Low Lymphocytes after Chemo?

[K&R]

I just got back my blood work from my first (4 months post I/O) follow up - 2 months since my second Carbo treatment. During the chemo, my white blood count did dip (3.4), but on this test it has recovered back to just below normal (4.4). My neutrophils were at about 60%, and are now up to 70%. My question is about Lymphocytes -- mine were 28% (lympho count 1018) a month ago, but are now down to 17% -- lympho count 764. The doctor says its low, but nothing to get too concerned about - talking about retesting in 30 days. From what I've seen, chemotherapy can cause low Lympho counts "temporarily". I'm just curious what temporarily means. Anyone else have low lympho counts post-chemo? How long for them to recover? Anyone have insight to what is going on?

Kevin

BTW - haven't had CT yet, so don't have the complete follow-up news yet. Tumor markers were negative, but I didn't have any pre-I/O anyway.

[Paul54]

Kevin,
Every blood test I've ever had shows that one of the white blood cell types is a little low. When I asked, the explanation is that the most important number is the TOTAL white blood cell count. Usually in response to an infection or other pathogen, including pollen or other things you may be allergic to, one of the cell types increase to combat the invader so its percent of the total increases. This has the effect of lowering the percents of the others. I would be worried if any of the types were trending toward zero. I'm sure it's possible that chemo, even carbo, could throw the balance out of whack temporarily. Do you have another blood test scheduled?

[K&R]

My doctor also seemed most concerned about the total WBC, which is slowly climbing back to normal. The actual count of Lymphocytes has dropped, so it isn't just a matter of the percentages changing. My doc talked about retesting in a few weeks. I've done a bit more research and the levels can change, usually over a 4-6 week period, so perhaps it just happens to be a low point. I was mainly curious if others had seen the same kind of slow recovery. The lymphocytes are interesting because they originate in the lymphatic system, and not the bone marrow like most of the other WBCs.

Kevin