Scared! Blood work question.Slightly low lymph % but normal absolute lymph. What does it mean?!
Question: Scared! Blood work question.Slightly low lymph % but normal absolute lymph. What does it mean.?
I had a CBC done today. I am a hypochondriac and I am sitting here analyzing it because I can't help myself. It's too late to call the doctor so until tomorrow morning I have a question!.....
My lymphocyte percentage is slightly low (18%) when the paper says normal is 20%-50%. However my absolute lymphocyte # is 1.6 when the paper says normal is 1.2 - 3.4.
I have been googling this for about an hour and I am scaring myself. Is this a really bad sign.?.? I've read that as long as the absolute lymphocyte number is good, then you're okay. I don't know!
Any ideas.?Health Question & Answer
My lymphocyte percentage is slightly low (18%) when the paper says normal is 20%-50%. However my absolute lymphocyte # is 1.6 when the paper says normal is 1.2 - 3.4.
I have been googling this for about an hour and I am scaring myself. Is this a really bad sign.?.? I've read that as long as the absolute lymphocyte number is good, then you're okay. I don't know!
Any ideas.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
You are fine. The "normal" values are derived from statistical analyses of the population, so for you to be 2% lower than the almost arbitrary 20% is nothing to worry about, especially if everything else on the CBC was normal. Depending on which lab processes your bloodwork, their "normal" values may vary slightly as well. People that have something to worry about would see abnormalities in more than 1 cell line from their CBC (RBCs low, platelets low) and the difference from normal would be more pronounced (like a value of 3% instead of 20%). Try not to worry about it, and if you need some verbal reassurance, call the doctor in the morning :-)
Good luck!Health Question & Answer
Good luck!Health Question & Answer
Even though your lymphocyte percentage is low it doesnt mean that there is anything wrong with you. since your absolute lymphocyte reading is in the normal ranges everything should be fine. There are many things that could have caused the low percentage reading including stress and hydration during the time the test was taken. Don't worry, theres nothing wrong with youHealth Question & Answer
You can call a Walgreen's pharmacistHealth Question & Answer