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Low lymphocytes on regular physical done during throat infection

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I am a 40 year old male who just had an annual physical on 9/6/13. My doctor's offce called and said my bloodwork was "normal" excpet for a Vitamin D deficiency. However, when I received my lab notes today, the paper work shows low lymphocytes. The numbers are as follows:
WBC - 9.40
RBC - 6.06
HGB - 16.3
HCT - 47.2
MCV - 93.3
SEGS - 71
LYMPHS -14
MONOS - 12
EOS - 2
BASO - 0

From researching "low lymphocytes" I keep seeing AIDS and HIV as the cause. I'm concerned that my PCP did not address this low result. Just 60 days prior, I had another CBC where my lymphocytes were 30%. The day of my last blood test (with the low results) I was fighting a sinus infection (sore throat, post-nasal drip) and using Flonase nasal spray for my allergies. I also had an abcessing tooth (for which I had a root canal today). Could either of those cause the drop in lymphocytes? Why no concern from my PCP?

Following are all my current medications:

Flonase/Allegra (allergies), Simvastatin (high cholesterol), Doryx (rosacea), and Lansoprazole (acid reflux).

Thank you.

Category: Family Physician-GP

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 24 Doctors Online

Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

A lymphocytes value of “14” is the percentage of lymphocytes in the total white blood cell pool. White blood cells (WBCs) contain Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils and Moncytes. The proportion of these types of WBCs is dynamic. That means they are supposed to change in number as and when required by the body. For example when there is new infection or inflammation the neutrophils will increase in number on account of other cells. This is exactly what has happened in your case. The sinus infection and tooth abscess have caused increase in neutrophils on expense of lymphocytes.

This is normal and it actually indicates the WBC s are functioning NORMALLY ! Which is a good health indicator. So there is no reason for any concern at all.
Low lymphocytes may be found in HIV – AIDS and many other diseases. But in that case there will be other definite manifestation of the disease and suggestive blood investigations. There is nothing suggestive like that here.

Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you


Patient replied :

Of the lab results I mentioned, which number (abbreviation) represents the Neutrophils? The sinus infection has cleared and the tooth received a root canal yesterday. How long should I wait until getting another CBC?


SEGS is the Neutrophils.

SEGS - 71 + LYMPHS -14 + MONOS - 12 + EOS - 2 + BASO - 0 = ~ 100 % of WBCs

You can repeat the test after 4-6 weeks. (Although it is not necessary)
Hope this helps.
Thank you


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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