Through a routine blood work, results showed my lymphocytes exceeded the normal range of 3.5. Based off the report and the pathologists notes, it says lymphocytosis.
The pathologist also suggested a reactive cause. However, I have not gotten sick and do not have any chills or fever. I’ve had quite a few symptoms which took me to a rheumatologist. But nothing has been identified yet.
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simit
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Hi I note that you don't have a diagnosis of CLL or other blood cancer, hence possibly your concern in posting here that perhaps developing a blood cancer might be causing your currently higher than normal lymphocyte count. First off blood cancers are rare, which is something you are unlikely to learn from an internet search on lymphocytosis, because Google, etc tend to show results of interest, not likelihood. You've noted that your pathologist suggested the cause was most likely reactive and it's important to appreciate that you can have temporary lymphocytosis without being aware of any illness, termed a sub-clinical infection. Have you been vaccinated lately? Vaccinations work by stimulating lymphocyte production, which the new lymphocytes going on to produce antibodies, or maturing into memory lymphocytes, so you can fight off an infection without being aware of it - such as the large percentage of people who get asymptomatic COVID-19 infections.
The standard approach with lymphocytosis, is to repeat the blood test after a month or so and check if it has resolved, which it usually does. Leukaemias and lymphomas cause a build up of identical (clonal) lymphocytes and if other possible more likely causes have been eliminated, your doctor should either refer you to a specialist or perhaps arrange an immunophenotype flow cytometry test, to determine if a clonal expansion is causing your lymphocytosis.
In the unlikely event your lymphocytosis is due to CLL, you've found a good community here.
Neil
PS Don't believe the survival statistics on Google as they are way out of date!
The lymphocytosis is more than likely self limiting, meaning the lymphocytes that were increased took care of whatever needed reacted to before it could make you sick. Not sure you have any other factors that would indicate other than that possibility. And, next time you have another blood test, levels will most likely be back to normal.
We are a group of blood cancer patients and experience much more elevated lymphocytes that have to be seen to be elevated beyond the upper limit of normal for more than one time in say, several consecutive draws from 3 to 6 months apart.
I hope you can rest from your worry in regard to one reading the Dr. has said is reactive and has not said it is pathological.
Thanks for the replies! It really does help! I’ve had high lymphocyte count for a while, it went down by a 0.2 but then jumped from 4.3 to 5.6. I guess that got me worried, but I’m glad I have nothing much to worry about
My numbers are similar to yours. I've been under observation and regular blood draws for 2 years at which point the hematologist decided to do a flow cytometry test and voilà, HCMBL. That's CLL apprenticeship in case you wonder 😕
Only Simit is 19 and the incidence of CLL in those under 20 is negligible, with half of CLL cases diagnosed in those 71 and older. Acute leukaemias are far more common at Simit's age, and the lymphocyte count would be climbing quickly in this case.
Prior to my diagnosis an elevated white cell count was picked up during routine medical. As stated this can be due to a infection or injury and is normal. The test was repeated so I was referred to haematology who did a few tests and gave me a CLL diagnosis. I'm sure there can be many reasons other than CLL generating this symptom but the important thing is you're in the system and all will become clear. For me it was daunting and of course scary but less so now as I understand more. I am in good health and have been spurred on to live better and stress less and bizarrely am happier than I've been in a long time.
I get so confused. When you say lymphocyte count do you mean the one that says lymphocytes POC or lymphocytes Absolute POC? I was under the impression that during watch and wait, the WBC count is important - (small increases), as well as RBC staying in a good range. Tx for feedback, this is new for me.
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