What does a low percentage of lymphocytes indicate

A low percentage of lymphocytes may indicate abnormal immune function, mainly related to factors such as the recovery period of viral infection, long-term stress, drug effects, radiation exposure, and certain blood diseases.

1. Recovery period of viral infection: After acute viral infection, lymphocytes will participate in the immune response in large quantities and be consumed, and there may be a temporary percentage decrease when entering the recovery period. For example, within 1-2 weeks after recovering from diseases such as influenza and chickenpox, blood tests often show a lymphocyte ratio lower than normal, usually accompanied by a compensatory increase in neutrophil ratio.

2. Chronic stress effects:

Long term mental stress or excessive fatigue can lead to elevated cortisol levels, inhibiting the generation and differentiation of lymphocytes. This type of physiological decrease is common in high-intensity workers or anxious individuals, and may be accompanied by sub-health symptoms such as sleep disorders and recurrent oral ulcers. 3. Drug factors: Glucocorticoid drugs such as prednisone and dexamethasone can directly inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, while chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide can also cause bone marrow suppression. Patients using immunosuppressants should regularly monitor their blood routine, and the necessity of medication adjustment should be evaluated when lymphocytes remain consistently low.

4. Radiation exposure:

Ionizing radiation can damage the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in the absolute value of lymphocytes. Occupational exposure or tumor radiotherapy patients may experience a synchronous decrease in lymphocyte percentage and absolute value, which usually takes 3-6 months to gradually recover. 5. Hematological disorders: Diseases such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome can directly affect lymphocyte production. This type of pathological decrease is often accompanied by abnormalities in multiple indicators such as hemoglobin and platelets, and requires further diagnosis through bone marrow puncture. When the percentage of lymphocytes is found to be low, it is recommended to improve the absolute value detection of lymphocytes to distinguish between true and false decreases. Regular daily routines should be maintained, and foods rich in high-quality protein and vitamin A such as eggs and carrots should be supplemented in moderation, avoiding raw and cold diets. Moderate low-intensity exercise such as Tai Chi and walking can help improve immune function, but it is necessary to avoid excessive exercise that exacerbates consumption. If accompanied by persistent fever, weight loss, or repeated infections, it is necessary to seek medical attention from a hematology department in a timely manner to screen for hematological diseases.