High Lymphocyte Level

[Bwrd]

Has anyone experiences high lymphocyte levels and suffering from Hypothyroidism?

My docs just told my levels were high and I don't remember being ill at the time of the blood test, which has now got me worried!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bwrd

You may already know that raised lymphocytes indicate that your immune system is working to fight off infection. We can sometimes have very few or no symptoms when this happens and it often harmless and temporary.

However, if it continues to be raised (hopefully GP will check again) then he should look for underlying cause.

[Bwrd in reply to SeasideSusie]

Would autoimmune thyroiditis not be seen as a cause?

[tattybogle in reply to Bwrd]

don't know if it's of any interest at all but ..i found this ages ago (because i had slightly LOW lymphocytes for at least 5 years,, at same time as being diagnosed autoimmune hypo with very high TPOab 's)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... Effect of Thyroid Dysfunctions on Blood Cell Count and Red Blood Cell Indice~ Iranian Journal of pediatric hematology and oncology 2013

"............ With regard to lymphocytes, T3 is as a precursor substance for normal B cell formation in bone marrow through its mediation of pro-B cell proliferation. Therefore, thyroid disorders can induce different effects on various blood cell lineages (7-10). Hypothyroidism can cause various forms of anemia (normochromic-normocytic, hypochromic-microcytic or macrocytic) through reducing the oxygen metabolism. Microcytic anemia generally attribute to malabsorption of Iron and loss of Iron by menorrhagia, whereas, macrocytic anemia causes or induces malabsorption of vitamin B12 , folate, pernicious anemia and insufficient nutrition (10).

On the other hand, anemia frequently is not seen in patients with hyperthyroidism, while there were erythrocytosis in this situation, but when anemia present, may be morphologically similar to that observed in hypothyroidism. Patients with hypothyroidism have a decreased erythrocyte mass due to reduction of plasma volume and may undetectable by routine measurement such as hemoglobin concentration, whereas an increased erythrocyte mass is observed in most hyperthyroid patients (11-12) . Alteration in other hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (HG), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ,mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet count is associated with thyroid dysfunction is observed as well (9), but all changes return to normal if an euthyroid (normal) state is obtained. Pancytopenia is a rare side effect of that its cause is not well understood. Immunological mechanisms have been offered for decline of the life-span of erythrocytes and platelets (13).Because of high prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions in Iranian population, we attempted in the present study to evaluate the effect of thyroid dysfunctions particularly cells and red blood cells indices. "

I didn't understand much of it , and no one was ever bothered about my low lymphocytes. I do seem to remember that i did often find slight references to associations between HIGH lymphocytes and autoimmune hypo, but unfortunately i didn't save any other references.

[radd in reply to tattybogle]

tattybogle,

Lymphacytes are (immune system) white blood cells, not red.

Interesting article though revisiting the influence of low thyroid hormone on red blood cell formation and why so many hypos end up with weird cell shape, size and quantity ending up with various anemias.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bwrd]

I can't say for certain but I'm thinking no.

[radd in reply to Bwrd]

Bwrd,

Autoimmune thyrositis would most definately be seen as a cause for elevated lymphocytes.

It is these immune system white blood cells that infiltrate the thyroid gland, mistaking it for a foreign bacterial invader.

This damage causes a release of thyroid peroxidase &/or thyroglobulin into the blood stream. Thyroid antibodies are then made to mop up the mess.

Either you had an infection, cold, etc or a Hashi attack so mild you didn't even notice 😁.

This link is a post I wrote 2 years ago regarding the effects of Hashi on the immune system.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[Bwrd in reply to radd]

Thank you for this, it wouldn't surprise me if it was hash flare ups. I'm newly diagnosed, had a baby in July last year and had postpartum bloods done as my 31 year old sister had a heart attack just weeks before I have birth so they ran tests on me which happened to pick up (suspected genetic) high cholesterol and I was showing as Over active thyroid, so they suspected postpartum thyroiditis. I then when underactive and blood tests were showing antibodies so was diagnosed with Autoimmune Thyroiditis, started on 50mcg levo aswell as a course of Vit D as I was deficient. My bloods went back into range on 50mcg however T4 was still on the lower end of normal range, just started on 75mcg 2 days ago. Then a doc at my GP surgery spoke to me yesturday about bloods I had 4 weeks ago showing high lymphocytes, they asked if I was ill at the time, as far as I'm aware I wasn't but, they said they'll repeat bloods and refer me to haem if its still high, but mentioned nothing about this being linked to my thyroid. I think the fact that I'm newly diagnosed and just starting finding the right dose that this would definitely be a factor!

[radd in reply to Bwrd]

Bwrd,

Autoimmunity isn't usually a doctors strong point. They generally regard antibodies as meaningless because in their view treament is still the same whatever, ie thyroxine.

From a functional point of view reducing the antibodies and calming the immune response helps prevent bodily inflammation and other disease from occuring.

During pregnancy the body natuarily makes huge immune changes which can send a Hashi sufferer into remission for the duration. As pregnancy hormones reduce, many suddenly have Hashi (re)appear with postpartum hypo. But it can start or reappear at any time of hormonal flux, typically puberty, menopause, even every period.

Many immune cells have receptors for the steriod hormones (including O & P), but also the immune cells responsible for creating autoimmunity, ie elevated oestrogen can be a factor in the causation of a Hashi attack.

Sex hormones also activate some of specific genes that play a role in symptom flares. That is why many members find they become more Hashi symptomatic around their period time.

A good read for general Hashi stuff is 'The Root Cause' by Isabella Wentz. If you are going to increase your family size, another good read is 'Your Healthy Pregnancy With Thyroid Disease' by Dana Trentini and Mary Shomon.

There was a Radio 4 discussion last week on genetic high cholesterol. Previously I had never previously heard of it. How do you reduce? Also be aware that elevated cholesterol is also a hypo symptom but as your hypo was sudden onset this is unlikely the cause.

Unfortunately postpartum has a lower incidence of reversing when Hashi is involved. Ensure GP retests six weeks after every Levo dose change and adjusts dose accordingly. GP guidelines encourage to leave some short & as a general rule many function best with FT4 levels higher in range & TSH of around 1.0.

If you were deficient in Vit D, ask your GP to test Vit B12, folate and ferritin as these are essential cofactors in making thyroid meds work effectively.

Happy Sunday 😃