
- respiratory diseases, the condition worsens in sickly children;
- pyo-inflammatory processes;
- bronchial asthma;
- allergies;
- leukemia.
For installation reasons common pathology analysis may be insufficient. Be aware that some children change in the concentration of white cells is a specific feature of an organism.
What to do
In identifying elevated lymphocytes in the blood of adult or child's doctor should decide on further examinations tactics. First, you need to identify the disease, which is the appearance of elevated lymphocyte.
If the white blood cell count began to rise, which means that the work of the body is broken. Treatment should not be directed at reducing the concentration of white blood cells, and to normalize health, disposal of diseases.
Depending on the condition your doctor may recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs, if elevated blood lymphocytes of an adult and there are signs of activation of the inflammatory process. In viral diseases is assigned to antiviral therapy. When bacterial infections selected antibiotics. Specific treatment is necessary if the cause of a large amount of lymphocytes become autoimmune processes.
Patients with cancer pathologies the treatment strategy chosen individually. Most patients receive chemotherapy, radiation, some recovery is required for bone marrow transplantation. After radiation therapy in cancer patients there is lymphopenia, reduced the number of lymphoid cells, the immune system stops working. Increase blood lymphocytes in men and women with cancer can be, revising the diet, lifestyle, adding vitamins diet. Actions should be aimed at strengthening the body's defenses.
What is dangerous
Increasing concentrations of lymphoid cells is a symptom of problems within the body. When persistent increase in their number we must first find out whether the patient is struck:
- viral hepatitis;
- tuberculosis;
- infectious mononucleosis;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- endocrine diseases;
- lymphocytic leukemia.
These diseases are dangerous for the body of the male and female increased lymphocyte concentration also in allergic reactions.
Assess the impact of lymphocytosis possible after identifying the underlying pathology. Increase of lymphocytes is not an independent disease, so it is important to determine the consequences of the diagnosis. No treatment results in a deterioration state. Some diseases can be fatal. The most dangerous are the oncological pathology, infectious liver disease. Thyroid abnormalities impair the quality of life for patients.
prevention
To prevent the increase in the absolute or relative level of lymph necessary to monitor the state of health, strengthen the immune system. It should be understood that the lymphocytosis - a sign of disease, and not a diagnosis. Increased lymphocytes in case of allergies, cancer, infectious and autoimmune diseases. In order to prevent its occurrence should:
- stick to an active lifestyle;
- eat right;
- minimize the amount of stress;
- do sport;
- tempered.
In the formation of immunity play an important role nutrition. Emphasis needs to be done for vegetables, fresh fruits, lean meats, fish, cereals.
When the state of health deterioration should immediately seek medical attention. If the concentration of lymphocytes slightly increased, it is sufficient to control the condition. If significant deviations from the norm need to be surveyed to identify the underlying disease that is the cause of leukocytosis.
