What Causes Lymphocytosis?
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Lymphocytosis is a medical condition characterized by elevated amounts of lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, in the body. There are three main types of lymphocytes: natural killer cells, T cells, and B cells. Each is important when it comes to defending the body from illness and disease. Therefore, lymphocytosis itself is not an illness. Rather, it is caused by an illness or other problem.
In order to be diagnosed with lymphocytosis, an adult must have a lymphocyte count over 4,000 per microliter. Typically, lymphocytosis does not have any symptoms, which means the only way to diagnosis it is to perform a blood test.
A variety of infections and diseases can cause lymphocytosis. Viral infections are the most common cause of lymphocytosis, with glandular fever being one of the main causes. Infection mononucleosis, also known simply as mono or glandular fever, generally affects adolescents and young adults and is spread through blood and saliva. Common systems include sore throat, fever, and fatigue.
Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis can also cause lymphocytosis. Tuberculosis is one of the most deadly modern day infectious diseases. It usually effects the lungs, though it may also effect the circulatory system, central nervous system, genitourinary system, lymphatic system, genitourinary system, and the bones and joints.
Blood diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other forms of leukemia are also possible causes of lymphocytosis. All forms of leukemia are a type of cancer, though the cancer may be located either in the blood or in the bone marrow. These types of cancer are often identified after diagnosing lymphocytosis.
In order to cure lymphocytosis, it is necessary to address the underlying health issue that has caused it to develop in the first place. Curing or treating the underlying cause of lymphocytosis will decrease the body’s need to produce more lymphocytes in order to protect the body from the illness, disease, or infection. Treating the problem to the point where lymphocytosis is cured does not, however, necessarily mean the underlying cause is completely eradicated from the body.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: anon17130
I haven't seen much medical feedback on this post, but my 13 month old daughter has been back and forth to the Dr. for blood tests over the last 3 weeks. She shows no sign of infection, we were in for a check-up and the Dr. did a CBC and her WBC came back at 16,800, so she did some tests and put her on aggressive antibiotics, but three days later her WBC was 21,000 and her lymphocytes were 90%. They sent us to a pediatric hematologist, and by the time we got admitted to the hospital her WBC was 24,000, but he said it wasn't leukemia....still no symptoms...is there a chance he could be wrong? I don't want to wait too long. Can someone give me advice on what it could be. All of the virus panels came back negative...no bacteria or leukocytes in urine or stool, no TB, EBV, or cytomegalovirus, no parvo...nothing. As of yesterday her lymphocytes were still above 80% of her WBC of 15,000+. What is going on?
Posted by: mitzi56
i too have been diagnosed with lymphocytosis as well as monophyctosis and one other that he named what does this all mean? they told me something about a high white blood count like im trying to fight off an infection. well each time i go to get blood work i always am fighting off a bladder infection or throat infection could this be the problem thats causing this ?
Posted by: anon13975
Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) can cause the promotion of lymphocytosis.
Posted by: Dalep535
To anon 623 --
I also was just diagnosed. My doctor had been noticing a "trend" and just told me since it seemed to be going up more quickly. First thing I mentioned and first thing he told me -- see a hematologist. Better safe than sorry. My understanding of it from the doctor is it can go on without really doing much for years -- or possibly not? I know they have to keep testing your blood. I will find out more when I go to the hematologist in a couple of weeks. I believe they will want a bone marrow biopsy and for that reason I am petrified to go! But at least let me tell you that the doctor's "version" was not nearly as bad as what you (we) are reading on the computer. According to him the chance of leukemia from this is about 10%. But again, I will be asking the hematologist. I don't know how long ago you wrote this...just came across it reading about this condition. Posted by: connie18
im 18 and was recently told i had lymphocytosis. i dont know what it is or how i got it. i get sick all the time an recently have been having lots of blood tests for my kidneys, and that's how it was found. i had a little look about it and now am really scared i have some thing really serious. and my doctor is a bit hard to understand. am i going to be ok ??
Posted by: anon6859
does anyone know what a lymphocytosis TVR blood test determines?
Posted by: babbo
i was just diagnosed today with lymphoproliferative disorder. i'm adopted so i know no medical family history, i'm 45 years old (female) and i'm a bit freaked about this. i'm going to a hematologist/oncologist in three weeks for a consult. common examples of lpd is cll, all, hairy cell leukemia, lymphomas, multiple myeloma. if anyone knows anything about this please respond. thanks, my wbc for at least one year has been between 11-15 (normal high is 10) and i have lymphocytosis as well.
Posted by: karsim
After doing my cbc, i found out that my lymphocytes are 62 %..way over the 20-40 range. However four doctors told me it isn't anything to worry about. Is that true? I have been having burning of the skin, fatigue, etc but they think it is due to depression. Do you think I have something to worry abut. Please help
Posted by: LadyWillow
My husband, last year had a cancer scare, when blood tests were taken for his yearly checkup. Tumors and/or nodules were found in the throat area.When the tests came back there were no cold spots and everything seemed ok.Yesterday he had a fall at work where he twisted his back severely enough for him to go to the hospital. He has never gone to the hospital before except to have his tonsils removed at the age of three, he is now in his 60th year. While a the hospital several tests were done showing everything ok but he would have a sore back for a while. Then the dr. said one of the separate tests, lymphocytic, for the WBC was a little high. Normal was 4 and my husband's was 4.9. She said not to be overly alarmed but should see his own family dr. She was very busy and I couldn't inform her of last years episode. Some my 2 questions are: What is classified as high and when should we be concerned?
Lady Willow Posted by: anon623
I have been diagnosed with lymphocytosis. My count is 4,500 and the doctor said not to be concerned and that it can stay that way for quite some time. She also said that it has been this high for about ten years, but she just told me last year. I am 61 years old and this is bothering me tremendously. All I read indicates that it can develop into some kind of cancer. I asked her if I should see a specialist and she said it wouldn't help. I have been in excellent health for all my life (with the exception of the last two years - having quite a bit of sinus infections and colds). Should I see a blood specialist or someone else? Or just wait to see if the count goes up (is it then too late)
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