Low lymphocytes and lymph nodes

[RuptureMaster]

Hi,

Over the last two years I've had array of things go wrong, from getting a pacemaker at age 22 for low heart rate, to low blood pressure, to now tachycardia events (so am on betablocker), to finally a diagnosis of Celiac Disease in November.

Over these two years, I've always been either mildy anemic or borderline low, never any higher. Also my WBC has always been between 4.0-6.5 and I've had chronic mildly low lymphocytes during this time.

Over the last few months I had an ultrasound that found Lymph nodes in my neck (largest 1.4cm x 0.8cm) and in my armpit (largest 2.5 x 0.8cm). The ultrasound also found an 8mm thyroid nodule. I was scheduled for an FNA of the nodule, but over a month the nodule now appears to no longer be there, but I have had a more worrisome looking nodule starting to grow on the right side at 6mm (hypoechoic and ill-defined margins).

During the time of all these findings my Absolute Lymphocyte count has gone done from 1100 to 900 to now 650 (reference range 1500-4000), while my WBC count has stayed the same at around 5.5 (ref range 4 - 11). My GP is getting a little concerned as why my lymphocytes continue to go down while my WBC stays the same, as usually with an infection your WBC goes up. I am scheduled for a biopsy of my armpit lymph node but I am not worried since the ultrasound said it didn't appear to be malignant.

I have just felt really worn down of the last few months, not sick, just really weak. Does anybody have any experience with numbers like this or have any advice on how I should go about looking into this?

Here are my latest lab results from Tuesday.

WBC: 5.76 (range 4 - 11)
ABS Neutrophils: 4.19 (ref range 2.0 - 6.3)
ABS Lymphocytes: 0.65 (ref range 1.5 - 3.5)
ABS Monocytes: 0.57 (ref range 0.2 - 0.8)
ABS Eosinophils: 0.31 (ref range 0.04 - 0.4)
ABS Basophils: 0.03 (ref range 0.00 - 0.1)

RBC: 4.3 (ref range 4.3 - 5.6)
Hemoglobin (HGB): 135 (range 130 - 170)
Hematocrit (HCT): 38.5 (range 40 - 50)
PLT: 190 (range 140-400)

B12: 276 (range 220 - 1000)
Ferritin: 71 (range 50-80=reduced, >80=normal)

 

[arabesque [once more]]

I was just dx’d with celiac a couple weeks ago- I still have to have the endoscopy to confirm which I am doing next week.

Your post sounds a little familiar with a few of the things you are dealing with. I had a few of the same issues that led me to my celiac diagnosis. I had 2 unexplained enlarged left axillary lymph nodes- one was 1.8cm and the other was 2.1cm. They were enlarged from January to May and we almost did the biopsy because of the lymphoma concern- actually I wanted a biopsy, my Dr (an oncologist) didn’t want to do that since they looked benign from the CT scan and ultrasound. I guess if they have fatty centers that is usually benign. I also had 2 thyroid nodules a couple years ago and on the follow up U/S this past spring they were both gone.

My lymphocyte count is normal and so is my WBC, so I am not sure why your L-count is low. Maybe there is a celiac connection with the lymph nodes though? They never could figure out why mine were enlarged.

Are you on the gluten free diet?

 

[Jalyssa M]

Thanks for the response.

First off, I'm glad to see you're in the right direction of getting a diagnosis. Yes, I am on a gluten free diet for life. It is tough at first, but it will get easier. Celiac seems to affect the body in strange ways as we have shared a similar story. I have felt generally unwell in the last 2 years, drag my feet most days, how has your energy level been? I'm not too concerned about the lymph nodes, as the ultrasound looks benign, but I am concerned about how fast the thyroid nodule grew since it has signs of malignant characteristics and I'm concerned with the suppressed immune system with a low lymphocyte count, but don't kno what is causing it. Oh well, I'll get an answer soon. Best of luck to you.