Low lymphocyte count can be caused by diseases, medications, and cancer. Infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers can lead to this symptom. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause. Regular checkups can help detect any problems before serious complications develop.
There are several possible causes for a low lymphocyte count, including disease processes and the use of certain medications. Infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and some forms of cancer often lead to this symptom. The use of steroid drugs is sometimes responsible for developing a lower than normal lymphocyte count. Treatment focuses on proper medical management of the underlying cause of the low lymphocyte count.
In many cases, a low lymphocyte count is due to the presence of an infectious disease. Some of the specific diseases that are known to lead to this symptom include AIDS, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, more commonly known as AIDS, is a serious complication of a virus known as HIV that causes destruction of the patient’s immune system. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if not properly treated. Viral hepatitis is a form of liver disease that can lead to liver cancer, especially if left untreated.
A variety of autoimmune diseases can cause low lymphocyte counts, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus causes inflammation in various organs of the body and can be fatal in severe cases. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that destroys the protective covering of nerves and can cause varying degrees of physical disability. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to chronic inflammation of the joints and can cause joint pain and deformity.
Cancer, especially forms of cancer that affect the blood, are possible causes of low lymphocyte counts. Leukemia and lymphoma are commonly associated with this symptom. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the standard treatment options for these cancers, and the treatments themselves can cause lymphocyte counts to drop further. Steroid drugs are used to treat different types of inflammatory conditions and can cause a temporary drop in the number of lymphocytes in the blood.
Most cases involving low lymphocyte counts are not serious and can be treated successfully with antibiotics or other medications. Simple blood tests can detect this condition, often leading to further tests to determine the underlying cause. In many situations, there are no obvious symptoms, so regular checkups with a doctor can help detect any problems before serious complications develop.
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