Lymphocytopenia - anyone know why?

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I've just had a full blood count, due to some sort of IBS/ bowel related issues, am under some stress and am still breastfeeding although have been advised to stop as I am quite run down...just can't stop, he screams, I get even more stressed and less sleep.

ANYway,
rang up for results and was told they want to repeat it.

They tested for U&E, ESR (inflammation?) and FBC, and I was told that the things that looked to be borderline or low are

HB (yes, I feel anaemic! makes sense)
MCHC - also to do with iron deficiency I think?
Hemocrit - 0.355, should be .36-46

and Lymphocytes, which are 0.8 and ought to be between 1.5 and 4.0.

I just googled lymphocytopenia and got a whole load of stuff about HIV and cancer

I had an HIV test a few weeks ago and it was negative, so I'm wondering if there's anyone clever on MN who can help me stop freaking out...I'd be really grateful.

Can it just be caused by stress or being run down?

Thankyou x

Also if I am having bowel issues, I thought the ESR would be up as it definitely is inflammation I think, but they didn't say that particular test was of concern on the paperwork.

I'm a bit baffled and wish I hadn't looked on google!

Lymphocytes can go down after a viral infection, and can also be low in afro-carribeans - not sure if that applies to you. Also some drugs can make them go down. The other values sound like they are due to iron deficiency anaemia - have you tried Spatone or Floradix? (get your iron up a bit without making you constipated). You should make an appointment with your GP - non-urgent! - to chat through the blood test results. Stop googling - urgent!

Thankyou Smellyeli

So far I also have renal failure according to google so will stop now...

I have had a bad cold this week, but secretary at GP's said that shouldn't affect results.

I'm not Afro caribbean and not taking anything,

I was told to stop taking iron a few weeks ago when I was on drugs for bowel infection, so haven't taken it since - maybe I'll be allowed to now. I have two boxes of spatone waiting in the kitchen!

Anyone else had this, and got ideas about what it might mean?

BTW, have you been tested for coeliac disease? That can cause anaemia, bowel symptoms and white blood cell abnormalities - ask your GP when you see them. It's usually an antibody blood test but 1% are false negative, so further tests might be needed.

Don't want to make you worry more, but it's something to consider and easily treated.

Thankyou, I didn't know that - though I assumed it would have shown up when I was younger, if I was allergic to gluten? Can it have a late onset?

I'll mention it to GP anyway - I appreciate the suggestion. Would be a relief if it was - I've been lying awake worrying about worse things iyswim.