Understanding Your Lymphocytes: What You Need to Know About Lymphocytes in Blood Tests

Lymphocytes are an important type of white blood cells play a critical role in your immune system. Having the right number of lymphocytes in your blood is essential for your health and well-being, so it’s important to know what lymphocytes are, what role they play in your body, and what a low or high lymphocyte count can indicate.

What Are Lymphocytes?

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a significant role in your immune system. They are responsible for producing antibodies that help protect your body from bacteria, viruses, and other toxins that could potentially cause infection or illness. Lymphocytes are primarily produced in the lymphatic system, which is made up of the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and lymph nodes. Lymphocytes form a large part of your body’s defense against disease and are also responsible for your body’s recall of infections and illnesses.

The Different Types of Lymphocytes

Even though they’re all considered white blood cells, there are two main types of lymphocytes in your body: B cells and T cells. B cells are responsible for the development of antibodies. They are the cells that recognize the foreign invaders in your body and create specific antibodies that work to fight them off. T cells, on the other hand, do not produce antibodies. Instead, they help regulate and maintain the immune system by destroying cells that have been contaminated by viruses or other toxins.

What Does a Lymphocyte Count Imply?

A lymphocyte count is typically a part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. This simple test is used to measure the number of lymphocytes in your blood stream. A normal lymphocyte range is 25-45% for adults over age 18 and 40-60% for children and teenagers. A low lymphocyte count, or lymphocytopenia, could indicate a variety of conditions and issues, including lymphoma, immune system diseases such as HIV, certain types of cancer, and certain medications that suppress the immune system. On the other hand, a high lymphocyte count (lymphocytosis) could indicate bacterial infection, viral infection, rheumatoid arthritis, or leukemia.

The Bottom Line

Lymphocytes are an essential type of white blood cell that helps your body recognize and destroy foreign invaders. It is important to know the role lymphocytes play in your body and to understand what a normal lymphocyte count should be. Having an understanding of what your lymphocyte count means can help you and your doctor recognize any signs of infection, cancer, or other illnesses.