Is a Sudden Increase in Lymphocytes Normal? Blood Test Results - Family Medicine

Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Family Medicine

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Dear Mr.
Wu:
1.
The average number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the human body ranges from 4,000 to 11,000/mm³, with most only surviving for a few days; during an infection, they may only survive for a few hours.
White blood cells can be classified into two categories based on the presence or absence of granules in their cytoplasm: granulocytes and agranulocytes.
2.
Granulocytes include:
a.
Neutrophils: They account for approximately 50-70% of the total WBC count and are the most abundant type of white blood cell.
Neutrophils appear rapidly and increase in number during acute infections or inflammation; they possess chemotaxis, allowing them to migrate through the microvascular walls to the site of inflammation and phagocytize foreign pathogens or microorganisms.
b.
Eosinophils: Also known as eosinophilic leukocytes, they make up about 1-4% of the total WBC count.
Although eosinophils do not have a significant phagocytic function, they also exhibit chemotaxis and can release substances that kill parasites, as well as release antihistamines to reduce allergic reactions.
Therefore, an increase in their number may be associated with allergic reactions (such as asthma) or parasitic infections.
c.
Basophils: They constitute about 0.4% of the total WBC count and are the least abundant type of white blood cell.
In the early stages of an allergic reaction, basophils release histamine, causing local vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, which promotes allergic responses; they can also produce heparin to prevent coagulation.
3.
Agranulocytes include:
a.
Lymphocytes: They account for approximately 20-40% of the total WBC count and are derived from lymphoblasts, ultimately developing into B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes.
B lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes, with some differentiating into plasma cells that produce antibodies and participate in humoral immunity.
T lymphocytes mature in the thymus and are involved in cellular immunity.
b.
Monocytes: They make up about 2-8% of the total WBC count and are the largest in size.
During chronic inflammation, the number of monocytes significantly increases, and after circulating in the blood for 1-2 days, they enter tissues and organs, eventually transforming into macrophages, which are the most phagocytic type of white blood cell.
4.
Therefore, your lymphocyte count on August 9 was 33.09%, and on August 20, it was 50.31%.
Additionally, clinical considerations should include the total WBC count, the distribution of other white blood cell types, as well as the status of platelets and red blood cells.
This is an important aspect of hematology that must be taken into account.

What prompted you to see a physician? Are you experiencing any discomfort or symptoms? What findings were noted during the physical examination? Were there any other tests conducted? What are the normal reference ranges for the various test values from the laboratory? There are indeed many questions that need clarification.
Simply providing a distribution ratio of lymphocytes may not provide a complete understanding; clinical symptoms and physical examination findings are essential for all tests to be meaningful.
Please discuss this in detail with your attending physician before making any decisions.

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Reply Date: 2021/08/20