What Causes Low Lymphocyte Count?

Posted on Mon, 3 Aug 2015

Question: I recently received a CBC and my lymphocyte number and Mean Platelet Vol is flagged as low. Lymphocyte number is 1.09L with reference range of 1.2-3.4 . My Lymphocyte percent though is normal range at 20.6 reference range 20.5-51.1 . My white cell count is normal range 5.30 and red normal range at 4.93 . Mean Platelet Vol is 10.8 with reference range at 7.4- 10.4, It seems only slightly off but should lymphocyte number at 1.09L and Mean Platelet Vol at 10.8 be a concern?

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not a concern unless persistent

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The commonest cause for a mild decrease in lymphocyte count is a common Cold or upper respiratory infection. If the lymphocytopenia persists long then only other conditions have to be considered.
Increase in platelet volume (MPV) which is machine derived calculation means a faster turn over as can occur in conditions of increased production or destruction. Since your platelets count is normal, there may not be any reason to worry.
Check your CBC in a month and let me know.
Best wishes,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar