Low LYMPH%, i.e., low lymphocyte percentage, may be an absolute decrease in lymphocyte percentage due to a decrease in absolute lymphocyte values, or it may be a relative decrease in lymphocyte percentage.
Decreased lymphocyte percentage is mainly seen in treatment with application of adrenocorticotropic hormones, alkylating agents, antilymphocyte globulin, etc., as well as radiation injury, T-lymphocyte immunodeficiency disease, and gammaglobulin deficiency (B-lymphocyte immunodeficiency). These patients have a reduced absolute lymphocyte count, resulting in a reduced percentage of lymphocytes.
The total leukocyte count is the sum of neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts. A relative decrease in lymphocyte percentage results when diseases such as bacterial infections, myeloid leukemia, infectious mononucleosis, allergic reactions, and parasitic infections result in elevated counts of classified cells other than lymphocytes.
Patients with low lymphocyte percentage need to seek prompt medical attention to identify the specific cause of the disease and then treat the cause of the disease.