They help your body fight antigens, which are bacteria, viruses, and other toxins that make you sick. Your bone marrow constantly produces cells that will become lymphocytes.
Some will enter your bloodstream, but most will move through your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the group of tissues and organs, like the spleen , tonsils , and lymph nodes , that protect your body from infection 1. About 25 percent of the new lymphocytes remain in the bone marrow and become B cells.
The other 75 percent travel to your thymus and become T cells 2. Cytotoxic T cells, often called killer T cells, destroy cells in your body that have been infected with an antigen, cancer cells, and foreign cells like transplanted organs. Helper T cells direct the immune response of B cells and other T cells 2. Regulatory T cells suppress your immune system to keep its response in check.
In addition to preventing autoimmune disease , they also prevent other white blood cells from fighting real or perceived antigens. Perceived antigens include substances like allergens and normal flora bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Allergens are things that cause an allergic reaction, which could include pollen , molds , or pet dander 1 , 2. If you show symptoms of an infection and suspected blood disorder your overall lymphocyte count is abnormal.
If this is the case, your doctor may order a blood test called a B and T cell screen to count how many lymphocytes are in your bloodstream. Lymphocyte counts that are too high or too low can be a sign of illness. Learn more: B and T cell screen ». The blood is then sent to a laboratory where it will be analyzed. The results will be sent to your doctor. Ask your doctor when you should expect the results.
Depending on the lab, wait times can vary, but typically take no more than two to three days. There are a few things that can affect the results of your blood test. Some of them also develop into NK cells. How the lymphocyte behaves and what it does depends on which type of lymphocyte it is. T, B and NK cells each have different roles in the immune system. The main job of B cells is to help to make antibodies. These are proteins which the immune system produces to fight off invading viruses and bacteria.
There is a final, third type of lymphocyte, known as a natural killer NK cell. NK cells respond quickly to several foreign substances and are specialized in killing cancer cells and virus-infected cells. An absolute blood cell count is a part of the results of a blood test. It is when the number of cells is expressed as an absolute number, rather than as a percentage.
If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Lymphocytosis. Sections Basics Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Definition Causes When to see a doctor.
0コメント