Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) in Nahur East, Mumbai

White Blood Cells (WBCs) are a type of blood cells found in the bloodstream and lymph tissues. They're an essential part of the immune system, which helps the body combat infections and diseases.

There are various kinds of WBCs, including:

• Granulocytes with neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils 
• Monocytes 
• Lymphocytes comprising B cells and T cells

The lymphocyte imbalance can cause it to be lower or higher than the standard range. When the WBC count is low, it is termed as lymphocytopenia, on the other hand, higher WBC count is categorized as lymphocytosis. Both of these conditions can occur in chronic as well as acute forms.

Even though higher lymphocytes after an illness is a good sign of better recovery of the body. Any change in normal circumstances in lymphocyte count reflects a weakened immune system. The imbalance of white blood cells in lymphocytosis can be a result of chronic underlying diseases such as:

• Bacterial, viral or other infection
• Lymphatic system cancer 
• Autoimmune disorder leading to chronic inflammation 
• Acute lymphocytic leukaemia 
• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia 
• CMV infection 
• Hepatitis A, B and C 
• HIV/AIDS 
• Lymphoma 
• Hypothyroidism 
• Mononucleosis 
• Syphilis 
• Tuberculosis 
• Whooping cough

The main symptoms of higher lymphocytes are: 

• Severe pain 
• Swelling in lymph nodes in armpits, neck and stomach 
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent fever
• Night sweats 
• Loss of appetite 
• Infection 
• Fatigue
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Bodily inflammation

The occurrence of low lymphocytes is more common in individuals with: 

• Recent infection 
• Medication allergies or reaction
• Long-lasting inflammatory medical conditions
• Severe illness 
• Spleen removal

Lower lymphocytes range can be attributed to a different range of factors such as: 

• Aplastic anaemia 
• Leukaemia 
• Depletion of lymphocytes faster than the production 
• Trapping of lymphocytes in spleen or lymph nodes 
• Genetic conditions 
• Diseases like AIDS 
• Protein-energy undernutrition 
• Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 
• Ebola virus disease 
• Measles
• Hepatitis 
• Cancer treatments 
• Chronic stress 
• Therapeutic treatment includes cytotoxic drugs and corticosteroids 
• Lymphoma
• Kidney failure

Severe or chronic low counts indicate an infection and illness which requires medical intervention. The main symptoms to be observed in the patient with low lymphocytes include: 

• Chronic fever
• Persistent cough
• Enlarged lymph nodes 
• Small tonsils 
• Painful and swollen joints 
• Night sweats
• Unexplainable weight loss 
• Skin rashes

Upon analysis of the current symptoms and previous medical history of the patient, a doctor recommends Absolute Lymphocyte Count (ALC) test. The patient is required to provide a blood sample for the diagnosis.

A qualified lab technician extracts the blood of the patient through the venipuncture technique. The procedure accounts for a maximum of 15 minutes which involves properly cleaning the body part with antiseptic. Through the usage of a surgical needle, the blood is withdrawn from a visible vein of the patient to store in an airtight vial for inspection.

The procedure causes minimal side effects like slight bruising and mild pain at the extraction site. However, in certain patients, such as with blood disorders, the side effects can turn severe. If the symptoms do not alleviate within 1-3 days, the patient is advised to consult a doctor.

Apollo 24|7 provides a range of advanced laboratories spread across the country for a timely diagnosis and accurate results of ALC testing. After observing the symptoms and test results, the medical practitioner prescribes treatments, including medications, changes in diet plans, and so on.